When comparing the eTravel Pass vs eArrival Card Philippines in 2026, the only system you need is the eTravel Pass. All predecessors, including the eArrival Card, One Health Pass, and eCif, are fully retired. This free digital immigration form replaces paper cards and is mandatory for all foreign nationals.
Last updated: 14 September 2026. Information verified against the Bureau of Immigration portal at etravel.gov.ph.
The Bottom Line: eTravel Is the Only Active System in 2026
The eTravel Pass is the sole mandatory entry registration for foreign nationals entering the Philippines in 2026. All predecessor systems – the eArrival Card, One Health Pass, eCif, and paper arrival cards – have been fully retired and absorbed into this unified platform. Returning Filipino citizens have been exempt since late 2025 due to decreased COVID-19 cases, but all foreign nationals must still comply.
Operating as the Philippine Travel Information System, the eTravel Pass consolidates immigration, health, and customs declarations into a single digital form. Introduced in 2022 under the compliance framework of Republic Act No. 11032 (Ease of Doing Business Law), it is also accessible via the eGovPH app. Registration is free and takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete at etravel.gov.ph, the government portal operated by the Bureau of Immigration. It is mandatory for all foreign passport holders, including UK citizens on visa-free stays under 30 days.
Retired Systems vs Paper Arrival Card
2021
eCif introduced – RT-PCR test tracking
~2021-2022
eArrival Card – health declaration by BOQ
~2022
One Health Pass – vaccination & quarantine
2022
eTravel Pass – unified system
What Was the eArrival Card?
The eArrival Card was a digital health declaration by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), active ~2021-2022, replaced by the eTravel Pass in late 2022.
What Was the One Health Pass?
The One Health Pass (~2022) replaced the eArrival Card for COVID-19 tracking (vaccination status, test results, quarantine declarations) and was absorbed into the eTravel Pass. Its health declaration section survives within the current system.
What Was eCif?
eCif (Electronic Case Investigation Form) was an RT-PCR test result tracking form introduced in 2021. It was absorbed into the One Health Pass in 2022 and is fully retired. Travellers may still encounter the term in old forum posts or airline emails.
Paper Arrival Card as Emergency Fallback
Paper arrival cards – small green/blue cards previously distributed on flights – remain a fallback at Bureau of Immigration desks at NAIA and other international airports in 2026. They lack QR-code express lanes and add 20 to 40 minutes to processing.
Comparison Table & How the eTravel QR Code Works
| System | Status | Year | Purpose | Cost | QR Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eTravel Pass | Active | 2022 | Immigration, health & customs | FREE | Yes |
| eArrival Card | Retired | ~2021-2022 | Health declaration | Free | Yes |
| One Health Pass | Retired | ~2022 | Vaccination & quarantine | Free | Yes |
| eCif | Retired | 2021 | RT-PCR test tracking | Free | No |
| Paper arrival card | Fallback only | Pre-2022 | Immigration | Free | No |
A green QR code grants express, automated border processing; a red QR code triggers secondary inspection by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ). Airlines including Cebu Pacific (which also requires proof of onward travel), Qatar Airways, and Emirates require the QR code before issuing boarding passes. At Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the QR is scanned at both immigration and customs checkpoints.
How to Register for eTravel from the UK
UK travellers must register at etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours of arrival (not departure) in the Philippines. The eTravel Pass is 100% free; any site charging a fee is a scam.
Go to etravel.gov.ph
Verify the URL ends in .gov.ph before entering any data
Enter personal, passport & flight info
Full name, DOB, nationality, passport details, flight & accommodation address
Upload selfie & complete declarations
Health and customs declarations (Gmail recommended for best compatibility)
Submit & save your QR code
Arrives on-screen and via email; present at check-in and arrival
There are no direct UK-Manila flights in 2026; most British travellers connect via Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), or Singapore (Singapore Airlines). Because the Philippines operates on UTC+8, calculate your 72-hour window from your Manila landing time. For example, if your Emirates flight arrives in Manila at 23:55 on 20 September, complete the eTravel Pass by 23:55 Philippine time on 17 September. Consult gov.uk FCDO guidance for current UK-specific entry requirements.
FAQ: eTravel Pass vs eArrival Card Philippines
Do I need eTravel Pass or eArrival Card in 2026?
Only the eTravel Pass. The eArrival Card – a Bureau of Quarantine health declaration – was retired in late 2022 when all declarations moved to the eTravel platform.
Is One Health Pass still required?
No, the One Health Pass is fully retired. It was absorbed into the eTravel system in 2022 after previously replacing the eArrival Card. Its health declaration section survives within the eTravel Pass.
What is eCif, and do I need it?
eCif (Electronic Case Investigation Form) was a pandemic-era system introduced in 2021 for tracking RT-PCR test results. It was absorbed into the One Health Pass in 2022 and is fully retired; all functions are now integrated into the eTravel Pass.
Can I still get a paper arrival card?
Paper arrival cards remain technically available at Bureau of Immigration desks at international airports like NAIA, but staff strongly encourage using eTravel kiosks instead. Using a paper card means no QR-code express lane, adding 20 to 40 minutes to your processing time.
What if I forget to register before my flight?
BOQ staff and airside eTravel kiosks can register you on the spot – but expect a 20-40 minute delay.
Do children need a separate eTravel registration?
Yes, infants and children must have their own individual eTravel registration. Every passport holder, regardless of age, requires a separate electronic travel form linked to their own passport details. Ensure your child has a valid passport with at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages.
Can I edit my eTravel after submitting?
Minor edits (e.g., hotel name) are possible via the etravel.gov.ph dashboard; passport number or flight changes require a completely new registration.
Do I need eTravel for a connecting flight through Manila?
Airside transit where you do not clear Philippine immigration does not require an eTravel Pass. However, if you clear immigration for a layover in Manila, you must have a valid eTravel QR code.
