The Bureau of Immigration reminded the public on Wednesday that the travel restrictions set following the COVID-19 pandemic are still in place.
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said foreign tourists were still not allowed in the country.
The reminder comes following the petition of the #Loveisnottourism movement, which made waves in social media. Said movement has petitioned that foreign fiancés of Filipinos be allowed to enter the country.
However, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Wednesday the country was not yet ready to open to foreigners, as it is a step-by-step process and the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases continued to iron out some issues and set up protocols before this could be allowed.
“We acknowledge the petition of the #Loveisnottourism movement, and we understand how difficult it must be to be separated from your loved one. But this is a temporary measure. We trust the wisdom of the IATF, and we are ready to implement immediately, should there be any changes in travel restrictions,” Morente said.
“Generally speaking, only Filipinos, their spouses and minor children are allowed to enter the country holding tourist visas,” Morente said.
Current restrictions likewise allow foreign children of Filipinos with special needs, foreign parents of minor Filipinos, and foreign parents of Filipino children with special needs to enter the country.
Morente said those eligible to enter were required to secure an entry visa from Philippine embassies or consulates before they come here.
“We have encountered instances when the spouses of Filipinos who previously enjoyed visa-free privileges tried to enter the country under the same manner,” Morente said.
In March, the Department of Foreign Affairs temporarily suspended visa-free privileges, including those pursuant to visa waiver arrangements. A total of 157 countries that previously enjoyed visa-free privileges are now required to secure entry visas from foreign posts.
Apart from those categories, accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents, foreign airline crew members, foreign seafarers with 9(c) visas, and foreigners with long-term visas are also allowed.
Meanwhile, Morente also reminded the public of departure travel restrictions set by the IATF.
Only foreign nationals, Filipino workers, permanent visa holders, students enrolled abroad and participants accepted in exchange visitor programs, and those traveling for essential reasons are allowed to depart the country.
Essential travel, according to Morente, is for immediate business, medical emergency, and other humanitarian reasons. They may be allowed subject to sufficient supporting documents.
“Visiting relatives abroad for a vacation is still not considered under essential travel,” said Morente. “These restrictions were set by the IATF to protect everyone from the threat of Covid-19. If your travel is non-essential, it is best to defer it until the pandemic has subsided.”