General Info

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.

[QUOTE=TheRose;2669703]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.[/QUOTE]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.

[QUOTE=TheRose;2669703]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.[/QUOTE]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 [URL]https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/.[/URL] 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.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2669606]From today, March 3, 2022. Update on visa requirements from the Philippines Embassy website:

snip

[I][B]IMPORTANT:[/B]

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.

[/I][/QUOTE]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.

[URL]https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1921361/cebu/local-news/gwen-its-the-iatf-that-allowed-entry-of-unvaccinated-travelers[/URL]

For more info, see my post on the Cebu forum on February 19, at [URL]http://www.internationalsexguide.nl/forum/showthread.php?1004-General-Information[/URL]. Post #7541.

[QUOTE=Ibaski;2669762]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 [URL]https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/.[/URL] 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.[/QUOTE]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.

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.

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.

[URL]https://expatinsurancecompare.com/philippines?utm_medium=social&utm_source=mw&utm_term=philippinesL&utm_source_id=23849127145010680&utm_content=language&fbclid=IwAR2aNGhw4SBpl26tNNO1F2RVsVsDp7Sfbvb6_B1j3R0kZUZU8kf7FfZ7o2o[/URL]

[QUOTE=Nightrider1;2670124]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.[/QUOTE]We don't know exactly what is your "vax card" that you are holding.

From Philippines airlines website:

[URL]https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home/covid-19/ArrivingInThePH/ArrivalGuideForFully-VaccinatedTravelersInoculatedInthePhilippines[/URL]

"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.

[QUOTE=Nightrider1;2670124]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.[/QUOTE]If this is for the [URL]https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/[/URL] all I uploaded was a picture of my vax card. They approved it.

SbySW.

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.

[QUOTE=Si6798;2672284]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.[/QUOTE]According to this page you easier to enter Philippines on your UK passport. India passport has some conditions.

[URL]https://www.philippineconsulatela.org/consular-services-2/visa/dont-know-if-you-need-a-visa-to-travel-check-here[/URL]#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.

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.

[QUOTE=Nightrider1;2673279]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.[/QUOTE]I keep a picture of all my documents (passport, birth certificate, dd214, vaccine card, drivers license) in a folder in my phone. If I fill out some immigration thing online then I screenshot it as she told you and move it to that folder along with a screenshot of the reservation of the place I am staying and my flight reservation and boarding pass.

[QUOTE=Nightrider1;2673279] I'm happy I went through all the be / S it took to get here.[/QUOTE]I second that, it wasn't worth it when there was a quarantine but its well worth it right now. I almost forget about covid when in in the arms of a warm philipina.

Thanks for the information.

That website is not updated. Looks like everything is opening up from April 1. Let's hope for the best.

[QUOTE=AsianPursuits;2672468]According to this page you easier to enter Philippines on your UK passport. India passport has some conditions.

[URL]https://www.philippineconsulatela.org/consular-services-2/visa/dont-know-if-you-need-a-visa-to-travel-check-here[/URL]#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:.[/QUOTE]