How to Fill the Philippines Arrival Card: Tourist Entry Guide

If you’re traveling to the Philippines in 2026, forget about old paper arrival forms—everything’s digital now. The Philippine government replaced the traditional arrival card with the eTravel registration (officially called the Philippine e-arrival card) back in 2022, and it’s still a mandatory step for most travelers.

What Is the Philippines Arrival Card (eTravel)?

PH replaces One Health Pass with new eArrival card. Here's what ...

The Philippines Arrival Card is a digital immigration and customs declaration form, it’s not a visa. It replaces the old paper forms you used to fill out on planes or at the airport. The government uses it to collect essential info:

• Basic personal details (full name, date of birth, contact info)
• Passport details (number, issue/expiry dates, issuing country)
• Travel info (flight number, country of departure, accommodation address)
• Customs declaration (food, agricultural products, cash over USD 10,000)
• Health declaration (recent travel to restricted areas, illness history, vaccination status if required)

It’s 100% online, free to use, and takes 5–10 minutes to complete. Once submitted, you’ll get a QR code—save it digitally (phone) or print a copy to show at immigration and customs.

Who Needs to Complete Philippine eTravel Card?

Most people traveling to the Philippines need to fill it out, but there’s one big exception (this rule started in late 2025 and still stands):

• You need it if: You’re a foreign tourist, business traveler, student, transit passenger, an OFW who’s not coming back to stay, or any non-Filipino citizen.
• You don’t need it if: You’re a Filipino citizen coming back home (including returning residents). Immigration stopped making them do it once COVID cases went down.

Quick heads-up for American Travelers

Even if you are traveling on a US Passport (or from other visa-free countries like Singapore or Malaysia) and staying for less than 30 days, you still have to do the eTravel.

It is important to remember that the eTravel registration is a border security and health declaration—it is entirely separate from visa rules. Always ensure you register via the official government portal within 72 hours of your flight to avoid delays at the gate.

How to Get & Fill the Philippine eTravel Card?

Follow these steps—do it within 72 hours before your departure from your home country to avoid long airport lines. The official portal is the only one you need.

1. Access the official eTravel portal: Go to etravel.gov.ph on your phone or computer. Select the “Arriving” option (for travelers entering the Philippines).
2. Fill in personal & passport details: Enter your full name (as shown on your passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport issue/expiration date and country of issue. Check it carefully - mistakes can cause delays.
3. Add travel details: Enter your flight number, the date/time of departure from your home country, the date/time of arrival in the Philippines, and your accommodation address (hotel name, address, or a friend/family member's home if you are staying with someone).
4. Complete customs declaration: Be honest here - if the food, plants, animals, or cash you carry exceeds $10,000 (or equivalent), declare. Undeclared items can be seized.
5. Finish health declaration: Answer some simple questions about recent visits to restricted countries, exposure to infectious diseases or recent illness. In 2026, most travelers will not need proof of vaccination (unless the government updates it).
6. Submit & save your QR code: After viewing all the information, submit the form. You will receive a QR code via email (or you can save it directly from the portal website). Carry this QR code with you at all times - you can scan it upon entry.

If you forget to do so before departure, the staff of the Philippine Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) will assist you at the airport, but this will slow you down.

Required Documents for Philippines eTravel Card

Prepare these when you fill out the form - you need to refer to them:

• Valid passport: It must be valid for at least six months after arrival. Also, make sure there are two blank stamps (not just the small back pages). A damaged passport (tears, water damage) cannot be used. If your passport is damaged, please renew it.
• Confirm flight information: your flight number, departure and arrival dates, and the name of the airline.
• Accommodation information: The complete address of your hotel, Airbnb or the place where you and your friends/family are staying.
• Children: Even infants need their own passports (you cannot add them to your passport) and their own electronic travel forms. They also have to follow the same passport rules.

How to Enter the Philippines (Step-by-Step Entry Process)?

If you are ready, entering the Philippines is very simple. The following is the complete process from before departure to upon arrival:

1. Pre-Departure (Do This Before You Fly)

• Complete eTravel registration: Do so within 72 hours of departure (using etravel.gov.ph). Save the QR code digitally and print a backup.
• Check visa requirements: As a U.S. citizen, you do not need to apply for a visa at an embassy or consulate for short-term visits. You are granted visa-free entry for a stay of up to 30 days, provided your stay is for tourism or business purposes.
• Pack required docs: passport (in compliance with regulations), eTravel QR code, confirmation of return air ticket (the immigration office may ask to view it to prove that you have not overstayed), accommodation reservation (confirmed by hotel /Airbnb).

2. On the Plane

• Flight attendants may issue physical customs declaration forms, but this is optional. Your e-travel already includes customs information - as long as you show the QR code at customs, you can skip the paper form.
• Keep your electronic travel QR code, passport and visa (if applicable) easily accessible - you will need them immediately upon landing.

3. Arrival at the Airport (Immigration)

• Join the “Foreign Nationals” line (or “Visa-Exempt” line if applicable—look for signs).
• Hand over: passport, electronic travel QR code (digital or printed) and visa (if you are not a visa-free visitor).
• The immigration authorities might ask some simple questions: "How long will you stay?" Where do you live? What is the purpose of your trip? Answer clearly, no detailed explanation is needed.
• They will stamp the date of entry and the duration of stay on your passport, carefully check the stamp to ensure it matches your planned travel time.

Bacolod–Silay International Airport, Philippines

4. Baggage Claim

• Head to the baggage carousel with your flight number. If your bag is lost/damaged, report it to your airline’s baggage service desk immediately (keep your boarding pass handy).

5. Customs

• If you have nothing to declare (no food, plants or more than $10,000 in cash), please go through the "Nothing to Declare" line.
• If you do have something to declare, use the "Declare" line. Show them your electronic travel QR code - they will cross-compare it with what you say.
• Don't lie about restricted foods such as fresh fruits or meats. Customs inspection is very strict. If they find undeclared items, you will be fined.

6. Post-Arrival

• You can go now! Call a taxi, Grab (the Philippine version of Uber), or take the airport shuttle to your accommodation. Visitors do not need to register separately.
• If you need to stay longer than the time permitted by the stamp on your passport (and you meet the requirements), you can extend your stay at the immigration office in major cities such as Manila or Cebu.

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