Travelers arriving in and departing from the Philippines can now experience a hassle-free immigration process, thanks to the Electronic Travel Information System or eTravel System, which was fully implemented on April 15, 2023.
Developed through the collaborative efforts of various government agencies, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Tourism (DOT), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Department of Health (DOH), the one-stop electronic travel declaration system aims to simplify and streamline the immigration process for travelers.
The eTravel System is a single data collection platform that replaces the repetitive process of filling out similar forms and waiting in long lines, which has been a major complaint among travelers. Launched last December 5, 2022, initially covering inbound travelers, the system has successfully scanned more than 3.5 million passengers, with 54.04 percent being Philippine Passport holders and 47.94 percent foreign passport holders. The system has also alerted airport authorities of 67,042 issues related to COVID-19.
To use the eTravel system, travelers are advised to register and update their status on the eTravel portal, accessible through a web browser via etravel.gov.ph, at least 72 hours before their intended arrival or departure in the Philippines.
See also: eTravel portal replaces OneHealthPass for PH-bound travelers
The system is free of charge and will soon be included in the eGov PH Super App, a one-stop platform for local and national government services that streamline government processes and transactions.
