27/10/2020
Detailed Philippine travel procedures by a U.S. Immigration Attorney who traveled to the Philippines from Los Angeles, CA.
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I was filled with anxiety a few days prior to my Oct. 22 flight to Manila. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, I have not traveled internationally since January 2020. The thought of being in a plane for more than 13 hours made me nervous. I decided to take a direct flight from LAX to MNL via Philippine Airlines.
Here’s a step by step narration of my travel experience to serve as a guide to Filipino-Americans wanting to fly to the Philippines but uncertain of the procedures and requirements.
1. Who can travel to the Philippines?
As of my flight date - Oct. 22, 2020, only DUAL citizens (ex. US and PH), Filipino passport holders, and foreign passport holders with a Philippine visa (including spouses and children of Filipinos) are allowed to enter the Philippines.
TIP: Always contact your airline to ask for the current entry requirements. Rules can quickly change.
2. Are there needed pre-departure preparations?
Yes.
a) Look at the list of accredited hotels for the 2 days quarantine requirement while waiting for the mandatory swab test result. Book the hotel and arrange for a hotel pickup service (you can also hire an airport shuttle but I found it more convenient to book the transpo ahead) prior to flying to the Philippines.
I asked PAL and the hotel if private cars were allowed for pickup at the airport and transport to the hotel - No. Transport from Terminal 2 must be by hotel service or approved airport shuttle service.
TIP: Book the hotel and arrange for transpo service early. Airport officials verify hotel bookings. You cannot leave the airport without a verified hotel and transpo.
b) As early as 3 days before departure, complete the required PAL form which will produce the needed barcode upon arrival in Manila. https://bit.ly/MNLPALeCIF. Visit the PAL website for more details on non-OFW arrival requirements.
TIP: Complete the registration as early as possible. I completed the registration in LAX while in line for the check-in counter. Save the QR code generated to avoid delays and for faster processing when in Manila.
c) Purchase a FACE SHIELD. A face shield is required by PAL in flight and by the PH government once in Manila. Check with your airline if you are not taking PAL.
3. Check-In Procedures
a) PAL representative will ask for your PH passport, certificate of reacquisition of citizenship or PH visa in order to travel to the Philippines.
b) Two extra forms will be given - the registration instructions and the PAL Health Screening Form. Health Screening Form will be submitted prior to boarding the plane.
4. Flight
There were noticeable changes due to COVID.
a) Health Screening Form must be submitted prior to boarding.
b) You cannot freely change (if at all allowed) seats or move to a vacant seat due to Contract Tracing rules. Flight attendants are strict about this.
c) Face shield and mask are a MUST throughout the duration of the flight unless when eating or drinking.
d) No more beverages chart service. Instead, a 1-liter bottle of water was given shortly after takeoff.
e) 6 Forms will be provided shortly after takeoff for completion prior to landing. COMPLETE THE FORMS no IFs and BUTs.
Health Declaration Card
Arrival Card
Customs Form
Case Investigation Form (Red Cross)
Affidavit of Undertaking
IATF Declaration Form
5. Landing and Arrival
BE PATIENT. Do not immediately stand up and get your bags. There are new protocols prior to allowing you out of the plane.
a) Coast Guard and Health Officers will board the plane upon landing. The Coast Guard will collect the Health Declaration Card from every passenger. Each passenger will also undergo a temperature check prior to deplaning.
b) Deplaning is done row by row.
6. Terminal 2 Arrival at NAIA
Upon arrival, there will be two separated sections – OFW and Non-OFW. I will be writing about my non-OFW arrival experience.
a) Passengers will be asked to sit at the gate area (row by row) for the payment of the required Swab Test. Passengers must have their Registration QR code before payment.
b) Payment of Swab Test. Passport will be requested and boarding pass. QR code will be scanned and information verification will be conducted. Swab test was Php4,000.00. Cash or credit card can be used for payment. After payment, a receipt and 3 stickers will be given.
c) Swab Test. Passport will be requested. QR code will be scanned and stickers must be given. 3 uncomfortable swabs will be performed - mouth and then both nostrils will be swabbed. I immediately received an e-mail confirming that a specimen record was created for me and to expect the results in 24-48 hours.
d) Immigration. After the Swab Test, I was directed to proceed to the Immigration Check. I presented both my passports and both passports were stamped with arrival stamps.
e) Baggage Claim Area. After Immigration, I was not allowed to get my luggage yet. I was directed to proceed to the Hotel Verification area. There, I presented my Hotel and Transportation Reservation. I also was required to sign the Affidavit of Undertaking. The Verification Desk stamped the Affidavit. I was instructed to submit the Affidavit to the Coast Guard prior to leaving the Terminal.
f) Baggage Pick-Up. Passengers were no longer waiting by the carousel for the bags. Airport porters have all the bags lined up already and they get the bags for the passengers.
g) Customs. Coast Guards were manning the Customs Desk. I was asked for the Affidavit of Undertaking which I handed to them. They warmly welcomed me to Manila.
h) Transportation. Outside the Terminal – Bay 14, a Coast Guard asked for my transportation setup. I gave the hotel name to him. He called out for the driver from that hotel. Hotel driver came forward, took my cart, loaded by bags to the car and I was off to the hotel.
7. Hotel.
During the check-in process, I was informed of their COVID-19 protocol. I was told that I cannot leave the hotel until I receive a negative result. My reservation included meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Chairs were setup outside each hotel room. Staff members leave the food on the chair outside the room to minimize contact with the quarantined passengers.
Now, I’m in my hotel room in Manila quarantined and waiting for my swab test result.
I hope this was helpful. Keep in mind, rules can quickly change. Contact your airline for an up to date information on travel to the Philippines.
**** UPDATE OCT. 25, 2020 ****
Swab test result came after 12 hours from time of testing. I received a text message informing me that the result was emailed to the provided email address.
My COVID-19 test result showed that I don’t have the covid virus - NEGATIVE TEST RESULT ❤️
5 hours later, I received an email from the Bureau of Quarantine with my signed Quarantine Certificate.
Stay safe and well!
Sharlene Mae Bagon
U.S. Immigration Attorney
