General Info

[Nightrider1]

I have been in Cebu now for a week. Getting here was stressful with all the requirements. I thought I would not have to show any till I got the international flight in San Fran but it started on the domestic flight from Chicago. American Airlines wanted to see everything. Lady was nice and we went through it step by step. When it came to the one health pass it was on my email so had to open it for her. She said why don't you take a screen shot of it so it will be on your photos and showed me how to do that. In San Fran had to how everything again with the addition of a temp check and fill out that form. I was initially booked San Fran to Cebu but pal changed it and I went to manila first and another plane to cebu. I rented a one bedroom in mabolo and crashed there for the rest of the day. Travel is wearing and especially now.

Many places I used to go are closed the fooda for groceries and the good breakfast place. My favorite bar resto, the money changer I used, malls are all open but with a mask policy as well as in taxie.

I think it will only get better as time goes on and cases fall. Chatmates are still sweet and loving and appreciative of the chocolates always. I'm happy I went through all the be / S it took to get here.

[AsianPursuits]

I'm a Indian Passport holder and have a valid UK Visa. In the past I was able to enter Phil Visa free. Any thoughts on if that's still applicable. I hear contradictory statements from traveling coordinators. Thanks in advance for responding.

According to this page you easier to enter Philippines on your UK passport. India passport has some conditions.

https://www.philippineconsulatela.or...vel-check-here#text=No%20 visa%20 required%20 for%20 a%20 stay%20 not%20 exceeding%2021%20 days, the%20 stay%20 in%20 the%20 Philippines. &text=Bulgaria-,No%20 visa%20 required%20 for%20 a,exceeding%20 thirty%20 (30)%20 days.

India:

Visa required. Traveller must apply for a visa at the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate in the country of legal residence. Visa required for business, conference, training- , official and other non-leisure travel. Indian passport holders do not require a visa for tourism travel not exceeding fourteen (14) days provided that they hold a valid visa or permanent residence permit issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Schengen country, you. K. Or USA Traveller must have a valid national passport for at least six (6) months, beyond the contemplated stay and a return or onward ticket to the next country of destination and (3) No derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration.

UK:

No visa required for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days. Traveller must hold valid ticket for return journey to country of origin or next country of destination and a passport valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the stay in the Philippines.

[Si6798]

I'm a Indian Passport holder and have a valid UK Visa. In the past I was able to enter Phil Visa free. Any thoughts on if that's still applicable. I hear contradictory statements from traveling coordinators. Thanks in advance for responding.

[South By Sw 3]

Do I need this to enter Phil? I have a vax card I got when I got my shots at the VA facility. Do I need more than this for my trip on March 5 ? HELP.

If this is for the https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/ all I uploaded was a picture of my vax card. They approved it.

SbySW.

[AsianPursuits]

Do I need this to enter Phil? I have a vax card I got when I got my shots at the VA facility. Do I need more than this for my trip on March 5 ? HELP.

We don't know exactly what is your "vax card" that you are holding.

From Philippines airlines website:

https://www.philippineairlines.com/e...thePhilippines

"World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (WHO ICV)" OR.

"the national COVID-19 vaccination certificate of the following countries". United States.

Is the "vax card" you have a United States national certificate? Does it contain the same numbers and exact name as they match to your passport? Immigration and checking people will want to link your vax status directly to the travel document.

If you vax card is just dates with a smiley stamp by the cute nurse then probably not what you need.

[WestCoast1]

An advertisement for traveler's health insurance / Phils. I have not browsed this website, nor am I affiliated with it. Just throwing it out there for future travelers.

https://expatinsurancecompare.com/ph...UZU8kf7FfZ7o2o

[Nightrider1]

Do I need this to enter Phil? I have a vax card I got when I got my shots at the VA facility. Do I need more than this for my trip on March 5 ? HELP.

[Locamotive]

I used my CDC card. It was checked in USA at the airport, at Transit airports, 3 times at Manila airport and at check in at 5 star hotel in Manila and at my Condo later.

I just bought travel health insurance specifying Philippines which was verified at Narita transit and I believe at Manila as well. At Narita the rep actually wanted to see Philippines on the Insurance certificate.

Also make sure you complete one health pass at https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/. This was requested at each check in as well as in Manila.

I had all the docs printed as well as on my phone. May be the checks were thorough as I travelled right after Feb 10th but no biggie.

I know insurance will be required for entry. Mine from home I do not trust as they could say oh that won't work here. I've seen several post on this but no names. Any recommendation's? I'm sure there are many online but ID like the one they are use too or approve and will not blink a eye. Faster I leave that airport the faster to fun.

[Mdemde]

From today, March 3, 2022. Update on visa requirements from the Philippines Embassy website:

snip

IMPORTANT:

Only fully-vaccinated foreign nationals (except for minors 12 years old and below) with sufficient proof of vaccination will be allowed entry into the Philippines.

According to a news report on February 18 (link below), starting March 1, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was going to allow unvaxxed tourists into the country via the Mactan-Cebu International airport.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1...ated-travelers

For more info, see my post on the Cebu forum on February 19, at http://www.internationalsexguide.nl/...al-Information. Post #7541.

[Ibaski]

Thanks for the report. It was informative. Here are additional questions about which you may have insights:

1) What constitutes proof of vaccination? I am triple vaxed attested to by a US CDC card but which can be easily doctored. I think that I recall that these CDC cards are acceptable. Further the PI is generally lax on enforcement. Recall the perfunctory inspection of your bags by the security guards when you enter the mall. However I would hate to be turned away by immigration or shaken down for a bribe.

2) What is acceptable Health insurance? I have Medicare and supplemental insurance. For all of you expats who have no experience with that, supplemental insurance covers shortfalls between the amount charged for medical service and what Medicare pays. You can get this insurance without premiums that's how big the insurance industry is. So I am wondering if presenting my US health insurance cards will suffice.

I used my CDC card. It was checked in USA at the airport, at Transit airports, 3 times at Manila airport and at check in at 5 star hotel in Manila and at my Condo later.

I just bought travel health insurance specifying Philippines which was verified at Narita transit and I believe at Manila as well. At Narita the rep actually wanted to see Philippines on the Insurance certificate.

Also make sure you complete one health pass at https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/. This was requested at each check in as well as in Manila.

I had all the docs printed as well as on my phone. May be the checks were thorough as I travelled right after Feb 10th but no biggie.

[WestCoast1]

Thanks for the report. It was informative. Here are additional questions about which you may have insights:

1) What constitutes proof of vaccination? I am triple vaxed attested to by a US CDC card but which can be easily doctored. I think that I recall that these CDC cards are acceptable. Further the PI is generally lax on enforcement. Recall the perfunctory inspection of your bags by the security guards when you enter the mall. However I would hate to be turned away by immigration or shaken down for a bribe.

2) What is acceptable Health insurance? I have Medicare and supplemental insurance. For all of you expats who have no experience with that, supplemental insurance covers shortfalls between the amount charged for medical service and what Medicare pays. You can get this insurance without premiums that's how big the insurance industry is. So I am wondering if presenting my US health insurance cards will suffice.

Welcome. I got that info from another Board member, and I was just parroting it, so not sure of the accuracy of my answers here.

1) Good question. They use vax cards in the US I think, made from card stock. Mine is better in Manila, its electronic, complete with my pic, name, Brgy, and unique QR code. Its filled in initially online by you with your info, and you upload your pic. Once you show up for your first shot, you give your phone to a guy at a computer who scans your QR code. On his computer, your vax card shows up. It better be your face and the name better match your passport, or no shot. The QR code makes them difficult to fake. That guy checking your credentials then nods to the nurse, who injects you. Then he clicks SUBMIT on his screen, and my vax card updated instantly on my screen to show the date, nurse's name, lot number, and location. Interesting tech, especially since they often vax 1000 persons or more in a morning.

In the pic, the area of the blue line, was blank when I handed it to the computer guy. Then the nurse jabbed me, the guy hit SUBMIT on his computer, and those boxes refreshed on my phone and all the info was in them. JUST. LIKE. THAT.

Mostly I rarely had to show it. Then around October (Delta), lots of the indoor resto's, starbucks, Coffee Bean, etc around Malate started enforcing it at the door or cash register when ordering food. At the time, there were no new inbound foreigners allowed in who might have the card stock card like yours, I never saw those. I would imagine that they would be acceptable (to businesses that want your money).

2) Easy way to find out if your basic Medicare or gaps cover overseas health, nd what limits: Contact them. Just like any insurance company, they will send you an exact document that shows your out-of-country coverage limits and deductibles.

[The Rose]

Thanks for the report. It was informative. Here are additional questions about which you may have insights:

1) What constitutes proof of vaccination? I am triple vaxed attested to by a US CDC card but which can be easily doctored. I think that I recall that these CDC cards are acceptable. Further the PI is generally lax on enforcement. Recall the perfunctory inspection of your bags by the security guards when you enter the mall. However I would hate to be turned away by immigration or shaken down for a bribe.

2) What is acceptable Health insurance? I have Medicare and supplemental insurance. For all of you expats who have no experience with that, supplemental insurance covers shortfalls between the amount charged for medical service and what Medicare pays. You can get this insurance without premiums that's how big the insurance industry is. So I am wondering if presenting my US health insurance cards will suffice.

[WestCoast1]

Also the list of countries that Phils allows in visa-free:

https://dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa

[WestCoast1]

From today, March 3, 2022. Update on visa requirements from the Philippines Embassy website:

http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg...l-information/

General Information on the Entry of Foreigners

The Embassy informs the public of salient points of Resolution Nos. 159 dated 27 January 2022 and 160-A dated 3 February 2022 of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF):

I. Classification of countries, territories, and/or jurisdictions into green, yellow and red is temporarily suspended until further notice;

II. Effective 10 February 2022, foreign nationals traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes may enter the country visa-free and stay in the Philippines for not more than 30 days, provided that they:

Are a citizen or national of a non-visa required country under Executive Order 408 s. 1960 (E.O. 408);
Are fully-vaccinated and able to provide sufficient proof of vaccination (except for minor children below 12 years of age), to include any of the following:

World Health Organization (WHO) International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis;
VaxCertPH;
National or digital certificate of the country which has accepted VaxCertPH under reciprocal arrangement (for Singapore, digital certificate issued through Notarise Singapore); OR
Other proof of vaccination permitted by the IATF.

Present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from (first) point of origin;
Have a valid return ticket or ticket to onward destination (not later than 30 days from the date of arrival in the Philippines);
Have passports valid for at least six months from the time of arrival in the Philippines; AND
Have obtained, prior to arrival, travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs from a reputable insurance company, with a minimum coverage of USD35,000, for the duration of their stay in the Philippines.

III. Foreign nationals not qualified under Section II above, or foreign nationals from visa-required or restricted countries, may enter the Philippines by securing a 9(a) visa, provided that:

They have an entry exemption document issued under existing IATF regulations;
Are fully-vaccinated and able to provide sufficient proof of vaccination (except for minor children below 12 years of age), as provided in Section II 2(b);
Present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from (first) point of origin;

IV. Once admitted into the country, fully vaccinated foreign nationals are no longer required to observe mandatory facility quarantine but shall self-monitor for any COVID-19 signs and symptoms for seven (7) days, with Day 1 as the date of arrival in the Philippines. They are required to report to the local government unit (LGU) of their destination should they manifest any symptoms.

V. Those who fail to fully comply with the conditions set forth shall be denied admission and shall be subject to appropriate exclusion proceedings. Furthermore, foreign nationals found not compliant with the conditions set forth in Section II 2b shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their 14th day, with Day 1 as their date of arrival.

And.

IMPORTANT:

Only fully-vaccinated foreign nationals (except for minors 12 years old and below) with sufficient proof of vaccination will be allowed entry into the Philippines.

Foreign nationals from visa-free countries who wish to stay in the Philippines for more than 30 days can either (a) request an extended stay at the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival in the Philippines; or (b) secure an endorsement from the appropriate Philippine national government agency and secure a 9(a) visa that will allow them to stay for a maximum of 59 days. The endorsing Philippine national agency must submit their entry exemption request directly to DFA-Office of Consular Affairs (OCA).

[WestCoast1]

Hi,

Unfortunately I had the unfortunate idea to spend a few days in Cagayan de Oro. I already have the plane ticket and in a few days I'll be there, then I'll go to Davao.

My question: someone who knows CDO well, can you tell me where I can go to change the euro with a good exchange rate?

Very unfortunate.

Try the money changers in the Divisoria area, on Velez St, between Abejuela St and T Neri St, next to the old Grand City hotel. Alternately try one block to the west, on Tiano Bro St, also between Abejuela and Neri streets. Money changer businesses come and go, they might no longer be there. You can also exchange at the following places:

Any Cebuana Lhuillier locations.

Also in the Centrio Ayala mall, floor 3, Core Pacific Money Exchange (next door to a computer repair shop).