On the Temporary Suspension of Visa Issuance and Visa-free Privilege by the Philippine Government

For information and guidance following is the Public Advisory issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Manila

19 March 2020 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) informs the public that it is temporarily suspending visa issuance in all its Foreign Service Posts effective immediately and will be valid and effective until further notice.

The temporary suspension of visa issuance is in light of Proclamation No. 922, dated 08 March 2020, declaring a “State of Public Health Emergency” throughout the Philippines; and Proclamation No. 929, dated 16 March 2020, declaring a “State of Calamity” throughout the Philippines due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

With the temporary suspension, all visa-free privileges including those based on Visa Waiver Agreements, those under Executive Order 408, s.1960, and for holders of Hong Kong and Macau SAR passports, Macau-Portuguese passports, and British National Overseas passports, are likewise temporarily suspended, effective 22 March 2020.

It is to be noted, however, that foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals are exempted from this temporary suspension.

The temporary suspension of visa issuance will deem all previously issued visas canceled, and foreigners with visas issued by Philippine Foreign Service Posts (primarily 9a Temporary Visitor/Tourist visas) will not be allowed entry into the country starting 22 March 2020.

However, visas previously issued to accredited Foreign Government and International Organization officials and their dependents will remain valid and will be honored when entering the country even after said date. The same is true for previously issued visas to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals.

This temporary suspension has no impact on foreign nationals that are already in the country or on holders of visas issued by other government agencies. END

PDF: Advisory Visa Suspension 19March2020

For Filipino Tourists/ Temporary Residents in Germany with Expiring/ Expired Status in view of Restrictions Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Filipino tourists/temporary residents who are in Germany and whose pending return to the Philippines/ request to extend legal status in Germany are delayed due to restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic are advised of the following:

1. For those with flights, please contact your airline directly for definite information on your flight details, or if they have earlier flights, or may be able to offer alternative flight options.

2. For those who have travel insurance, contact your company and get guidance for any possible claim coverage arising from this unforeseen delay/travel rerouting.

3. In the event that your visa/permit expires or is expiring soon, please contact the Local Foreigner’s Office/ Ausländerbehörde nearest you to obtain an appointment for an extension of your stay and note the following:

a) If you are unable to obtain an appointment, compile any document / proof (i.e. note your phone call inquiry/keep emails from the airline, note efforts you made to obtain an appointment with the Local Foreigner’s Office) that you may have which shows you have exerted efforts to leave Germany on time and/or made efforts to obtain an appointment from the Ausländerbehörde.

b) The operations of the Ausländerbehörde are currently restricted, do not proceed to their office without contacting them first.

c) For tourists, you are requested by the German government to make use of early opportunities to return to your country of residence, even if this does not correspond to your original travel plans.

4. Please ensure that you continue to have insurance coverage while you are in Germany for any contingencies.

We reiterate that the situation is very fluid. Updates and changes in policies and procedures may occur at any point. The Embassy will continue to disseminate additional information as these become available. Please continue to follow our Facebook page for updates.

Thank you for your usual understanding.

Berlin, 19 March 2020

PDF: Advisory for Tourists and Temp Residents 19March2020