Philippines visa requirements and travel medical insurance guide

January 03, 2019

The Philippines is an indulgently picturesque country with an array of beautiful golden beaches. It’s a very popular tourist destination as it’s a perfect getaway for relaxation, adventure and exploring its unrefined landscape. There’s a lot to get excited about when organizing your visit. To fully enjoy your adventure, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy as soon as possible, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.

Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:

Visa Information for the Philippines

Do I Need to Get a Visa to Visit the Philippines?    

No

U.S. Citizens who are planning to visit the Philippines for 30 days or less do not need a visa. However, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your departure and you must have a valid return ticket.

Health and Medical Advice

Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in the Philippines. It’s also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital is in case of an emergency.

Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to The Philippines?

There are no obligatory vaccination shots for travelling to the Philippines, but we would highly recommend that you get protected against Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, Cholera and Japanese Encephalitis as well as getting your routine vaccinations updated. The standard vaccines are:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
• Influenza
• Polio
• Chickenpox

Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment, at the latest, four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.


Travel Health Updates in the Philippines

UK health authorities have classified the Philippines as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. Travellers should therefore take precaution. Getting Zika virus during pregnancy can cause birth defects. It is recommended that pregnant women do not travel to areas with risk of Zika virus.

Emergency Contact Information in the Philippines

No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services while they’re on vacation, but unfortunately, accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.

The emergency number in the Philippines is: 911

Philippines Local Laws and Customs

Prison sentences in the Philippines are extremely severe.

• Carry your ID or passport with you as police carry out random checks and failure to produce ID can result in a fine or detention.
• Penalties for importing and using illegal drugs are particularly severe within the Philippines.
• The Philippines government has announced that Boracay Island will be temporarily closed for tourists from 26th April for up to six months for environmental rehabilitation. Visitors including foreign and local tourists will be prohibited from entering the island.

Safety and Security

Terrorism

The foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) advise against travel to western and central Mindanao and Sulu archipelago because of terrorist activity between the military and insurgent groups.

Risk of a terrorist attack is high in the Philippines, including Manila. Planned terrorist attacks can be carried out in places such as airports, shopping malls, on public transport. So always remain aware of your surroundings and report anything that may seem out of the ordinary.


Petty Theft
There’s a high incidence of street crime and robbery throughout the Philippines. You should take sensible precautions when you are out and about and always be aware of what is going on around you. Limit the number of valuables and the amount of cash you carry with you and make sure you carry your belongings in a closed bag.


U.S. Embassy in Philippines

U.S. Embassy Philippines
1201 Roxas Blvd, Ermita, Manila,
1000 Metro Manila, Philippines

Telephone: +63 2 301 2000

Useful Tips for the Philippines

Official Languages: Filipino language, English language
The most popular languages spoken in the Philippines are English, Filipino (Tagalog) and Cebuano. Most Filipinos speak both English and Tagalog.

Currency: Philippine Peso
Before your trip to the Philippines make sure to exchange enough Philippine Peso for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.

Plug Sockets: Type A, Type B and Type C
The Philippines use 3 types of plug sockets: A, B and C. The standard voltage and frequency is 220 V and 50 Hz. We would recommend that you buy a plug adapter If you don’t have one already.

You can determine if you need a converter or a transformer by looking at the appliance rating plate. A dual voltage rated appliance will display for example ‘INPUT: 110-240 V’ on the appliance body. In this case you wouldn’t need a converter or transformer, just an adapter.

© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.