TGS The Most Important Travel Documents For Your Trip Week 4
TGS The Most Important Travel Documents For Your Trip Week 4
TGS The Most Important Travel Documents For Your Trip Week 4
When traveling abroad, it is also essential to have a valid passport. Many travelers don’t
realize that most countries apply rules in regard to the passport expiration date. For
most countries, visitors must have a valid passport for six-months after they plan to
arrive at their destination, however this period can vary. Either way, if you are planning
a trip abroad, always make sure to check the passport validity requirements and the
expiry date of your passport. This will help avoid unfortunate issues at the airport or at
immigration at your destination country.
Health Travel Documents
Health travel documents are not new to international travel. Certain countries have long
lasting entry requirements such as yellow fever vaccination certificates, however this
was limited to specific countries whereas the COVID-19 travel document entry
requirements have been enforced by the majority of countries around the world.
Currently, we are seeing a reduction in COVID-19 travel restrictions, however it's still
important to check the latest rules before your departure as some might be
implemented at a short notice.
IATA has put in place several solutions such as the IATA Travel Centre to help travelers
and IATA Timatic Widget to help businesses navigate this ever changing environment.
The common platform (database) used to verify the latest COVID-19 travel document
requirements is IATA Timatic. Timatic is powered by human-validated data, meaning a
team of immigration specialists checks each update manually with IATA’s Sourcing
Network of official sources to make sure the information is correct. An update is only
done once one of the 2,000 government or airline officials from the respective country
confirms the change. The team also verifies conflicting reports and make updates only
when they’re 100% sure they’re accurate.
Flight ticket details, accommodation reservations, car rental confirmation, all are
important for your trip. Keeping up with all your reservations can be difficult and having
copies of your itinerary and reservations with you can make your trip go much
smoother. It can help sort out any issues during check-in at the airport or hotel and it’s a
simple way of helping you keep track of your travel plans. You can have these as
printed copies or use one of the several Travel Planner apps or tools that you can find
online. You can even set yourself a reminder to do your check-in or to book a taxi to the
airport in advance.
Unforeseen situations can occur and they can be especially stressful when you are
abroad. That is why travel insurance is important. Travel insurance can be summed up
in two main categories:
It is important to have a copy of your travel insurance certificate with you. Insurance
companies often provide a printer-friendly card or summary that includes emergency
contact details which you should always have with you or you can use their mobile app
so that you have all the required information at your fingertips. It is also recommended
to contact your insurance provider to verify what exactly is covered under your
insurance plan.
Other Documents
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic several countries have introduced passenger
locator forms which must be presented at check-in or at immigration. After filling the
form, travelers are often provided with a QR code or a reference number. Other
documents could also be required, that is why it is always important to check what is
required for your trip when planning your holiday and ideally verifying the requirements
once again closer to your departure date as entry rules and regulations change on a
daily basis.
(1) Are holders of passports valid for at least six (6) months at the time of arrival;
(2) Have a return or outbound ticket to their country of origin or next country of destination;
(3) Have any of the following proofs of vaccination against COVID-19 recognized under existing
IATF regulations: (i) World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and
Prophylaxis; (ii) VaxCertPH; or (iii) National/state digital certificate of the foreign government
which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement (unless otherwise permitted by
the IATF); and
(4) Update: Foreign nationals aged 18 and above who have received primary series COVID-19
vaccine and at least one (1) COVID-19 booster shot, foreign nationals aged 12 to 17 who are
fully vaccinated with primary series COVID-19 vaccine; and foreign nationals below 12 years
old, regardless of vaccination status, accompanied by parent/guardian who have received a
complete primary series and one booster shot NO LONGER need to present a pre-departure
RT-PCR/ART test. Those who do not belong to any of the mentioned categories shall present a
negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within forty-
eight hours (48hrs) or laboratory-administered antigen/ART test taken 24 hours prior to
departure from the country of origin
(5) Have obtained, prior to arrival, travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs from a
reputable insurance company, with a minimum coverage of USD35,000, for the duration of their
stay in the Philippines.
(5) Have filled out the OneHealthPass Health Declaration Form.
Prior to Departure
Upon Arrival
1. Proceed to the One-Stop-Shop Holding Area for a briefing on health and safety
protocols.
2. Present your OHP QR Code at the DOT Help Desk.
3. Proceed to the Bureau of Immigration for arrival clearance then to baggage claim and
customs inspection.
4. Take the accredited or arrange transport service (airport taxi for non-OFWs and
foreigners).
5.
SELF-MONITOR FOR 7 DAYS
Fully vaccinated travelers NO LONGER need to quarantine, but will be required to self-monitor for any
COVID-19 signs and symptoms for 7 days.
Any sign or symptom must be reported to the local government unit of destination.
Once admitted into the country, fully vaccinated foreign nationals are no longer required to
observe mandatory facility quarantine but shall self-monitor for any COVID-19 signs and
symptoms for seven (7) days, with Day 1 as the date of arrival in the Philippines. They are
required to report to the local government unit (LGU) of their destination should they manifest
any symptoms.
Those who fail to fully comply with the conditions set forth shall be denied admission and shall
be subject to appropriate exclusion proceedings.