Immigration Update: China,India,Philippines

Asia-Pacific

China – New requirements entering China

• On October 20 and 30, Chinese embassies in the U.S. and Europe issued notices on new requirements for China-bound airline passengers.
• From November 2020, a negative Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody test is required (in addition to the original negative nucleic acid test and certified Health Declaration Form). All sampling and testing must be done within 48 hours of the departure flight
• Passengers transiting through a third country on the way to China will need to repeat the double-negative test and certified Health Declaration Form in the transit country (within 48 hours of the final flight to China).

No oficial source available to quote. 

India – Relaxation in international travel based on visa type

• The Government has decided to relax visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals who wish to enter India. It has been decided to permit all OCI and PIO card holders, and all other foreign nationals – except on a Tourist Visa – intending to visit for any purpose to enter via authorized airports and seaport immigration check posts.
• This includes flights operating under Vande Bharat Mission, Air Transport Bubble arrangements or any non-scheduled commercial flights allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• All such travelers must, however, strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding quarantine and other health/Covid-19 matters.
• The Government has also decided to restore all existing visas (except electronic visas, Tourist Visas and Medical Visas). If the validity of such visas has expired, new visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from the Indian Mission/Posts concerned.
• This decision will enable foreign nationals to enter India for purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research, medical, etc.
• The Air Bubble transport has also been further extended to the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ukraine.
• Scheduled flights are not operational yet and there is a ban until November 30, 2020. Scheduled flights may be allowed on a case-by-case basis to/from India.

This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Philippines – Advisory on temporary visa travel

• The Bureau of Immigration (BI) released a Public Advisory regarding temporary travel restrictions for inbound and outbound passengers.
• From November 1, 2020, foreign nationals with visas issued by the following departments can enter:

1. The Bureau of Immigration (BI)
2. 47(a)(2) visas from the Department of Justice
3. Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority
4. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority

• Foreign nationals, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Filipinos with permanent visa holders, Filipino students enrolled abroad, and participants accepted in exchange visitor programs can leave the country.
• Foreign nationals with other types of visas (e.g. 9g visa) or those who will enter as tourists must secure the necessary travel ban exemption from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), among others, prior to entry.
• Non-PEZA registered entities may request for endorsement from an affiliated National Government Agency to secure DFA travel ban exemption for essential and emergency reasons. The DFA may only process exemptions provided an endorsement signed by the Secretary of the affiliated Government agency addressed to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs is obtained and submitted to the DFA.

To request for endorsement, the following documents should be submitted to the affiliated Government agency:

• Letter request to be submitted to the Office of the Secretary stating the name of the foreign national and the reason for the request for travel ban exemption
  Foreign national’s passport bio page
• Upon submission, processing at the DFA will take about one to two weeks. This is provided that the reason for the travel ban exemption is justifiable and the document requirements are complete.

This summary was prepared using information from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact VISA LOUNGE GLOBAL IMMIGRATION.