Immigration updates for China, Philippines, Singapore and Sweden
Asia-Pacific
China: Valid Residence Permits
The Chinese Embassy in Chile has suspended permission for all non-Chinese citizens to enter China. Valid Chinese Residence Permit holders intending to exit and re-enter China are advised to check the actual situation in their respective destination countries before finalizing travel plans.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Chinese Embassies. No webpage source at the time of writing.
Philippines: Travel restrictions
Following the Inter-agency Task Force Against Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution No. 100 Series dated February 18, 2021, the following foreign nationals are now allowed to enter the Philippines:
- Those with valid and existing visas at arrival time who were not permitted to enter under previous IATF resolutions.
- Holders of valid and existing Special Resident Retiree’s Visas (SRRV) and Section 9(A) visas must present a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) entry exemption to the immigration counter upon arrival.
Foreign nationals who are eligible to enter are subject to the following conditions:
- With a valid and existing visa at the time of entry (excluding those qualified under the Balikbayan Program under Republic Act No. 6768 or the Act Instituting the Balikbayan Program).
- With a valid (or validly extended) re-entry permit for immigrants or special return certificate for non-immigrants (unless otherwise exempt).
- With pre-booked accommodation for at least six nights in a Department of Health (DOH) – accredited quarantine hotel (except for Section 9(e) visa holders).
- Subject to Covid-19 testing at the quarantine hotel on the fifth day from the date of arrival.
- Subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry.
This information was prepared using information obtained from the Republic of Philippines.
Travel Pass as new departure requirement
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) implemented on March 1, an interim monitoring system of foreign nationals in the Philippines pursuant to IATF Resolution No. 99-A Series of 2021 dated February 11, 2021.
All departing foreign nationals, except those holding an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) from the BI, will be required to secure a Travel Pass from the same agency that issued their visa. It should be presented to the immigration counters upon departure.
The Travel Pass is only meant for single use and is valid for 30 days from its issuance.
In exceptional urgent cases when a foreign national is unable to present a Travel Pass, the BI shall verify with the visa-issuing agency that a Travel Pass has been duly issued or the need for emergency departure has been reported.
Foreign nationals who fail to present their duly issued Travel Pass shall not be permitted departure unless confirmed by the visa-issuing agencies.
This information was prepared using information obtained from the Bureau of Immigration.
Singapore: S Pass quota
The S Pass quota for foreign workers in the manufacturing sector will be reduced to 15 percent by 2023.
- The quota for S Pass workers in the manufacturing sector will be reduced in January 2022 from 20 percent to 18 percent, and subsequently to 15 percent in January 2023.
- Foreign nationals seeking to obtain an S Pass after these quota reductions may not be able to enter Singapore if their employer has already met the foreign worker quota ceiling.
Click here to find changes to the S Pass dependency ratio ceiling and sub-dependency ratio ceiling.
Existing S Pass holders may not be able to renew their passes if their company exceeds the quota. Companies must closely monitor their overall quota eligibility.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Ministry of Manpower.
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).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Sweden: Latest coronavirus guidelines 
Due to the new strains of the virus, arrivals are required to get tested for Covid-19 and to self-isolate. Below are the latest guidelines:
- Passengers, including Swedish residents, are required to get tested immediately after arrival and again five days later.
- Anyone who has previously tested positive for antibodies, are recommended to get tested again after their arrival.
- Individuals who were tested before their departure (usually 48 to 72 hours) do not have to get tested after their arrival, but should after five days.
- This requirement also applies to children of six years and older.
- While waiting for the test results, arrivals should stay at home or in a hotel (there are no quarantine hotels or enforced accommodation), avoid close contact with others and maintain good hygiene.
- Self-isolation is also required for at least seven days after arrival.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Public Health Agency of Sweden.
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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