General Info

[WestCoast1]

Oh, good point. To be considered fully vaccinated at this point requires the original shots (assuming a two shot system like Pfizer) as well as a booster shot. Not many countries yet are actively pushing or requiring a second booster, although they are possible to get now, so there is no current requirements in place for the Philippines in terms of time frame for when you have had that second booster. I had a booster shot in mid February, and flew to the Philippines in mid July, so that was five months later.

Yes, I think that's right. Without the booster, you will need a negative covid test within 24 hours prior to departure to board the plane. Regardless of the effectiveness of your shots over time, Phils doesn't care how long ago you had your original shots, nor your booster (only that you had them for the sake of determining if you must get a negative covid test before flying).

And speaking of booster. Anyone interested in a booster in the NCR can get one anytime at the Circuit Mall in Makati City (Hippodromo St corner South Ave, a few short blocks from the Manila South Cemetery along South Ave), on floor 2. They have a massive 2-story room set up for it. You can walk in and get one if you have your original shots card.

[BaddHabbit]

How is "fully vaccinated" being defined?

For example: is it a couple hits of the pfizer, then some more after a few months, good up to how many months before more boostering to reach / maintain status 'fully' vaccinated?

Oh, good point. To be considered fully vaccinated at this point requires the original shots (assuming a two shot system like Pfizer) as well as a booster shot. Not many countries yet are actively pushing or requiring a second booster, although they are possible to get now, so there is no current requirements in place for the Philippines in terms of time frame for when you have had that second booster. I had a booster shot in mid February, and flew to the Philippines in mid July, so that was five months later.

[Mdemde]

This might be more helpful if you were to identify with which passport you are utilizing to make your visa.

I actually have two passports, a UK passport and an Irish passport. On my first 3 year stay starting in 2019 I used my UK passport, but now I am using my Irish passport.

[Golfinho]

You are correct. I flew in to Cebu from Germany by way of Singapore on July 12 and did not require a negative test. I had my OHP, including the QR code, and I am fully vaccinated. Immigration process was simple and quick.

How is "fully vaccinated" being defined?

For example: is it a couple hits of the pfizer, then some more after a few months, good up to how many months before more boostering to reach / maintain status 'fully' vaccinated?

[BaddHabbit]

My understanding is that fully vaccinated travellers no longer require the covid test. Maybe t has changed since you entered.

You are correct. I flew in to Cebu from Germany by way of Singapore on July 12 and did not require a negative test. I had my OHP, including the QR code, and I am fully vaccinated. Immigration process was simple and quick.

[GDreams]

My understanding is that fully vaccinated travellers no longer require the covid test. Maybe t has changed since you entered.

From Philippine Airlines:

The pre-departure COVID-19 test will not be applicable to the ff:

1. Foreign nationals aged 18 and above who have received primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, and at least one (1) COVID-19 booster shot administered at any time prior to departure.

So better to get a booster than pay for a test.

[Golfinho]

I arrived back in the Philippines last month and was given a 30-days tourist visa on arrival. I have just obtained a 29 day visa waiver (extension of stay) from my local Bureau of Immigration office. This 29 day period is the maximum period allowed when requesting extra time on your initial 30-days visa on arrival.

At the end of this 29 day period I will be eligible to apply for either a 2 month or a 6 month visa waiver and then to continue doing this up to a maximum period of 3 years, after which you must exit the country.

I had read reports earlier this year that said the BOI were not issuing visa waivers to tourists. I had previously managed to stay for 3 years using their visa waivers and I was very concerned and worried about this supposed rule change as I plan to stay for at least another 3 years. But as it turned out, my worries were for nothing!

This might be more helpful if you were to identify with which passport you are utilizing to make your visa.

[Mdemde]

I arrived back in the Philippines last month and was given a 30-days tourist visa on arrival. I have just obtained a 29 day visa waiver (extension of stay) from my local Bureau of Immigration office. This 29 day period is the maximum period allowed when requesting extra time on your initial 30-days visa on arrival.

At the end of this 29 day period I will be eligible to apply for either a 2 month or a 6 month visa waiver and then to continue doing this up to a maximum period of 3 years, after which you must exit the country.

I had read reports earlier this year that said the BOI were not issuing visa waivers to tourists. I had previously managed to stay for 3 years using their visa waivers and I was very concerned and worried about this supposed rule change as I plan to stay for at least another 3 years. But as it turned out, my worries were for nothing!

[AsianPursuits]

Then within 24 hours you need (ed) a negative covid test, which you upload a picture of the certificate..

My understanding is that fully vaccinated travellers no longer require the covid test. Maybe t has changed since you entered.

[WestCoast1]

Well, look who's back. Coming back in with the required covid test, and completing the OHP was less problematic than I thought, but was still a PITA. Regarding OHP. You start entering your info 3 days before your departing flight, including sending them your vax card picture, and answer some health questions. Then within 24 hours you need (ed) a negative covid test, which you upload a picture of the certificate. At that point, OHP generates to you a rectangular bar code, which is good enough to get you on your flight. Within 4 hours of your departure, you are supposed to log into OHP, and it should generate a square QR code.

When I checked in at the airport with my rectangular bar code, that was enough to get me on the plane. However the airline checkin agents were looking thru every piece of documentation, for everyone (it takes time). But logging in to OHP didn't get my my QR code. I tried it several times, right up to the point of being seated on the plane at the gate, waiting pushback. No QR code. Well, OK. A QR code seemed no big deal, according to OHP is simply gets you thru to an 'Express Lane' for Phils Immigration on arrival. However when I landed at my connecting airport, I logged in again to OHP, and the QR code showed up. There were many other passengers at the connecting airport who were not getting their QR code. It turned out to be a clear advantage. Once arriving at NAIA, there were military, dividing up the arriving throng into two groups: QR code to the right, and everyone else to the left. To the left they were lining up to sit and chat with DOH personnel who was going thru all of their documents (at the time, that's a bunch: vax card, covid test, PP, onward ticket, and so on. After they finished there they were heading to the regular Immigration booths. But to the right, there were 2 Immigration booths, and only 2 of us who seemed to have a QR code. They swiped my PP and asked to see my outbound flight. They even gave me an extra day after my outbound flight on the stamp. Then they sent me to baggage claim. Made it thru Immigration in record time, not just because there was no line, but because their checking my stuff seemed to be cursory, a quick look-see. "Enjoy your stay sir". Yes ma'am, there's a good chance that will be happening.

Lets start with Ayala in Makati. All 5 Greenbelts are up / running. Lots of changes in G3. All the restos appear to be re-opened. The first 3 pics are near the Starbucks downstairs show the old Havana Cafe area. HC is gone, replaced with a different resto. The other pics are restos on level 2 and are operating. Everything across the street at LandMark and Glorieta appears to be operating.

More later on Burgos.

[Pute Nut]

My preference is to pre-purchase a 1-way flight to HK, BKK, or such (whichever is cheapest) on CP or PAL (whoever is having a promo), for day 29. That will get you thru Immigration. Then I go to my CP or PAL account online and cancel the flight, which puts the money into the CP or PAL account. Later after extending, I will use it to fly to Cebu or other province. It all works out in the end. I realize that might not work for the 2-week warrior.

Yes this works well too, their travel fund and their site seems to work a bit better nowadays, and you will end up flying Cebu Pacific at some point if you visit Phils frequently.

[Pute Nut]

If you buy a fully refundable fare you can cancel it with full or nearly full refund. You arrive, show your onward ticket then the next day cancel it? No fake document just a valid ticket that you get a refund on. Why involve a third party?

Exactly. This way you will present a fully legit booking at the border crossing. You were in good faith when you presented it (although they very seldom ask you to).

[Trevor2522]

The 'Every Man Has A Story' YouTube channel recently reported (for the benefit of antivaxers) that Cebu is admitting tourists, subject to 5 days' hotel quarantine and tests; via Manila vax is still compulsory for entry. A dive into the dank web revealed QR-certificates of vaccination, tailored to country-of-origin by selection, for $149.

[WestCoast1]

OK, I will rephrase that for clarity, I thought the (booked / cancelled) part made it clear enough. What those sites do is to "help" you perform a booking and then cancel it for you. If you try to use this cancelled, non-valid booking at a border crossing, you are essentially presenting fake credentials. Will often work, but sometimes not. Getting caught lying to border officials may lead to negative outcomes.

My preference is to pre-purchase a 1-way flight to HK, BKK, or such (whichever is cheapest) on CP or PAL (whoever is having a promo), for day 29. That will get you thru Immigration. Then I go to my CP or PAL account online and cancel the flight, which puts the money into the CP or PAL account. Later after extending, I will use it to fly to Cebu or other province. It all works out in the end. I realize that might not work for the 2-week warrior.

[GDreams]

OK, I will rephrase that for clarity, I thought the (booked / cancelled) part made it clear enough. What those sites do is to "help" you perform a booking and then cancel it for you. If you try to use this cancelled, non-valid booking at a border crossing, you are essentially presenting fake credentials. Will often work, but sometimes not. Getting caught lying to border officials may lead to negative outcomes.

If you buy a fully refundable fare you can cancel it with full or nearly full refund. You arrive, show your onward ticket then the next day cancel it? No fake document just a valid ticket that you get a refund on. Why involve a third party?