Hello Kabayans, if you are a returning OFW or wish to travel home in upcoming days, this guide is important for you and it will help you a lot as it contain each and every step you need to take before and after arrival to the Philippines.
The return process is handled by, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of health, Philippines Red cross and IATF Philippines. Let’s begin learning the entry procedure for overseas Filipinos.
Important: e-CIF registration is important for each and every OFW, for those who do not register will not be allowed to clear the immigration counter, it is advisable to register before 3 days you travel or prior to travel. if not you must fill the form at airport which may cause delay in clearance.
There are below 8 steps for returning Filipinos to follow, which are:
1. Registration on Red Cross
2. Confirmation Email or QR Code
3. Briefing at Airport
4. Verification and Barcoding
5. Swab Test
6. Immigration counter
7. Quarantine facility assignment
8. Test Result (Positive/Negative)
Step 1: Registration on e-CIF:
The first step is to register yourself on Red Cross website which will share your data with department of health, fill form very carefully, keep your passport in front of you while filling the form as any mistake in name; spelling can result to delay in your release. Once written, check again the data you entered and click submit.
To start registration, click below link.
Step 2: Email confirmation & QR Code:
Once you have completed the registration on Red Cross Philippines website, you will receive a confirmation email with your personal QR code. You may print or save the QR code in your smart phone.
Note: you will need both the QR code and your original passport as you go through the process; keep both things ready when you arrive in the Philippines.
Step 3: Briefing upon Arrival:
Upon arrival in the Philippines, a short orientation on re-entry procedures will be given to all passengers, listen carefully to the briefing as it contain very important steps to follow later.
Step 4: Verification and BARCODING:
After short briefing at airport, present your passport and the received QR code in email at the verification counter, note that there might be a short interview with regard to your travel record, don’t worry it’s for verification purpose only.
Once the verification done, you will receive 6 barcode stickers, keep them safe as you will need to paste all 6 as you go through the re-entry process.
Oh yes, just stick one on your passport back side as the other 5 stickers will be handed over to the person administering your swab test (covid19 testing personnel).
Step 5: SWAB Testing:
As we said above, surrender the 5 barcode stickers at the swabbing both, show them your passport (barcode). You will now be tested (swab test).
Step 6: Visit Immigration counter:
As all of us know passing Philippine immigration counter is a bit hard and for that reason we already have a guide on how to pass Philippine immigration counter, you can check it out if necessary.
Ok, so once you have done the swab test, go the immigration counter and follow the officer said steps, you need to show your passport at immigration counter with the barcode sticker as the barcode sticker contain your all latest travelling record.
Step 7: Quarantine Assignment:
Once clear from immigration, you will be directed to visit the help desk related to quarantine facility assignment. If you are OFW, go to OWWA help desk. If you are a tourist (non-ofw) go to tourism help desk.
You may fill and sign a form here, don’t worry these help desks are very professional which will provide you your assigned hotel or quarantine facility where you will stay for few days (until your test result come). These help desks will also arrange your transportation from airport to hotels (quarantine place).
Step 8: Swab Test Result:
After above all 7 steps, you are now at quarantine hotel waiting for your test result, the result will be sent to you through your provided email and mobile number which you register on Red Cross website.
The test results can take up to 72 hours, if your test come negative, you will be given a government approved health certificate as a proof mentioning that you are free to travel.
If your test result comes positive, you will be treated until your recovery.
Important Points and FAQs:
Any individual who is travelling to the Philippines need to complete the registration on Red Cross website, the e-CIF must be filled up prior to immigration. It is best to be filled up prior to arrival in the Philippines, and it can be completed 3 days prior to arrival in the Philippines.
Those who have not accomplished the form will be required to fill in and submit their form electronically before they can proceed for immigration clearance. This will unnecessarily delay their immigration clearance. If left unaccomplished, the traveler will be unable to go pass through immigration.
Make sure that you have your passport with you while filling up the form and that you double-check your spelling. Any mistakes can cause delays in receiving your test results.
Upon arrival to Philippines, all passengers will undergo a swab test (RT PCR COVID-19 testing) to be performed by trained personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The test results will be communicated by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).
Every person arriving in the Philippines must be quarantined until they have received a negative COVID-19 test result, and comply with mandatory 14-Day quarantine at home.
While waiting for their results, passengers must stay in a government-designated stringent quarantine facility or in a BOQ approved Quarantine hotel.
All those whose test results are positive will be transferred to a designated hospital for further medical management.
During your stay at quarantine center, you can contact the 24 hours open help lines or help desks regarding your stay, test result, required facility or service on 1158 toll free.
That’s it, hopefully you query regarding how to enter Philippine or what are the requirement for an ofw to enter Philippine is clear now, if not still you can ask your question in our group. If you care Share this guide with all Kabayans.
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