Immigration news update for APAC and EMEA region
Asia-Pacific
Philippines: Revised travel guidelines and restrictions
As of May 30, foreign nationals may enter the Philippines provided they comply with the applicable visa requirements and immigration formalities including:
- Fully vaccinated against COVID-19, excluding minor children below 12 years old traveling with their fully vaccinated foreign parent(s).
- Proof of vaccination, including:
- World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis;
- VaxCertPH;
- National or state digital certificate of the country/foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under reciprocal arrangement; or other proofs of vaccination permitted by the IATF.
- Present negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours or a remotely supervised, or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result administered and certified by healthcare professional in healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishment prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin / first port of embarkation. However, the following are exempt from this pre-departure testing requirements:
- Foreign nationals aged 18 and above who have received primary series COVID-19 vaccine, and at least one COVID-19 booster shot.
- Foreign nationals aged 12 to 17 who are fully vaccinated.
- Foreign nationals aged below 12 regardless of their vaccination status, who are accompanied by their parents or guardians who are fully vaccinated with booster shot.
- Passports valid for a period of at least six months at the time of their arrival in the Philippines.
- Temporary visitors must have a valid return or outbound ticket to their country of origin or next destination corresponding to their allowable duration of stay under a valid visa or visa-free entry.
- Foreign nationals from visa-free countries under Executive Order 408 – return/outbound ticket not later than 30 days.
- Foreign nationals from visa-required countries – return/outbound ticket within the allowed maximum stay. However, this does not apply to foreign spouse and/or children of Filipino citizens, and former Filipino citizens with balikbayan privileges including their foreign spouse and/or children who are: (i) not balikbayan in their own right, and (ii) travelling with them in the Philippines.
The travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is no longer required, but highly encouraged. Foreign nationals who fail to fully comply with the conditions and pre-requisites above shall be denied admission into the country and shall be subject to the appropriate exclusion proceedings. Once admitted, they are no longer required to observe the facility-based quarantine but shall self-monitor for symptoms for seven days.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Republic of Philippines and Bureau of Immigration.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager (APAC).Â
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Netherlands: Implementation of online filing system
From June 1, 2022, employers filing for a short-term work permit applications with the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) will need to submit applications online through the UWV Werkgeversportaal portal. Through June 30, 2022, short-term applications can still be submitted in a hard copy through regular mail. The aim is to reduce processing times and to allow employers to track short-term work permit applications more effectively.
No source available at the time of writing.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager (EMEA).
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