Medical Clearance Now a Requirement for Visa Applicants to Philippines

February 13, 2015 — The Philippines Bureau of Immigration has announced a new requirement mandating a Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance for all visa applicants of certain foreign countries.

Applicants from the following list of countries who entered the Philippines on or after June 2014 on Immigrant, Non-Immigrant, and Special visa types are subject to the new medical clearance requirement:

    Afghanistan
    Angola
    Bangladesh
    Benin
    Bolivia
    Brazil
    Burkina Faso
    Cambodia
    Cameron
    Central African Republic
    Chad
    Colombia
    Congo
    Cote d'lvoire
    Democratic Republic of Congo
    Ecuador
    Equitorial Guinea
    Eritrea
    Ethiopia
    French Guiana
    Gabon
    Gambia
    Ghana
    Guinea
    Guinea-Bissau
    Guyana
    Indonesia
    Iraq
    Israel
    Kenya
    Liberia
    Mali
    Mauritania
    Myanmar
    Niger
    Nigeria
    Pakistan
    Papua New Guinea
    Paraguay
    Peru
    Rwanda
    Senegal
    Sierra Leone
    Somalia
    Sudan
    Suriname
    Syria
    Togo
    Trinidad
    Uganda
    Venezuela
    Vietnam

Any applicable foreign national must submit an original or certified copy of a Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance upon filing his or her visa application unless formally advised otherwise. Likewise, the following visa extensions applications will only be processed upon submission of an original or certified medical clearance copy:

    Authorized stay extension beyond 59 days
    Long-Stay Visitor Visa extension
    Extension of visa upon arrival, when applicable

Strict penalties may result from non-compliance including the denial of the visa application or cancellation of an approved visa.

*AIReS worked with Santa Fe in preparation of this bulletin. This document contains information contributed by Santa Fe and is intended for informational purposes only. This summary does not constitute legal advice nor should it be a substitute for specific legal advice in any situation.

About Aires
Aires delivers best-in-class global and domestic relocation solutions and mobility program management. Having been recognized by The Forum for Expatriate Management, the Better Business Bureau, and the Stevie Awards for organic growth methodology, excellent client/vendor partnerships, and leading-edge proprietary technology, Aires focuses on people, process, and technology to deliver world-class service. The company has also achieved ISO 9001, ISO 14001, FIDI-FAIM, C-TPAT, and Privacy Shield certifications and registrations. Clients are assured a focus on quality and customer service excellence when partnering with Aires. For more information, please visit www.aires.com.