Diplomats, Spouse and children of Pinoys from 35 Restricted Countries Now Allowed Entry | Philippines

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration announced that they will be implementing the resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on allowing certain classes of foreign nationals with valid visas effective immediately.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente stated that they received a copy of IATF resolution No. 95 allowing the entry of accredited foreign diplomats, personnel of accredited international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations, and foreign dignitaries despite coming from, or have a travel history within the last 14 days from any of the 35 countries with travel restrictions due to Covid-19.

“Arriving foreign diplomats and personnel of accredited international organizations will be referred to the airport’s one stop shop for the usual testing and quarantine protocols,” said Morente.

The BI added that those coming in the country for medical and emergency cases, including their medical escorts, if any, will be allowed to enter the country subject to applicable testing and quarantine protocols as prescribed by the Department of Health.

Also allowed in the latest resolution are the spouse and minor children of Filipinos.

However, Morente stressed that the arriving spouse and minor children of Filipinos should be traveling with them and should apply for an entry visa before coming to the Philippines.

“Spouse and minor children of Filipinos traveling with them who are not in possession of valid entry visas issued by our foreign posts abroad will not be allowed entry,” said Morente.  The resolution states that they will be subject to the same testing and quarantine protocols applicable to Filipinos.

Morente also clarified that dual citizens holding both a Philippine and foreign citizenship will be allowed entry upon presentation of a valid Philippine passport, or their certificate of citizenship.

According to the BI, a certificate of citizenship could mean either an Identification Certificate or a certificate of reacquisition/retention of Philippine Citizenship under RA 9225.

Currently, the BI is implementing a travel ban on aliens with a travel history within the last 14 days from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, The Netherlands, The People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, and the United States.

Included in the travel ban are those coming from Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, Brazil, Austria, Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, and Oman.

On Sunday, the Malacanang ordered the inclusion of the United Arab Emirates and Hungary to those temporarily restricted due to new Covid-19 variants.