Do you need to fill out a paper migration form when entering the Philippines, or is everything done online now?

No, you no longer need to fill out a paper migration and customs form when entering the Philippines. A few years ago, flight attendants handed out paper cards on the plane that had to be filled out with a pen during the flight, but that was abandoned long ago. Now, instead of paper forms, all arrivals — both with a visa and with a visa-free stamp — fill out a single electronic eTravel form on the official website etravel.gov.ph and receive a QR code. This QR code replaces the old paper migration and customs form: you show this QR code at passport control along with your passport and boarding pass, so you won't have to look for a pen on the plane anymore.

How it works in practice. 5 days before entry, you go to the eTravel website, enter your details, flight details, passport details, trip details, and health status, and in return you get a QR code. It's best to save the code as a screenshot on your smartphone or print it on paper right away — there may be no internet at the time of passing control. At passport control, an officer scans the QR code, takes fingerprints of your index fingers, and puts a 30-day stamp in your passport. No paper forms need to be filled out or submitted.

Every passenger must fill out eTravel, including children — so a family of three will have three separate forms and three QR codes. The requirement to fill out the form applies to everyone: both those traveling visa-free and those with a visa. If the form is not filled out, problems may arise even at check-in for the flight: the QR code is often checked at the counter before boarding the plane, not just in the Philippines.

What else you should know to avoid confusion. A return ticket or a ticket to a third country is required for entry — it may be checked selectively and you may even be denied boarding if you don't have a ticket. However, hotel reservations and insurance are not currently required for entry, although booking accommodation in advance is still more convenient and often cheaper — we have described in detail how and where to book hotels abroad with payment from Russia here. Insurance is also worth getting, even though it's not formally required — you can get it, for example, at Cherehapa.ru, where we usually select policies for our trips.

You can learn more in our reliable and honest guide in the article Philippines Visa: Do You Need a Visa, How to Apply and How Much It Costs

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