Philippines Reopening Borders, Casinos Ready to Welcome Back Foreign High Rollers

February 8, 2022 Philippines Emerging Markets

The Philippines will begin allowing foreign travelers entry into the Southeast Asia nation beginning Thursday, Feb. 10. For the integrated resort casinos in Manila, which rely heavily on VIP play, the border reopening is a major development.

After being closed for roughly a year to foreigners, Philippines officials say the country is being reopened to the republic’s primary tourism markets. That includes the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea, Germany, and Canada. China remains on hold.

Visitors arriving in the Philippines from the permitted countries can enter without a visa so long as they present a negative COVID-19 test conducted within the 48 hours prior to departure. Inbound travelers must additionally be fully vaccinated and provide proof of inoculation with valid certifications from their home countries. Foreigners arriving in the Philippines must also purchase at least $35,000 worth of travel insurance.

While the Philippines is lifting mandatory quarantines for international guests, the country is asking such travelers to self-monitor for symptoms for seven days after arrival. They also must immediately report any COVID-19 indicators to local authorities.

More than 8.3 million foreigners traveled to the Philippines in pre-pandemic 2019. Only 1.4 million international guests were counted last year.