COVID-19 Improved Online Process for Returning Filipinos to the Philippines
Returning Filipinos including overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) have been instructed to fill out the electronic case investigation form (e-CIF) on the Philippine Red Cross website (e-cif.redcross.org.ph) prior to their scheduled arrival. The order comes from Foreign Affairs Department and Philippine embassies across the globe in line with the government’s fight against COVID-19.
Here are the guidelines:
Why does e-CIF need to be filled up?
This form is to minimize the spread of COVID-19 into the Philippines through our ports of entry, It also ensures that anyone arriving into the country will be tested for COVID-19.
When does e-CIF need to be filled up?
The e-CIF must be filled up prior to immigration. It is best to be filled up prior to arrival in the Philippines, and it can be completed 3 days prior to arrival in the Philippines.
Who needs to fill it up?
Any individual who is traveling to the Philippines is required to fill-up the form.
What will happen if I don’t fill-up the form?
Those who have not accomplished the form will be required to fill in and submit their form electronically before they can proceed for immigration clearance. This will unnecessarily delay their immigration clearance. If left unaccomplished, the traveler will be unable to go pass through immigration.
Things to Remember:
- Please make sure that you have your passport with you while filling up the form and that you double-check your spelling. Any mistakes can cause delays in receiving your test results.
- Upon arrival, all passengers will undergo a swab test (RT PCR COVID-19 testing) to be performed by trained personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The test results will be communicated by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).
- Every person arriving in the Philippines must be quarantined until they have received a negative COVID-19 test result, and comply with a mandatory 14-Day quarantine at home. While waiting for their results, passengers must stay in a government-designated stringent quarantine facility or in a BOQ approved Quarantine hotel.
- Travelers whose test results are positive will be transferred to a designated hospital for further medical management.
