Everything You Need to Know About the e-Travel System

All forms of travel to the Philippines have resumed after a couple of years of restrictions due to the pandemic, but visitors still need to check off a few boxes before booking a flight to the island country.

That's why getting an affordable house and lot near the major airports in the country as an investment, just like what Lumina Homes offer, is always an advantage.

Also, during that time, the eArrival card was a mandatory piece of Philippine travel documentation. But these days, the eArrival card has been formally replaced with the e-Travel Card, a new initiative by the Philippine government to streamline the admission process.

How did the e-Travel System Start?

We can remember in December last year that the Philippines switched over all of its foreign visitors to the computerized eTravel System.

The One Health Pass, which had been created as part of the travel regulations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been replaced by the new platform. Although it has been available to passengers for the last year, many individuals still choose to use the tried and true method of filling out arrival and departure cards by hand.

Transitioning to a full-scale e-Travel implementation

It was announced by Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco on April 15, 2023 that the eTravel System will be fully implemented on that day, and that all travelers, both domestic and international, would be compelled to utilize the system beginning on that date.

It has also been anounced that on May 1, 2023, the Bureau of Immigration would no longer issue or accept paper-based arrival and departure cards.

Since the eTravel System's complete rollout for Philippine inbound and outbound passengers starts on April 15, we've included all the information you'll need to plan your trip.

What is an e-Travel Card?

eTravel is an online Health Declaration and Contact Tracing software that facilitates smooth travel for foreign visitors from their home country to their destination's local government. Before boarding a trip to the Philippines, every passenger, regardless of nationality, must register with the eTravel system. This includes babies and children.

The electronic Travel Card, also known as an e-Travel Card, has superseded the previously required One Health Pass (OHP) for admission into the Philippines. The decision by Philippine health officials to simplify the arrival procedure is reflected in the new card's streamlined design and reduced information requirements.

Why did the Philippine government develop this system?

The purpose of creation of this database is to provide the Philippine government with a means of identifying potential contacts of infected foreign visitors. With the reopening of all countries for revenge travel, the Philippines hopes to attract 5 million foreign visitors by streamlining its tourism process with this new approach.

When asked about the addition of the departure form, BI Commissioner Norman Tangsingco said that it is part of the country's effort to centralize data collecting for purposes of border control, health monitoring, and economic data analysis. This action assures and also speeds up the immigration clearance process, cooperation between border management agencies, and the conservation of public funds.

How much is the e-Travel card?

There is no cost associated with registering for eTravel, and no financial information will be collected or requested at any time. Be wary of websites and organizations that demand money upfront before allowing you to use their services.

Get Ready to Jet-Set with this Complete Guide to eTravel Registration

The eTravel system is a web-based, mobile-friendly internet platform for obtaining and sharing travel-related data. The eTravel may be accessed from any web browser, whether on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Who needs an e-Travel Card application?

All arriving passengers and departing passengers must register with eTravel services in accordance with the most recent regulations put out by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

When should I register?

Individual applications for eTravel registration must be made at least 72 hours before your departure from the place of origin for all incoming travelers and at least 72 hours before your scheduled time of arrival in the Philippines. This includes foreigners and Filipino citizens, as well as babies and toddlers.

Important Note: Filling out the eTravel registration form is mandatory since passengers will be asked to provide proof of registration upon boarding.

How to register on the e-Travel system?

Visitors and crew members entering or departing the Philippines must now register their trip details on the e-Travel portal at https://etravel.gov.ph/, as the new system shifts toward a paperless method.

Step 1. To begin your registration, visit the website and enter your data (passport type, trip purpose, mode of transportation, departure date, and e-mail address).

Step 2. Start by creating your profile, which should include your Full name, Passport number, Gender, Birth Date, Citizenship, Country of birth, Occupation, and Mobile number

Step 3. Provide the full address of your house and lot in the Philippines or another country, including your city/municipality/state, of your permanent place of residence.

Step 4. Go ahead and fill out the travel registration form. Provide information such as Date of departure, Country of destination and destination address, Purpose of travel, Traveler type,, Name of airline and flight number, and your Airport of departure.

Step 5. Finally, review the registration summary for accuracy before submitting.

eTravel System QR Code

After completing the required fields, the system will produce a personal QR code in green or red as verification of registration. Remember that you'll need to either print it off, take a snapshot of it, or download it before boarding your flight or entering the country.

Green QR Code

When all of the necessary information and attachments have been uploaded to the eTravel system, you will be issued a Green QR Code. If all of your online registration information and accompanying papers are accepted, you will get a Green QR Code and be able to use the airport's "Express Lane" at your scheduled arrival date and time. There may be no requirement for a follow-up interview or paperwork.

Red QR Code

However, if your QR card is red, it signifies that you are missing certain paperwork. The airport will conduct an interview and need you to manually update your paperwork to assess whether you are fit to fly.

The interview is also used to decide whether or not you will be quarantined and need a quick Antigen test.

Important Note: A single scan is all that is allowed for a given QR code. The purpose of this is to ensure that the system is still in accordance with the Data Privacy Act. 

Doing your e-Travel registration can be a hassle if you don't have a reliable internet connection in the community.

Trusted developers like Lumina Homes don't only offer affordable house and lot for sale to every Filipino but also provide a stable and fast internet connection inside its subdivision through its partnership with Streamtech.

Experience cost-efficient, modern, and innovative homeownership with Lumina Homes and make your reservations now!