Philippines – COVID-19: Expanded Travel Restrictions

PH – COVID-19: Expanded Travel Restrictions

Given recent developments in the evolution of the global coronavirus pandemic, the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration issued new travel restrictions. The restrictions cover foreign nationals regardless of visa category and include visa holders who have been previously allowed to enter the Philippines by virtue of special exemptions.

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Flash Alert 2021-009

In compliance with the resolution issued by Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to prevent the spread of the new COVID-19 B117 strain, the Bureau of Immigration issued new travel restrictions.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The restrictions cover foreign nationals regardless of visa category and include visa holders who have been previously allowed to enter the Philippines by virtue of special exemptions.  The restrictions also affect the return of foreign national employees who left the Philippines for the holidays.

Employers should make the necessary changes to the travel plans and employment arrangements of their foreign national employees who are not able to enter the Philippines until the new restrictions are lifted or eased.

Travel Restrictions in the Philippines

Effective 30 December 2020 to 15 January 2021, foreign nationals from the following countries shall be banned from entering the Philippines:1

Flash Alert 2021-009 Chart

The prohibition in respect of entering the Philippines applies to all foreign nationals of the listed countries regardless of visa category (including 9E Visa) or previously-issued endorsement or exemption from the Department of Foreign Affairs or Balikbayan privileges.  Individuals who are coming from or who have been to the listed countries within 14 days prior to arrival in the Philippines shall not be allowed entry except those who only transited at the airport with no immigration admission to the country.

The travel restriction excludes returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who will be allowed to enter the country after undergoing a facility-based 14-day quarantine period. 

FOOTNOTES

1  See IATF Resolution No. 90 .

2  See BI Public Advisory posted in the official Facebook page of the Bureau of Immigration on 29 December 2020.

3  See BI Public Advisory posted in the official Facebook page of the Bureau of Immigration on 2 January 2021.

*  Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services.  However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.   

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the Philippines.

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GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

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