E-Travel Registration Online for Traveling to Philippines

Kabayan, when was the last time you went home to the Philippines? If it’s one of your overdue trips, then you ought to know some of the changes set by the Philippine government for those traveling to the Philippines in the near future – the eTravel registration platform. The One Health Pass system is no longer operating and the eTravel Registration system is the updated process you need to fill out online before you can enter the country.

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Registration through the Philippine government’s eTravel platform is now mandatory for all tourists from other countries that come to the nation. This is one of the most recent changes implemented by the Philippine government. This new policy is being adopted to guarantee the safety of all tourists and residents in the country.

In this post, we will discuss what eTravel registration is, what it means for returning Filipinos and overseas travelers to the Philippines, as well as how to register for it. Keep reading to learn more about this topic!

What exactly is eTravel card registration?

Foreign visitors could travel from their place of origin to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of their destination in the Philippines by using the eArrival card as a platform for online health declarations and contact tracing. This made it possible for them to visit the Philippines.

The purpose of the eTravel card registration will be comparable to that of the eArrival card; however, it will call for fewer pieces of information, will be easier to finish, and will have a more straightforward user interface. To facilitate a smooth transition, the old website for eArrival card registration will continue to be accessible and accepted.

On December 1, 2022, the government of the Philippines introduced the e-Travel registration, which superseded the previous eArrival card. As a direct result of this, the One Health Pass Website is no longer accessible to the general public as of December 5, 2022.

The Health Declaration Checklist required by the BOQ can also be found on the platform. It comes with an electronic version of the arrival card, which is essential for getting clearance from immigration.

To enter the Philippines after the 2nd of December, travelers will be asked to sign up for a new electronic travel system that the government is implementing.

The implementation of this brand-new electronic travel system is required for every traveler to improve overall travel safety and curtail the spread of the coronavirus. Those who fail to register in advance of their arrival will be subject to further restrictions imposed by the quarantine.

The printed Arrival Card that was obtained via the One Health Pass website will no longer be accepted by the Bureau of Immigration once that change took effect. It is mandatory for travelers from other countries to have the digital version of the eTravel Card available through the platform.

Requirements

Travelers are required to be informed of the various entry processes that the Philippines requires, in accordance with Resolution No. 2 of the IATF. These are the requirements that must be met in order to enter the Philippines. The following information was collected from the website etravel.gov.ph:

A. FULLY VACCINATED (Filipino and Foreign Travelers)

There is no need to have a pre-departure test for COVID-19 – At least fourteen (14) days before departing from the country of origin/port of embarkation, you are required to have received either the second dose of a two-dose series or a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

B. Not immunized at all or only partially immunized (Filipino and Foreign Travelers)

1. Passengers aged 15 and older are required to present the results of a Rapid Antigen Test that was carried out in a laboratory under remote supervision and was validated by a qualified medical professional within the previous 24 hours of their departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation, excluding layovers.

Adults 15 years of age or older who have failed a pre-departure test are required to submit to an antigen test conducted in a laboratory UPON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT.

Children under the age of 15 who have not been immunized are required to adhere to the criteria that have been set by their parents or legal guardians. In addition to this, they must adhere to prior guidelines.

NOTE: The most recent DOH quarantine and isolation protocols will be applied to any inbound passenger of any nationality who tests positive for COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test. This is the case regardless of the traveler’s country of origin.

Qualifications

To enter the country, every traveler to the Philippines must follow specific entry requirements. As was mentioned, the requirements change depending on the age bracket the person in question belongs to.

Procedures

Every traveler, including babies and minors, is required to register for eTravel at least 72 hours in advance of their trip to the Philippines. This must be completed before boarding a plane. Here is the registration procedure:

1. Check out eTravel’s website in your spare time. Keep in mind that there is no need to pay for anything because the process is completely FREE.
2. Finish filling out your Personal Profile, making sure to include your passport number and your current job title (if applicable).
3. Next, specify your postal address.
4. Complete the Health Declaration, which provides information on the COVID-19 vaccinations you have received.

Your information summary is awaiting your approval and submission at this time.

QR Codes

Once all requirements are satisfied, a QR Code will be generated. Before you leave the page, make sure to save a snapshot of the code, since it will be scanned both when you board the plane and when you arrive in the Philippines.

The eTravel system will generate a GREEN QR Code for you if your submission of the required information and attachments is complete and aligns with the most recent IATF entry guidelines.

If you do not fulfill the conditions, you will be given a RED QR Code when you arrive at the airport. The next step is for a representative of BOQ to determine whether RT-PCR testing or testing in a quarantine setting is required.

Keep in mind that you are not permitted to make use of the same code more than once. You must sign up and generate a new QR Code in preparation for your next trip.

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Suppose you are looking for a straightforward method to stay abreast of the most recent changes to e-travel registration protocols. In that case, you should watch this video that discusses the modified e-travel card registration.

This video will provide answers to some of the most important procedural questions you may have, enabling you to travel without experiencing any unnecessary anxiety. So, be ready to take down notes and make sure to consider all the tips based on the vlogger’s personal experience registering for this card.

Frequently Asked Questions

The IATF directive requires that the eArrival system be replaced with a new website that features a health declaration checklist. This will be done in order to comply with the travel requirements set by the government. When the new website is ready for use, the public will be informed of its availability. Meanwhile, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about the eTravel registration system.

1. What is the main purpose of the eTravel platform?

The eTravel platform gives tourists from other countries the ability to quickly and safely disclose their health and contact information when entering the Philippines. In addition, the government must keep a registry of all people who come into the country and have a medical history that includes a particular disease.

This means that everyone who will be traveling to the Philippines, including children and newborns, is required to register on the eTravel website before entering the country.

2. Where can I find information about the prerequisites for entering the Philippines?

You must register with the eTravel website and provide proof of registration at the airport before you may go to the Philippines. eTravel registration is a government-mandated travel procedure so all inbound travelers should know what this is for.

In accordance with IATF Resolution 168, beginning May 30, 2022, foreign visitors to the Philippines who wish to enter the country will no longer be required to go through a facility-based quarantine. Instead, they will only be required to present a negative test result under certain conditions. This change will take effect immediately.

3. Why am I required to go through the eTravel registration process?

When you first arrive in the Philippines after September 1, 2021, you will be required to authenticate your information using the e-Travel registration system. Resolution 135 of the IATF mandates the protocol as it currently stands.

4. Do I need to download an application to access the eTravel plaform?

No, all you need is a device that can access the internet because the eTravel platform is web-based and optimized for mobile use. It can be seen on desktop computers, mobile devices, and portable electronic devices. It can be accessed using a web browser suitable for mobile devices.

5. Is it possible for me to sign up a few days before my flight (i.e., before I leave)?

You must register for eTravel at least three (3) days before your journey to the Philippines. At the airport, those passengers who have already registered will be required to present their identity. In addition, travelers have only 72 hours from the time they board the aircraft to reveal their most recent medical condition to travel authorities.

6. Is it necessary to provide all of the information that eTravel requests, similar to that on the Health Declaration Checklist?

The authorities aim that by asking you some of these new questions, they will be better able to determine which group you belong to according to the criteria established by the IATF. Because of this, you will have an easier time exploring the many categories and obtaining assistance from professionals at the health border.

7. What should I do if the snapshot of my personal QR Code that I had saved on my phone disappeared?

You can access your QR Code and other personal information by logging onto the eTravel website. To accomplish this, go to the website’s homepage and click on the “My Profile” link. Additionally, you can provide personal information such as your date of birth and reference number to acquire your generated code. Do note, however, that these codes are only valid for 72 hours, so beyond that, you will need to register once more.

8. I made a mistake. After I successfully register, will I still be able to make changes to my profile?

If, at the time that you signed up for eTravel, you had not yet been screened, processed, and tagged by the authorities in charge of border health, you are still eligible to make some changes to your information in the “Open My Profile” part of the website.

On the other hand, you cannot make any changes to the information you have submitted once you arrive since the quarantine protocols have very specific steps to follow. Your date of arrival, address, and maybe other personal information will be among the collected pieces. For good measure, make it a habit to double-check your data before you submit it on the platform or anywhere else.

Final Thoughts

Individuals wishing to travel to the Philippines should consult this travel guide. If you want your trip to go off without a hitch, you must have a solid understanding of the entry requirements as well as the process.

It has never been simpler to guarantee your journey’s safety and security than with the newly instated eTravel platform. Travelers now can register on the eTravel website from any location with internet access, making the new system not only more efficient but also more convenient for them. As a reminder though, never use a website to register other than etravel.gov.ph or else you might be fooled into registering your personal and travel details, or worse – you might even be asked to pay a fee for your registration, which is a big red flag! Check out the new website to learn more about the travel entry requirements for the Philippines and save yourself some time and work.

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