The Immigration Office will allow more foreigners to travel to the Philippines after the Government's COVID-19 Task Force has extended the list of foreign nationals allowed to enter the country.

The new list includes foreigners with valid working visas, student visas, Special Visa for Generation Employment (SVEG) and Special Investors Residence Visa (SIRV) under Executive Order 63.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases Management (IATF) releases Resolution 98, which adds the holders of a Special Resident Retirees Visa (SRRV) and a temporary visitor visa to the Philippines as long as they submit an entry exemption document.

Candy Tan, Chief of the BI Port Operations Division, explained that it would be necessary for tourists to submit the entry exemption document applied in advance. The entry exemption document may be requested from Philippine DFA offices abroad, subject to their assessment and approval.

Tan added that the visa-free privileges for 157 countries remain suspended and that tourists must first obtain an entry visa. Only balikbayans (the former Filipino, his or her spouse and their children) may be granted a visa-free entry. Only those travelling with the Filipino or former Filipino spouse and nationals of visa-free countries under EO 408 are entitled to the Balikbayan privilege.

As part of the new country entry protocol, all travellers are required to have pre-booked accommodation for at least six nights at an accredited quarantine hotel or a mandatory quarantine facility.