Philippines eTravel Pass Requirements: Complete 2025–2026 Checklist

What Is the Philippines eTravel Pass?

The Philippines eTravel Pass is a government-mandated digital registration system that collects passenger health declarations, flight information, and personal travel details in one place. Launched on December 1, 2022, the eTravel Pass replaced the old paper eArrival card that travelers previously filled out on the aircraft or at the airport.

The system is operated by the Bureau of Immigration and accessed exclusively at etravel.gov.ph. Upon completing registration, the eTravel Pass generates a unique QR code that immigration officers scan when you arrive or depart.

The eTravel Pass is used for three purposes: border control, health surveillance by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), and economic data analysis. It is not a visa replacement — travelers who require a visa to enter the Philippines must still obtain one separately.

For full context on how eTravel replaced the paper arrival card, see our guide on the history of the Philippines arrival card and eTravel.

Who Needs to Register for the Philippines eTravel Pass?

Almost all travelers arriving in or departing from the Philippines must register — the requirement applies to all nationalities, regardless of visa type, length of stay, or purpose of visit. To confirm whether eTravel applies to your specific situation, see who is required to register for the Philippines eTravel Pass.

The following travelers are required to register:

• Foreign tourists — all nationalities, arriving by air or sea
• Filipino citizens — returning from abroad (arrival) or leaving the Philippines (departure)
• Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) — returning home or departing
• Balikbayan travelers — Filipinos and their families returning to the Philippines
• Permanent residents and long-term visa holders
• Business travelers and conference attendees
• Crew members — arriving Filipino and foreign crewmembers

The requirement applies at all Philippine international gateways: NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3; Mactan-Cebu International Airport; Clark International Airport; and all other international ports of entry.

Who Is Exempt from eTravel?

• Foreign diplomats and their dependents
• Foreign dignitaries and members of their official delegation
• 9(e) visa holders
• Holders of diplomatic passports
• Holders of official or service passports

Do Transit Passengers Need eTravel?

Transit passengers who exit the transit zone and pass through Philippine immigration must register for the eTravel Pass. If your connecting flight requires you to go through immigration (even briefly), eTravel registration is required before you board your first flight.

Airside transit passengers — travelers who remain within the secure transit area without clearing Philippine immigration — should confirm directly with their airline whether eTravel registration is required for their specific route.

Documents & Information Required for eTravel Registration

To register for the Philippines eTravel Pass, you need exactly 4 items — a valid passport, your flight details, an accommodation address in the Philippines, and an active email address. You do not need to upload any documents or photos; all information is entered manually in the online form.

The 4 Required Items — Complete Checklist

Accommodation Address — What to Enter

The accommodation address is one of the most commonly missed eTravel requirements — it is not listed by most travel guides, yet the eTravel form requires it.

• If staying at a hotel: Enter the hotel's full name and street address (e.g., "Marriott Manila, 10th Avenue corner 41st Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig")
• If staying at an Airbnb or rental: Enter the property's full address from your booking confirmation
• If staying with family or friends: Enter their home address in the Philippines

You only need the address for your first night of accommodation. Look up the hotel address on Google Maps before starting registration — you cannot save and return to the form mid-way.

What You Do NOT Need

• ❌ Passport scan or photo
• ❌ Visa copies
• ❌ COVID-19 vaccination certificate (no longer required)
• ❌ COVID-19 test results
• ❌ Travel insurance documents
• ❌ Return flight ticket upload

With all 4 required items ready, the entire eTravel registration takes 5–10 minutes. See the complete step-by-step registration guide for the Philippines eTravel Pass for a walkthrough of each screen.

When to Register — The 72-Hour Rule Explained

The Philippines eTravel Pass registration window opens exactly 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival or departure. The system does not accept registrations submitted more than 72 hours in advance — this is the most common source of confusion for first-time travelers.

Timing Reference Table

What If Your Flight Is Rescheduled?

If your flight details change after you've completed eTravel registration, you must cancel your existing registration and submit a new one with the updated flight details. The eTravel QR code is tied to your specific flight number, date, and passport — it cannot be transferred to a different flight.

To edit your registration, use the "Edit Registration" tab at etravel.gov.ph as long as your registration has not been processed by border control authorities.

How Much Does Philippines eTravel Registration Cost?

The Philippines eTravel Pass registration is 100% free of charge. The Bureau of Immigration does not charge any processing fee, service charge, or premium registration option. There is no official fast-track payment for eTravel — if a website claims otherwise, it is not legitimate.

The only legitimate website for eTravel registration is: etravel.gov.ph. Learn more about navigating the official eTravel platform.

What to Declare in the eTravel Form

The eTravel form includes two types of declarations: a health declaration (managed by the Bureau of Quarantine) and a customs and goods declaration (managed by the Bureau of Customs). Both are integrated into the eTravel registration process.

Health Declaration (eHDC — Electronic Health Declaration Card)

The eHDC is built into the eTravel registration form and takes approximately 1–2 minutes to complete. It asks about:

• Recent illness: Whether you experienced fever, cough, cold, or other symptoms in the past 30 days
• Current symptoms: Your health condition at time of registration
• Countries visited: Countries you passed through in the 30 days before arriving
• Exposure history: Whether you had contact with anyone with a communicable disease

Answer all questions honestly. The health declaration determines whether you receive a Green QR code (cleared) or Red QR code (flagged for inspection). Leaving questions blank will prevent submission.

Customs Goods & Currency Declaration

Understanding Your eTravel QR Code

After completing eTravel registration, you receive a unique QR code — your proof of registration and means of entry through Philippine immigration. The QR code is valid for your specific registered trip only and must be re-generated for each new journey.

Learn more about your Philippines eTravel QR code — what it looks like and how it's used.

For a full breakdown of the airport process, see Philippines eTravel Pass at the airport.

Is eTravel Still Required in the Philippines in 2025 and 2026?

Yes — the Philippines eTravel Pass remains mandatory for all international travelers as of 2026. The Bureau of Immigration has not announced any plans to discontinue, suspend, or make eTravel optional.

The eTravel Pass was launched on December 1, 2022 as a permanent digital successor to the paper eArrival card system — it was not designed as a temporary COVID-era measure. As of the latest update from the Bureau of Immigration:

• eTravel registration is compulsory for all required traveler categories
• Travelers without eTravel may face delays at the immigration counter
• The requirement applies to all Philippine international airports and seaports