Last updated: 10 FEBRUARY 2022

A new entry process for international passengers arriving at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been implemented following the latest resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). These measures are still a part of the response to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

NAIA is the primary gateway to Metro Manila and surrounding provinces including Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna. In this article, you’ll find a detailed guide to the whole arrival process at NAIA — including the steps you need to take prior to your flight, as shared by the country’s biggest carriers, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.

But before anything else, it is important that you know the general testing and quarantine requirements and protocol for international passengers arriving in the Philippines. These vary according to your vaccination status.

The testing and quarantine protocols change frequently so we decided to create a separate post for it. READ THIS FIRST: LIST OF PHILIPPINE QUARANTINE & TESTING REQUIREMENTS & PROTOCOL! ✅

Now that you have an overview, let’s discuss the airport arrival process specifically. In general, the flow is similar, but there are a few differences at certain points, depending on what type of passenger you belong to. Government, airport and airline authorities categorize international passengers into three main types:

• OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers). In this guide, families traveling with at least one OFW will all be considered OFWs.
• Non-OFWs. This is sometimes referred to in some communications as ROFs (Returning Overseas Filipinos), but in this article and in the interest of clarity, let’s simply call it non-OFWs.
• Eligible Foreigners. This includes foreign spouse and children of Filipinos, diplomats, foreign officials accredited by the Philippines, and other eligible non-Filipino nationals.

If you’re flying to NAIA, here’s a detailed guide on what to do before your flight and the protocols upon arrival.

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Arrival Process for OFWs

Before Your Flight

1. Be familiar with the quarantine and testing requirements. Note that these policies vary depending on your vaccination status. Details here!
2. Sign up for a ONE HEALTH PASS account. You can register here. Provide your personal details as well as information about your health and travel history. This will serve as your Health Declaration Card (called e-HDC) and is managed by the Bureau of Quarantine. Once done, you will be given a unique transaction number and QR code that you must keep. You will be returning to this website on the day of your travel.
3. Download the TRAZE App. This is the contact tracing app that you MUST have when using airports in the Philippines. Download the app and sign up for an account. This will be checked by airline staff upon check in. For more info on how to use this app, read: TRAZE APP TUTORIAL!
4. Before your flight, return to the ONE HEALTH PASS website. Again, you’ll find it here. When asked “Are you currently at the Airport of Departure or are you Departing today for the Philippines?”, select YES. Then follow the next steps.
5. Upon check-in, sign the Declaration and Waiver form. This will be presented to you by the check-in agent. By signing this, you are declaring that that you are healthy and fit to travel. You will also need to present the QR code that was sent to you when you filled out the eCIF.

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During the Flight

On board, use your idle time to accomplish the following documents:

• Arrival Card
• Bureau of Customs Form
• OWWA Care Slip

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Upon Arrival

1. Proceed to your assigned gate. This differs depending on your vaccination status and/or whether or not you have a connecting flight.
2. Temperature Check. Upon deplaning, undergo a temperature check.
3. Validation and Verification. For sea-based OFWs, head to the Validation and Verification desk where a personnel shall confirm your registration. Land-based OFWs may skip this step.
4. Immigration Check. Go through Immigration inspection and submit your accomplished Arrival Card.
5. Hotel and Transportation Desk. After clearing the Customs, proceed to these desks for your quarantine hotel assignment and arranged transportation to your hotel:
   – For land-based OFWs: OWWA desk and present your OHP QR code and hand over the OWWA Project Care slip.
   – For sea-based OFWs- proceed to the MARINA desk.
6. Baggage Claim. Pick up your bags at the designated carousel.
7. Customs. Clear Customs inspection and submit the Customs form.

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At The Quarantine Hotel (Only If You’re Required)

Note that hotel quarantine may not be mandatory for everyone. To check if you’re required to do so, read this first: PHILIPPINE QUARANTINE PROTOCOL!

1. Check in at your hotel. While staying at the hotel, wait for the schedule of your test. If you exhibit any symptoms anytime between the day of your arrival and the day of your test, inform your hotel right away. A medical or BOQ officer will assess you for medical management and testing, as necessary.
2. Undergo testing on scheduled date. Note that Day 1 starts on the day of your arrival in the Philippines.

If you test positive, you will be assessed by a health or BOQ officer to determine the appropriate steps to be done. You will either be transferred to a designated hospital for further medical management.

If you test negative, you will receive your test result and a BOQ Medical Quarantine Certificate. Present these to your hotel for clearance.

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Going Home

1. Ask for clearance from the hotel management. To get one, present the negative test result and a BOQ Medical Quarantine Certificate.
2. Arrange your choice of transfer to your residence or final destination. You may contact your relatives to pick you up. You may also coordinate with the following:
   – For land-based OFWs: contact OWWA or use the OWWA UWIAN NA portal.
   – For sea-based OFWs: contact your LOCAL Manning Agency.
3. Complete your home quarantine / self isolation under the monitoring of your Local Government Unit (LGU) or Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT).

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Arrival Process for Non-OFWs and Eligible Foreigners

Before Your Flight

1. Be familiar with and complete quarantine and testing requirements. Note that these policies vary depending on your vaccination status. Details here! For foreigners, there may also be ADDITIONAL entry requirements that need to be met. More info here!
2. Sign up for a ONE HEALTH PASS account. You can register here. Provide your personal details as well as information about your health and travel history. This will serve as your Health Declaration Card (called e-HDC) and is managed by the Bureau of Quarantine. Once done, you will be given a unique transaction number and QR code that you must keep. You will be returning to this website on the day of your travel.
3. Pre-book a hotel. Only if you’re required to undergo hotel quarantine. Depending on your vaccination status, a confirmed booking at a DOH-BOQ-approved hotel may be needed. If so, here are your options: LIST OF ACCREDITED QUARANTINE HOTELS!
4. Sign up for a TRAZE account. TRAZE is an app that the government uses for contact tracing. Having a TRAZE account is mandatory so download the app prior to your trip and register. You will be using this a lot at the airport.
5. Before your flight, return to the ONE HEALTH PASS website. Again, you’ll find it here. When asked “Are you currently at the Airport of Departure or are you Departing today for the Philippines?”, select YES. Then follow the next steps.
6. Sign the Declaration and Waiver Form. Upon check-in, this form will be presented by the staff. You also need to present your QR code and Traze App.

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During the Flight

Fill out the following forms while inside the aircraft:

• Customs Form
• Immigration Arrival Card

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Upon Arrival

1. Undergo a temperature check. You’ll need to present your OHP QR code at this point. Validate your Affidavit of Undertaking.
2. If you’re required to undergo hotel quarantine: Verify your quarantine hotel booking with a hotel coordinator. Arrange your transfer to the hotel at these desks if you haven’t done so yet. There are shuttles and vans available. If you prefer a coupon or meter taxi, there is a separate desk for that. You will be given a sticker to indicate your choice of transportation to your quarantine hotel.
3. Clear Immigration inspection. Submit your accomplished Arrival Card.
4. Pick up your bags at the assigned carousel at the Baggage Claim area.
5. Submit your signed Affidavit of Undertaking and accomplished Customs form.
6. Proceed to your arranged transportation and transfer to your hotel.

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At the Quarantine Hotel (Only If You’re Required)

Note that hotel quarantine may not be mandatory for everyone. To check if you’re required to do so, read this first: PHILIPPINE QUARANTINE PROTOCOL!

1. Check in at your hotel. This day is considered Day 1. Follow all the government and hotel policies being implemented within the vicinity. If you exhibit symptoms anytime between Day 1 and the day of your test, inform your hotel immediately. A health or BOQ officer will assess you for medical management and testing, as necessary.
2. Undergo test on scheduled date. The date varies depending on your vaccination status and country of origin. You will have to present your passport, QR Code, and payment receipt to the personnel who will administer the test.

If you test positive, you will be assessed by a DOH/BOQ Officer. Based on their assessment, you will either be transferred to a designated hotel for further medical management.

If you test negative, you may get your BOQ medical certificate.

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Going Home

1. Get a clearance from the hotel staff. You will need to present your negative test result and BOQ medical certificate.
2. Arrange your preferred transportation. You may contact your relatives or your LGU to pick you up or arrange another mode of transportation going home.
3. Complete your home quarantine / self-isolation under the monitoring of your LGU and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT).

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UPDATES LOG:

2021-05-09 Extended the hotel quarantine length to 10 days
2021-07-06 Added additional info for fully-vaccinated travelers
2021-09-17 Added One Health Pass
2021-10-03 Updated list of Green countries
2021-11-06 Updated length of quarantine and reqs for vaccinated travelers
2021-12-09 Applied changes to the policies for vaxxed/unvaxxed, green/yellow/red list passengers
2021-12-16 Reflected the changes to the policies moving the swab day to Day 3 for vaxxed passengers coming from GREEN countries
2022-01-16 Moved the quarantine requirements to another post and added the process for foreigners
2022-01-28 Color coding has been removed; hotel quarantine requirement depends on vaccination status