Philippines remains closed to foreign tourists, says BI

FILE PHOTO: Foreign tourists enjoy the sun on Boracay Island in the Visayas. INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) clarified on Tuesday that the Philippines is still closed to foreign tourists.

According to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, the bureau will continue to limit the entry of foreign tourists until the government decides to open the country’s borders.

“The country remains closed to foreign tourists. Only those under the allowed categories as set by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases), if coming from green or yellow countries may be admitted to enter,” he said in a statement.

Morente said his clarification was prompted by reports that BI offices were being swamped with queries from persons who assumed that foreign tourists can now enter the country after Metro Manila was placed under the less restrictive COVID-19 Alert Level 2.

However, Morente reiterated that presently, only Filipinos, balikbayans, and foreigners with valid and existing visas issued by the BI and other specialized Philippine government agencies are being allowed to enter the country.

Meanwhile, those who wish to travel to the Philippines under a tourist visa may only do so if they apply for temporary visitors’ visas and secure an entry exemption document (EED) from Philippine posts abroad.

“We advise the public to refer to our website and social media pages to keep themselves updated on our latest advisories on guidelines and requirements for international travelers,” he said.

Morente previously announced that the BI is ready for foreign tourists after presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the country will accept international tourists “in due time.”

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