Philippines eTravel Pass:  Registration Guide (2025–2026)

The Philippines eTravel Pass is a digital single data collection platform launched on December 2022 by the Bureau of Immigration to replace the paper eArrival card.

Before all travelers arriving in the Philippines had to complete a physical eArrival card — a paper document collected by immigration officers.

The Bureau of Immigration replaced this system with the eTravel Pass, a centralized online form accessed at etravel.gov.ph.

The Philippines eTravel Pass collects passenger health declarations, flight information, and personal travel details in one place — eliminating paper forms at the airport entirely.

The system is operated mainly by the Bureau of Immigration. Upon completion, the eTravel Pass system generates a unique QR code that immigration officers scan when you arrive or depart.

NOTE: The eTravel Pass replaced the older eArrival card system and is unrelated to any visa requirement. It is a travel declaration tool, not a visa or travel permit.

Who Needs to Register for the Philippines eTravel Pass?

Almost all international travelers and Filipino citizens (also foreign residents) arriving in and departing the Philippines must register for eTravel.

Travelers Arriving in the Philippines

People entering the Philippines through an international port — whether by air or sea — or departing must complete eTravel registration. This includes:

  • Foreign tourists, regardless of nationality
  • Filipino citizens returning from abroad
  • Business travelers and conference attendees
  • OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) returning home
  • Balikbayan travelers (returning Filipinos)
  • Holders of visa-on-arrival, tourist visas, or long-stay permits

The requirement applies regardless of which airport you land at — NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Clark International Airport, or any other international gateway.

Transit Travelers

Passengers with a connecting flight through a Philippine airport who exit the transit zone and go through immigration also need to register for the Philippines eTravel Pass.

If you are on airside transit (remaining within the secure transit area without passing through immigration), confirm with your airline whether eTravel registration is required.

Philippines eTravel Pass – Exemptions

Under current Philippine travel regulations, most travelers are required to complete the eTravel registration before arrival or departure.

However, the following individuals are exempt from the eTravel Pass requirement:

  • Foreign diplomats and their dependents
  • Foreign dignitaries and members of their official delegation
  • 9(e) visa holders
  • Holders of diplomatic passports
  • Holders of official/service passports

These categories of travelers are generally processed through separate diplomatic or official channels and are therefore not required to register in the standard eTravel system.

All other travelers, including regular foreign nationals and Filipino citizens, must complete the required eTravel registration prior to travel to or from the Philippines.

Is eTravel Philippines Free?

The Philippines eTravel Pass registration is 100% free of charge — the only legitimate website is etravel.gov.ph.

The Bureau of Immigration has explicitly confirmed that Philippines eTravel registration costs nothing.

No processing fee, no service charge, no premium registration option. If you encounter a website charging $5, $10, or any fee to “help you register for eTravel Philippines,” it is not a legitimate site.

Is the Philippines eTravel Pass Still Required in 2025–2026?

The Philippines eTravel Pass remains mandatory for all international travelers as of 2026, with no announcement from the Bureau of Immigration to discontinue or suspend the requirement.

The eTravel Pass has been continuously required since its launch on December 1, 2022.

Unlike some COVID-era travel rules that were eventually removed, the Philippines eTravel Pass was designed as a permanent digital successor to the paper eArrival card system — not a temporary health measure.

As of the latest update from the Bureau of Immigration and immigration.gov.ph, eTravel registration is compulsory. Travelers who arrive at the airport without eTravel registration may face delays at the immigration counter.

Always check official sources before your trip for any updates, as requirements may be adjusted by the Philippine authorities without advance notice.

What You Need to Register

To register for the Philippines eTravel Pass, you need 4 things: a valid passport, your flight details, an accommodation address in the Philippines, and an email address to create your account.

Prepare the following before starting your registration:

  • ✅ Valid passport — passport number, date of expiry, nationality.
  • ✅ Flight details — airline name, flight number, departure date, and time.
  • ✅ Accommodation address — hotel name and address, or home address if staying with family/friends.
  • ✅ Email address — for account creation and registration confirmation.

You do not need to upload any documents or photos. All information is entered manually in the online form. The entire form can be completed in 5–10 minutes if you have all the details ready.

eTravel registration does not replace a visa. If your nationality requires a visa to enter the Philippines, obtain the permit separately. The eTravel Pass is an additional, standalone requirement — not part of the visa process.

How to Register for the Philippines eTravel Pass (Step by Step)

Registration for the Philippines eTravel Pass takes a few minutes at etravel.gov.ph and follows 5 steps — no payment is required at any point.

Step 1: Go to etravel.gov.ph

Open a web browser (Chrome or Firefox recommended) and navigate directly to etravel.gov.ph. Do not use links from unofficial websites or travel agencies. The official site displays the Philippine government logo and the Bureau of Immigration seal.

Step 2: Create an Account

Click “Sign Up” or “Create Account.” Enter your email address and set a password. Confirm your email by clicking the verification link sent to your inbox. Save your login credentials — you’ll need them to access your QR code later.

  • If you’ve registered before, use your existing account.
  • One account can be used to register multiple passengers (family members, travel companions).

Step 3: Enter Your Travel Details

Log in and start a new registration. Enter:

  • Passport information (number, nationality, expiry date, country of issue)
  • Flight details (airline, flight number, date, departure city)
  • Accommodation address in the Philippines
  • Purpose of visit (tourism, business, returning Filipino, etc.)

Double-check all details before proceeding — editing after submission is limited.

Step 4: Complete the Health Declaration

The Philippines eTravel Pass includes an integrated health declaration survey required by the Department of Health.

Answer questions about recent illnesses, current symptoms, and vaccination status (if applicable). This section takes approximately 1–2 minutes.

IMPORTANT: The health declaration is a standard questionnaire — answering “no” to all health conditions is acceptable if accurate. Do not leave any questions blank.

Step 5: Save Your QR Code

After submitting, the eTravel system generates your unique QR code. This is your proof of registration. You can:

  • Screenshot the QR code on your phone.
  • Download PDF for printing.
  • Save to email — a confirmation is sent to your registered email address.

A printed or digital QR code is accepted at immigration. The QR code is valid for your specific registered trip only — you must re-register for each separate journey.

When to Register for the Philippines eTravel Pass (Timing Rules)

The Philippines eTravel Pass registration window opens no more than 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or departure — you cannot register earlier than this window.

This is the most common source of confusion: many travelers try to complete eTravel weeks in advance and find the system won’t accept their registration.

The etravel.gov.ph system restricts registration to within 72 hours (3 days) of your travel date.

Register 48 hours before departure to have time to troubleshoot any technical issues (website errors, QR not loading) before you need to be at the airport.

If your flight is rescheduled after you’ve completed eTravel registration, you may need to cancel your existing registration and re-register with the updated flight details. The system ties your QR code to specific flight and date information.

What to Do at the Airport with Your Philippines eTravel Pass

Show your eTravel QR code to the immigration officer on your phone screen or as a printed copy — it is scanned at the immigration counter, not at check-in.

On Arrival

When you land at a Philippine airport, proceed to the immigration counter. Before checking your passport, or as part of the passport check, the immigration officer will ask for your eTravel QR code.

Open your phone or present your printout. The officer scans the QR code — this takes 10–30 seconds. Your Philippines eTravel Pass information is retrieved instantly.

  • NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport): All terminals (T1, T2, T3) — eTravel scanners at immigration counters
  • Mactan-Cebu International Airport: Same process at immigration
  • Clark International Airport: Same process

The eTravel QR code does not replace your boarding pass. Your airline boarding pass is separate and required for boarding. Show eTravel only at immigration.

On Departure

When departing the Philippines, you may be asked to show your eTravel departure registration at check-in or at the departure immigration desk.

Particularly for Filipino citizens departing, the departure health declaration form from etravel.gov.ph is checked. Have your QR code ready at both check-in and immigration.

Special Cases: OFW, Family & Groups

OFW travelers use a modified eTravel process tied to their OFW documentation; family groups and multiple passengers can be registered under a single eTravel account.

OFW Registration

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have a separate departure process regulated by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and POLO.

The eTravel Philippines Pass requirement overlaps with — but is distinct from — the OFW Pass.

Key distinctions:

  • OFW Pass: A document certifying OFW departure clearance (from POEA/POLO)
  • eTravel Pass: Still required for OFWs regardless of OFW Pass status

OFWs departing the Philippines must complete the eTravel departure form at etravel.gov.ph in addition to their POEA clearance process.

The 2 are not interchangeable. If you’re an OFW returning to the Philippines, complete the standard arrival form.

Registering Family Members

One Philippines eTravel account can cover multiple passengers. To register family members:

  1. Log in to your etravel.gov.ph account.
  2. Start a new registration for each additional passenger.
  3. Complete all fields for each family member separately.
  4. Each person receives their own unique QR code.

Parents or guardians complete the eTravel registration on behalf of minors. All fields (passport number, seat number) are required, even for infants. Each child needs their own QR code.

Tour groups and business delegations can register multiple members from a shared account, but each individual registration is separate and generates a distinct QR code.

Your eTravel QR Code: Validity and What to Show

The Philippines eTravel QR code is valid for your specific registered trip only — it is linked to your flight number, date, and passport. You must register again for each new journey.

The eTravel QR code is not a multi-use pass. Once it is scanned at immigration for your registered trip, it is considered used. For your next trip to the Philippines, you must complete a new registration within the fresh 72-hour window before that flight.

How to save and present your QR code:

  • Screenshot on phone — both Android and iOS accepted
  • Printed A4 page — standard size, clearly visible QR
  • Email confirmation — etravel.gov.ph sends confirmation to your registered email with a QR code attached

QR code not showing? If your QR code fails to load after completing registration, try logging out and back in to your account.

The QR is generated within seconds of submission. If still not displaying, see the Troubleshooting section below.

What happens if you lose your QR? Log back into etravel.gov.ph with your email and password — your completed registrations and QR codes are stored in your account.

What if Philippines eTravel is Not Working?

If etravel.gov.ph is not loading, your QR code isn’t generating, or you’re getting error messages, try these 5 fixes before heading to the airport.

The eTravel Philippines website occasionally experiences high traffic — particularly on weekends and during peak travel periods. Below are the most effective solutions:

Fix 1: Use Incognito / Private Browsing Mode
Open an incognito or private window in Chrome or Firefox. This bypasses cached data and cookie conflicts — the most common cause of login and loading issues.

Fix 2: Switch Browsers
Chrome and Firefox work best with etravel.gov.ph. If you’re using Safari, Edge, or an in-app browser (Facebook browser, Gmail app), switch to a standalone Chrome or Firefox browser.

Fix 3: Switch to Mobile Data
If you’re on WiFi, try switching to your phone’s mobile data connection. Some corporate WiFi networks or VPNs block government domain requests.

Fix 4: Clear Cache and Cookies
In your browser settings, clear cache and cookies, then reload etravel.gov.ph. This resolves “session expired” errors and form submission failures.

Fix 5: Try Again Later
If the site appears fully down (error 503 or timeout), the server may be temporarily overloaded. Wait 30–60 minutes and try again. Peak times: Sunday evenings, Philippine public holidays.

Limited editing is available within the 72-hour window after submission. For significant changes (wrong flight number, wrong name), cancel the registration and re-register with the correct details.

Contact the Bureau of Immigration helpdesk if you cannot resolve an edit issue.

If the website is down at the airport, inform the immigration officer. Philippine immigration officers are aware of technical issues and may process you with additional documentation.

Keep your passport, boarding pass, and booking confirmation accessible.

FAQs About the Philippines eTravel Pass

Is eTravel still required in the Philippines in 2025 and 2026?

The Philippines eTravel Pass remains mandatory for all international travelers as of 2026. The Bureau of Immigration has not announced any plans to discontinue or suspend the requirement.

How do I register for eTravel Philippines?

Register at etravel.gov.ph — the only official website. Create a free account with your email, enter your passport details, flight information, and accommodation address, complete the health declaration survey, and save the generated QR code.

Is the Philippines eTravel Pass free?

The Bureau of Immigration does not charge any fee for eTravel registration.

When should I register for eTravel Philippines?

Register no earlier than 72 hours before your scheduled arrival or departure — the system does not accept registrations outside this window.

Can I register my family in eTravel Philippines?

One eTravel Philippines account can be used to register multiple passengers. Each family member or travel companion requires their own separate registration entry.

Do foreigners need to register for the Philippines eTravel Pass?

Almost all foreign nationals arriving in the Philippines must register for the Philippines eTravel Pass, regardless of nationality or length of stay.

What QR code do I show at the airport?

Show the QR code after completing your registration. It can be displayed on your phone screen (screenshot or in-app PDF) or printed on paper.

Do Filipino citizens need eTravel to depart the Philippines?

Philippine passport holders departing the Philippines must complete the eTravel departure form.

What replaced the eArrival card in the Philippines?

The Philippines eTravel Pass replaced the paper eArrival card on December 1, 2022. The eArrival card was a physical document collected at the aircraft or at the airport.

How long is the Philippines eTravel Pass valid?

The Philippines eTravel QR code is valid for your specific registered trip only. The QR code does not expire in a calendar sense; it is simply single-use per registered trip.

What if etravel.gov.ph is not working?

Try incognito mode, switch to Chrome or Firefox, use mobile data instead of WiFi, and clear your browser cache. If the site is temporarily down, wait 30–60 minutes and try again.

Can I edit my eTravel Philippines registration after submission?

Limited edits are possible within the 72-hour registration window. For major corrections (incorrect flight number, name mismatch), cancel the registration and submit a new one with the correct details.