Last verified and updated on 14 September 2026. This is an independent informational guide, not affiliated with the Philippine government. Always verify requirements on the official eTravel portal at etravel.gov.ph.
Does a child need an eTravel Pass for the Philippines? Yes, every child, including newborns and lap infants, needs an individual Philippines eTravel Pass in 2026. The eTravel system is completely free of charge and must be completed within 72 hours before departure at etravel.gov.ph. Parents can register children under one account via “Register for a Family Member”.
The process takes under 10 minutes per person and generates a unique QR code required for boarding and immigration inspection. This guide covers registration rules for infants, children under 15, seniors, couples, and group or family registrations. UK travellers should also consult the FCDO foreign travel advice for the Philippines for broader entry requirements.
Yes – Every Child Needs an Individual Philippines eTravel Pass
Every traveller, regardless of age, needs an individual eTravel registration tied to their own passport. The Philippines eTravel Pass, mandated under the Ease of Doing Business Law (R.A. 11032), replaced the former One Health Pass and paper eArrival Card in December 2022.
Do Newborns and Lap Infants Need an eTravel Pass?
Yes. A newborn held on a parent’s lap without a purchased airline seat still requires a separate Philippines eTravel registration using the infant’s own passport. The airline’s infant fare classification does not affect this obligation.
Accompanied vs. Unaccompanied Minors Under 15
Accompanied minors under 15 follow the quarantine protocol of their parent or accompanying guardian. Unaccompanied minors under 15 must follow protocols for unvaccinated travellers aged 15+, requiring a Rapid Antigen Test taken within 24 hours before departure. Unaccompanied minors additionally need a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG), a separate document issued by the Bureau of Immigration and distinct from the Philippines eTravel Pass.
How to Register Your Child for the Philippines eTravel Pass
Parents register children via “Register for a Family Member” at etravel.gov.ph, taking under 10 minutes per person. Each minor receives an individual QR code.
Log in to your account or use the eGovPH app
Password minimum 8 characters.
Select “Register for a Family Member”
Choose this option to start the child’s registration.
Enter the child’s passport data
Full name, date of birth, passport number, nationality, country of birth.
Use your parent email and phone number
No separate child email required.
Complete the health declaration and accommodation details
Fill in the required information for the child.
Submit with a digital signature confirmation
Finalize the registration process.
Receive an individual QR code for the child
Save the QR code for boarding and immigration inspection.
Account creation can happen any time; only the travel declaration must fall within the 72-hour window. The 6-digit OTP goes to the parent’s email, not the child’s.
Registering a Child Who Has No Email Address
A parent or guardian’s email and phone number can be used for a child’s Philippines eTravel registration. The 6-digit OTP goes directly to the parent’s inbox. Use a single parent email, preferably Gmail (the system is optimised for Gmail), for all family members to keep confirmations in one inbox.
Common Registration Errors for Minors
British children without a middle name cause validation errors; enter “N/A” to resolve. Remove name suffixes like Jr. to prevent duplicate matches. Update mistakes via the Edit Registration tab at etravel.gov.ph/search before the Bureau of Immigration processes the record.
Documents, Timing, and QR Codes for Your Child’s Philippines eTravel Registration
Each child’s Philippines eTravel registration requires their own passport, parent contact details, flight information, and accommodation address.
Required Documents for Child Registration
- Child’s passport valid at least 6 months from arrival, linked to the passport number.
- Parent or guardian contact details: active email and phone for the 6-digit OTP and QR code confirmation.
- Flight information: airline name, flight number, arrival date, departure city, seat number.
- Accommodation address in the Philippines: hotel, resort, Airbnb, or private residence.
- Digital selfie: well-lit, front-facing, face properly positioned in the frame.
A birth certificate is not uploaded to eTravel but may be requested at immigration to prove relationship. The travel declaration must be completed within 72 hours before departure; account creation can happen earlier. Register the parent first, then add children in the same session.
Understanding the eTravel QR Code
After submission, each registered traveller receives a unique individual QR code. A green QR code grants direct passage to immigration inspection. A red QR code requires secondary inspection by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) before immigration formalities, triggered by health declaration indicating exposure to communicable disease within the past 30 days. The Electronic Health Declaration Card (eHDC) is built directly into the eTravel system. A digital QR code is accepted; a printed backup is recommended for families with connectivity issues. Retrieve QR codes at etravel.gov.ph/search via the Edit Registration tab (date of birth required).
Senior Citizens, Couples, and Multi-Generational Family eTravel Registration
Senior citizens aged 60+ must complete the same individual Philippines eTravel registration as all other travellers: no separate form or age-based exemption. A senior’s date of birth entered into the system identifies their age category, but no automatic priority lane tagging at NAIA is confirmed; seniors should request priority assistance separately at the airport.
For couples, each partner can register individually or one partner can register the other via “Register for a Family Member”. The Philippines eTravel Pass generates a unique QR code per person; no shared couple QR code exists.
Couples and Multi-Generational Families
One account holder can add multiple travellers (spouse, children, and elderly parents) in a single session at etravel.gov.ph. Even when registered as a group, the system produces a separate QR code for each person, and each must be shown individually at check-in and immigration. A three-generational family of five yields five distinct QR codes.
Non-Parent Guardian Registration
Grandparents, relatives, or school trip leaders can register a child through the “Register for a Family Member” option. Written parental consent is typically verified at the border by the Bureau of Immigration, not during online registration.
Vaccination and Testing Rules for Children Travelling to the Philippines
Accompanied children aged 0-14 follow the parent’s quarantine protocol; unvaccinated travellers aged 15+ require a Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours before departure. Health rules are declared within the eTravel health module, not a separate process.
| Age Group | Vaccination Status | Pre-Departure Test? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-14 (accompanied) | Any | No, follows parent’s protocol | Parent/guardian’s status determines testing |
| 0-14 (unaccompanied) | Unvaccinated | Yes, Rapid Antigen Test within 24h | Follows protocols for unvaccinated travellers 15+ |
| 15+ | Fully vaccinated | No | 2nd dose or single dose received more than 14 days prior |
| 15+ | Unvaccinated or partially | Yes, Rapid Antigen Test within 24h | If not presented: lab-based Antigen Test on arrival |
Test results are entered within the eTravel health declaration module. A red QR code may result from health declaration indicating exposure to communicable disease within the past 30 days, linked to but distinct from vaccination status. Visa requirements and vaccination certificates are separate from the Philippines eTravel Pass.
Yes, every child, including newborns and lap infants, needs an individual Philippines eTravel Pass in 2026. Each minor must have their own registration linked to their own passport. Parents can register children under one account using the “Register for a Family Member” feature at etravel.gov.ph. The eTravel Pass is free and must be completed within 72 hours before departure.
FAQ
Does a newborn baby need a separate eTravel Pass for the Philippines?
Yes. Every person, including newborns and lap infants, must have their own individual eTravel registration linked to their own passport. The airline infant fare status does not affect the eTravel obligation.
Can I register my child for the Philippines eTravel Pass without their own email address?
Yes. Use your own email and phone number. The 6-digit OTP and confirmation will be sent to your email. Use a single parent email, preferably Gmail, for all family members.
Is the Philippines eTravel Pass free for children?
Yes. Completely free of charge for all travellers regardless of age. Report scam sites requiring payment to the CICC at cicc.gov.ph/report.
What happens if my child is not registered before boarding the flight?
Airlines verify eTravel passes at check-in. Philippine immigration may impose penalties or require on-site registration, causing significant delays. BOQ staff and airport personnel are available at arrival for families who could not register online.
Can a grandparent or teacher register a child for the Philippines eTravel?
Yes. “Register for a Family Member” allows any account holder to register a dependent. Written parental consent is typically verified at the border, not during online registration.
How do I update or correct my child’s eTravel Pass after submitting it?
Log in and locate the child’s registration via the Edit Registration tab at etravel.gov.ph/search. Corrections must be made before the Bureau of Immigration processes the record.
Does my child need a printed copy of the eTravel QR code at the airport?
A digital QR code on your phone is accepted, but printing a backup is recommended when travelling with multiple children. At NAIA, QR codes are scanned passing through customs.
Are there any exemptions from the Philippines eTravel Pass requirement?
Limited exemptions apply to foreign diplomats and their dependents, 9(e) visa holders, holders of diplomatic or official service passports, and airside transit passengers remaining in the international transit area. All ordinary tourist travellers, including children, are not exempt.
What documents does my child need at Philippine immigration beyond the eTravel QR code?
A valid passport with minimum 6 months validity from arrival. Accompanied minors should carry a birth certificate as proof of relationship. Unaccompanied minors need a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) from the Bureau of Immigration.
Can I use the eGovPH app to register my family for the eTravel Pass?
Yes. The eGovPH mobile app, available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, is an alternative to the web portal at etravel.gov.ph and supports family member registration.
Sources & References
- Official eTravel portal: etravel.gov.ph
- Bureau of Immigration: immigration.gov.ph
- Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ): quarantine.doh.gov.ph
- CICC scam reporting: cicc.gov.ph/report
- FCDO travel advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/philippines
This is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with the Philippine government. Always verify requirements on the official eTravel portal.
