SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR UNACCOMPANIED FILIPINO MINORS TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES

Starting 27 July 2022, all non-repatriated unaccompanied Filipino minors allowed by the airline to board a flight, the airline representative shall be in-charge in processing, coordination, and assisting the unaccompanied minor from the time of arrival until finishing the required protocol for the minor. Prior coordination by the airline with BOQ is needed for all incoming unaccompanied Filipino minors.

1. Unaccompanied Filipino minors aged 12-17

a. Fully vaccinated (completed primary dose) and with at least one booster shot will NOT be required to undergo quarantine and testing upon arrival.

b. Fully vaccinated (completed primary dose) and presenting a negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, or remotely supervised, or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative result administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishment taken within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin, will NOT be required to undergo quarantine and testing upon arrival.

c. Fully vaccinated with or without booster and with prior coordination by the airline with BOQ will NOT be required to undergo quarantine and testing upon arrival.

d. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated will be required to undergo quarantine and testing upon arrival. Airline representative shall coordinate the unaccompanied minor’s quarantine facility, conveyances, testing laboratory and local companion.

2. Unaccompanied Filipino minors aged 4-11

a. Fully vaccinated with prior coordination by the airline will NOT be required to undergo quarantine and testing upon arrival.

b. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated and/or presenting a negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, or remotely supervised, or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishment taken within twenty-four (24) hours, prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin, will not be required to undergo quarantine and testing upon arrival if they have had prior coordination by the airline with BOQ.

3. Minor with ages three (3) years old and below must have prior coordination by the airline with BOQ prior to entry.

4. In case of non-compliance of the above requirements, an accompanying adult/guardian from LGU should accompany the child or children during their facility-based quarantine. The accompanying adult/guardian must present the following requirements:

          a) Negative RT-PCR result taken within forty-eight (48) hours or negative antigen result taken within twenty-four (24) hours prior to check in at a quarantine facility.

 b) A signed waiver indicating the awareness of the risk of exposure and willingness to accompany the minor/s to undergo complete mandatory facility-based quarantine.

5. DSWD coordination. For unaccompanied Filipino minors included in a government facilitated / initiated repatriation of Overseas Filipinos covered by the POLO/OWWA, prior coordination by the airline with BOQ and DSWD endorsement are required.

*Based on the letter of DSWD dated 13 July 2022 on their notification to pull-out their daily presence at OSS Airport and non-accommodation of non-repatriated unaccompanied minors.

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SPECIFIC TRAVEL GUIDELINE FOR UNACCOMPANIED FOREIGN NATIONAL MINORS TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES

1. Unaccompanied foreign minors aged 15-17 years

1. The following unaccompanied foreign minors aged 15-17 years shall not  undergo quarantine and testing upon arrival:

1. Who have received primary series COVID-19 vaccine, and at least one (1) COVID-19 booster shot.
2. Who have received primary series COVID-19 vaccine but with no COVID-19  booster shot, should present a negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative result administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, taken within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin.

2. The following unaccompanied foreign minors aged 15-17 years shall undergo mandatory quarantine and testing:

1. Who have received primary series COVID-19 vaccine but with no COVID-19 booster shot or with no negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, or remotely supervised, or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative result administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, taken within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin.
2. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated.

2. Unaccompanied foreign minors aged 5-14 years

1. The following unaccompanied foreign minors aged 5-14 years shall not undergo quarantine and testing upon arrival:

1. Who have received primary series COVID-19 vaccine and with prior coordination with endorsement letter of designated foreign embassy and airline.
2. Who have received primary series COVID-19 vaccine, and at least one (1) COVID-19 booster shot. Regardless to the status of coordination to designated foreign embassy and airline.
3. Who have received primary series COVID-19 vaccine and presenting a negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, remotely supervised or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative result taken within twenty-four (24) hours administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin. Regardless of the coordination to designated foreign embassy and airline.

2. The following unaccompanied foreign minors aged 5-14 years shall undergo quarantine and testing upon arrival:

1. Who have received primary series COVID-19 vaccine but without prior coordination and endorsement letter of designated foreign embassy and airlines; and no COVID-19 booster shot or with no negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin.
2. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated.
3. Unaccompanied foreign minors aged 4 year and below shall have prior coordination with endorsement letter from designated foreign embassy and airline prior to departure from port of origin. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) endorsement letter can be an alternative acceptable requirement.

*Failure to present the necessary documents upon arrival will require the said minors to undergo mandatory quarantine. In the absence of foreign embassy representation, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall stand-in for the needed coordination. The airline shall designate a guardian who will accompany the minor during quarantine period.

C. Unaccompanied foreign minors aged 4 years old and below

• Requirement: coordination with endorsement letter from designated foreign service office (of the country of citizenship) of concerned foreign minors and airline prior to departure from the point of origin. Endorsement letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) may be accepted as an alternative required document.
• Failure to present necessary documents upon arrival will result in the children being required to undergo mandatory quarantine. In the absence of representation by a foreign embassy, the DFA shall stand in for the necessary coordination. The airline is required to designate a guardian who will accompany the concerned minor during the quarantine period.

Click this link to see the complete list of requirements for unaccompanied foreign minors traveling to the Philippines.

Source: Bureau of Quarantine (Department of Health)