The Southeast Asian archipelago will reopen to fully vaccinated travellers on 10 February after nearly two years of closure. Here's what you need to know...
It’s the moment many of us have been waiting for. After two years of closure, the Philippines has announced its borders will reopen from February.
The tourist ban was originally going to be lifted at the end of 2021, however the rise in Omicron cases caused a postponement and tougher restrictions in the country.
Now, those who are fully vaccinated and travelling from more than 150 countries will be able to return to the beautiful Southeast Asian archipelago from 10 February.
This is welcome news for the country's 7,000 islands after a long and difficult period without tourism. According to government statistics, more than one million Filipinos lost their job during the pandemic. The reopening hopes to revive many of the communities who rely so heavily on the travel industry to survive.
Rice fields in the Philippines (Shutterstock)
Visit historic Vigan when returning to the Philippines (Shutterstock)
Double jabbed travellers will no longer need to quarantine on arrival. All that is needed is a negative PCR test less than 48 hours old, six months validity on your passport and a return ticket. Arrivals are also asked to self-monitor their symptoms for seven days.
The Filipino government have also changed the rules when it comes to visas, allowing travellers to come visa-free for an initial period of 30 days.
Those unvaccinated will still need to quarantine in a government-approved facility, take a test after five days, and if negative, self-isolate in a hotel until the fourteenth day after arrival.
For more details and the latest updates on entry requirements, read the UK government’s Foreign Travel Advice.
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