OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) Travellers Guide
General travel advice for OFWs (last updated April 10, 2021)
An Overseas Filipino Worker or OFW is a person with Filipino Citizenship and who is living and working in another country for a limited period of employment.
Families traveling together with at least one OFW will be considered all OFWs. If you’re an OFW, see the list below for resources that you may find useful:
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration – is the governing agency of the Phlippines responsible to manage, monitor and supervise overseas recruitment and manning the agencies in the Philippines.
https://www.poea.gov.ph/On-site Welfare Services for OFWs:
https://www.dole.gov.ph/on-site-welfare-services-for-ofws/The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration:
http://owwa.gov.ph/Registration and administration of Overseas Filipinos for CoVID-19 testing and purposes:
https://www.balikpinas.ph/
Travelling to the Philippines
From March 22, 2021 to April 21, 2021, ALL FILIPINO CITIZENS whether returning Overseas Filipino or Overseas Filipino Worker shall be allowed to return to the Philippines.
Refer and check the latest IATF development here: https://iatf.doh.gov.ph
Currently, the Philippines will restrict entry to foreigners except for the following:
Diplomats and members of international organizations, and their dependents, provided they hold a valid 9(e) visa or 47(a)(2) visa, as the case may be, at the time of entry
Foreign nationals involved in medical repatriation duly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA – OUMWA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), provided that they have a valid visa at the time of entry
Foreign seafarers arriving through seaports under the “Green Lanes” program for crew change, provided they hold a 9(c) crew list visa at the time of entry
Foreign parent/s, spouses, and children of Filipino citizens travelling with them, provided they have valid visas at the time of entry
Emergency, humanitarian, and other analogous cases approved by the Chairperson of the NTF COVID-19 or his duly authorized representative, provided the foreign nationals have valid visas at the time of entry
In addition, the number of Philippine-bound passengers will be subject to the arrival quota set by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Traveller precautions
Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, the Philippine Government have issued precautionary measures, mandatory protocols and requirements for travellers.
For passengers in international flights to the Philippines, please be guided on new arrival and quarantine procedures in Manila, Cebu, and Clark.
All travellers should to follow the guide as indicated by the IATF (https://iatf.doh.gov.ph), register in advance and pre-book their hotels as necessary to avoid any inconvenience and experience faster processing upon arrival. To ensure everyone’s health and safety, it is advised that travellers shall strictly observe the following protocols whilst in public:
Wearing of face masks and face shields.
Registration to Case Investigation Forms depending on the traveler’s type and port of entry (Manila, Cebu, Clark).
Use of the Traze Mobile Application to generate and scan their QR code when entering in, boarding from, and upon arriving in all Philippine Airports starting November 28, 2020, as mandated by the Philippine Department of Transportation. Click here to download and know more about the Traze App.Ensure temperature checks, use of foot baths, and disinfection/sanitation facilities.
Ensure physical and social distancing and minimum contact at all times and in all places within the airport premises, and during all procedures, from check-in, boarding, inflight, disembarking to retrieving of check-in baggage.
Ensure you pay attention to public safety announcements and health security protocols where indicated.
General guidelines for inbound to the Philippines.
See below general guidelines when travelling to the Philippines. Please refer and check the latest IATF development here: https://iatf.doh.gov.ph .
Eligible travellers are required to undergo a facility-based quarantine while waiting for their RT-PCR test administered on day six (6). Day one (1) starts on the day of the passenger’s arrival.
PRE-FLIGHT TIPS AND DURING CHECK-IN
As early as 3 days prior to your departure, register and accomplish the Electronic Case Investigation Form and save the confirmation e-mail and QR code:
For land-based OFWs:
For sea-based OFWs:
For land-based OFWs, create/update your account on the OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS) at http://oasis.owwa.gov.ph/
Upon check-in, sign the Declaration and Waiver Form presented by our check-in agent, indicating that you are healthy and fit to travel.
DURING THE FLIGHT
Complete the Health Declaration Form, Bureau of Customs Form, and Arrival Card.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Upon arrival, listen to the briefing conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard.
Undergo a temperature check, submit the Health Declaration Form upon deplaning, and proceed to the designated waiting area. Fill out the Project Care Slip.
For sea-based OFWs, wait for your turn to proceed to the verification booth. Present your QR code. For land-based OFWs, you may skip this step.Clear with immigration and submit the Arrival Card.
Proceed to your respective desks for your quarantine hotel assignment:
For land-based OFWs and your dependents, proceed to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Desk. Present the same QR code from the e-CIF and submit the OWWA Project Care Slip.
For sea-based OFWs and your dependents, proceed to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Desk
Claim your baggage at the designated carousel and clear with Customs Check.
Exit the terminal and wait for your shuttle/bus that will take you to your assigned hotel.
AT THE QUARANTINE HOTEL
Check in at your hotel and wait for the schedule of your test on day 6. Please be reminded that your scheduled test may be postponed the next day or at a later date for any unforeseen circumstances (e.g., typhoons, flash floods, strikes, shift in stricter community quarantine status, etc.).
Day 1 starts on the day you arrive in the Philippines. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell, etc.) at any time before your scheduled test, please inform the hotel you are staying in so a medical or BOQ officer can assess and check up on you immediately.
Your accommodation and food during your stay will be shouldered by the Philippine government. Any additional hotel fees due to required extensions will be shouldered by their governing agency.
ARRIVING HOME
If you test positive, the BOQ shall transfer you to a designated hospital for further medical management.
If you test negative, present your test result together with your medical certificate to the assigned quarantine personnel at your hotel for clearance. For a hard copy of your certificate, printing services will be available at your hotel.
To follow up on your test results, please contact OWWA or your respective LMAs.
Once you are cleared, you may contact your relatives to pick you up and bring you home.
For Land-Based OFWs, you may coordinate with OWWA or use the OWWA Uwian Naportal for further transportation needs after your final point of arrival.
For Sea-Based OFWs, you may coordinate with your Local Manning Agency (LMA) for further transportation needs after your final point of arrival.
Please complete your 14-day quarantine or self-isolation under the monitoring of your LGU and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT)
Common FAQs upon arrival to the Philippines
Please click here for common FAQ’s upon arrival to the Philippines during the current pandemic.
