(UPDATED) If you are a foreigner, returning resident, or a local tourist bound for Metro Manila, you need to know the latest travel requirements and guidelines to avoid inconvenience on your part.
Sometimes referred to as Manila, Metro Manila is a metropolitan area in Luzon, otherwise known as the National Capital Region. Its cities include the Philippine capital city of Manila, Taguig City, Quezon City, Pasig City, and Pasay City.
Manila is currently classified under the NCR Plus Bubble, a geopolitical term for the National Capital Region (NCR) and provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. NCR Plus remains under General Community Quarantine, and various travel guidelines are implemented for everyone's safety.
If you’re traveling via land, prepare an S-Pass and StaySafe.ph accounts. If via sea or air, you must prepare a Traze account.
You may view here for the latest and updated travel requirements to Manila:
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What are the travel requirements to Manila?
Areas within National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal (NCR Plus) shall remain under General Community Quarantine with the observance and implementation of the following restrictions until June 30, 2021.
- Point-to-Point travel from NCR Plus to areas under Modified General Community Quarantine shall be allowed without age restrictions subject to an RT-PCR test-before-travel requirement for those below eighteen years old (18) and above sixty-five (65), and other protocols and restrictions as may be imposed by the DOT and the Local Government Unit of destination.
The Department of Tourism clarified that under Resolution 118-A:
- Travelers ages below 18 and above 65 years old are permitted to travel for leisure provided that they undergo RT-PCR before travel.
- The same requirement still applies to travelers that fall within the 18 to 65 age group.
- Other interzonal travel regulations set by the LGUs concerned shall continue to be in effect, including interzonal travel into and out of the NCR Plus.
For LSIs (Locally Stranded Individuals) and APORs (Authorized Persons Outside of Residence), you must provide the following travel requirements upon going to Manila:
- LSIs - Identification Card
- APOR - Company ID or Employment Certificate
If traveling via land or bus, you must create an S-Pass account first. If via air or sea, you must create a Traze account.
What are the travel requirements if from abroad?
As per Government regulations, you must provide necessary requirements for travelers from other countries if you're bound to Manila. You may check the updated and latest travel requirements below.
Note: This might change without prior notice so it's much better if you will contact the LGU of your destination for updates.
Travel requirements for foreign nationals
Per Cebu Pacific, all foreign nationals are now accepted for travel to the Philippines, except for travelers departing from or who have been to these countries in the past fourteen (14) days before scheduled arrival – India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Langka, Bangladesh, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
Please take note of the following travel guidelines for travel to the Philippines:
- All arriving passengers who are not vaccinated in the Philippines must undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. The first ten (10) days will be done in a designated quarantine facility, while the remaining four (4) days will be done at home. An RT-PCR test will be conducted on the seventh day, with Day 1 being the day of arrival.
An RT-PCR test will be conducted on the seventh day, with Day 1 being the day of arrival.
Travel requirements for OFWs
For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), you must update your contact information and destination address online through the government website "Balik Pinas" and firstaide before your flight to get flight reminders and updates.
- Before departing from your origin, Land-based OFWs must fill out the E-CIF online at https://www.balikpinas.ph/ecif-registration.html, while Sea-based OFWs/Seafarers must register at https://ecif.firstaide.ph/pre#/ to secure your QR code.
- Upon arrival in Manila, a briefing shall be conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard. Likewise, instructions and next steps regarding your accommodation and transfers shall be given.
- On Day 7, the Philippine Coast Guard will conduct the RT-PCR (swab) test at the hotel/quarantine facility. Upon receiving negative test results online and completing the 10-day quarantine at the hotel/quarantine facility, please coordinate with OWWA (for land-based OFWs) or your respective Local Manning Agency (for sea-based OFWs/seafarers) for the succeeding steps.
Travel requirements for Non-OFWs/ROFs and foreigners who are exempted from the travel ban
For Non-OFWs/Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) or Foreign Nationals who are exempted from the travel ban, if your flight is through Cebu Pacific, you must update your contact information and destination address via their online booking platform before your flight to get flight reminders and updates.
For Philippine Airlines, you may register to their Passenger Profile and Health Declaration Form as early as 5 days before departure and secure the destination's required to travel and health documents.
- Before departing from your origin, pre-register for your mandatory RT-PCR (swab) test at www.padlab.ph/DLS/PassengerCIF and save the QR code. This will be presented to the OSS (One Stop Shop) upon arrival in the Philippines.
- Have ready cash of Php 4,000.00 for payment of RT-PCR (swab) test. Guests must also prepare for additional expenses, such as hotel accommodation, food, and transportation.
- Pre-book your accommodation at a Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ)-accredited hotel/facility for at least ten (10) nights beginning on your arrival date. Failure to show a hotel booking confirmation shall be denied entry.
- On Day 7, get your RT-PCR (swab) test at the quarantine facility by the assigned COVID-19 Private laboratory.
- Upon receiving the negative RT-PCR result via email, expect to receive the Bureau of Quarantine Health Certificate indicating the actual number of days on quarantine. Present yourself to the quarantine hotel facility in charge with your documents for clearance.
- Once cleared, authorized transportation means to your final destination and immediately report to your barangay officials for accounting and instructions. Complete home quarantine at the barangay for the remaining balance until the required 14 days or as your LGU instructs.
Travel requirements for arriving passengers who are fully vaccinated in the Philippines
An individual is considered to have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 if the following conditions are met: (1) It has been at least two weeks since the second dose in a 2-dose series or after receiving a single-dose vaccine; and (2) the vaccine administered is included in the Philippine Food and Drug Administration's Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) list or a Compassionate Special Permit (CSP).
- Present your vaccination card to the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) representative for re-verification at the Department of Transportation's One-Stop-Shop (OSS) upon arrival in the Philippines.
- All arriving vaccinated passengers must undergo a 7-day facility-based quarantine upon arrival, with the day of arrival as day one.
- A COVID-19 RT-PCR test will be conducted only for passengers who exhibit symptoms during the 7-day quarantine period.
- Once the 7-day quarantine period is completed, the BOQ shall issue a Quarantine Certificate.
Note: These are the latest travel requirements and guidelines going to Manila. This might change from time to time and will be updated once new information is provided. When traveling you should always maintain physical distancing and observe minimum health protocols such as wearing your face mask and face shield.
For information and other inquiries, you may go to: