Govt suspends visas for foreigners amid COVID-19 surge

The Philippine government, through the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID), has suspended the issuance of visas to all foreign nationals entering the country, effective immediately, in response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

This suspension also covers visa-free privileges for holders of certain passports, including those from Hong Kong and Macau, as well as British nationals overseas.

Foreign nationals who already possess previously issued visas will also be denied entry into the Philippines starting March 22.

Exemptions to this visa suspension include officials from accredited foreign governments and international organizations, along with their dependents.

Also exempted are foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals, whose existing visas will continue to be honored.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is set to release a circular detailing the implementation of this visa suspension.

Separately, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is tasked with certifying distressed overseas Filipino workers for accommodation during their mandatory quarantine upon returning to the country.