It replaced the old paper Arrival Card, the eArrivalCard, and the One Health Pass, combining them into a single digital form. This guide walks US passport holders through exactly what to submit, when, and how to avoid the fake websites that try to charge for something that costs nothing.
Did you know? US Citizens recently became the Philippines' top source market, overtaking South Korea for the first time in years — Americans accounted for about 19.4% of foreign arrivals from January to May 2026, versus 18.3% from South Korea. — US overtakes South Korea in Philippines tourist arrivals — PhilStar
| Quick facts for American travelers | |
|---|---|
| eTravel Pass | Mandatory — free, submit within 72 hours of travel |
| American travelers to the Philippines | Now the Philippines' #1 source market (~19.4% of arrivals, Jan–May 2026) |
This is an independent guide, not an official government website. Below, you'll find everything American citizens need to know about the eTravel Pass, plus how we can help you get it right.
File My Philippines Arrival CardWhat Is the Philippines eTravel Pass?
The eTravel Pass is the Philippines' official online travel declaration system, submitted at etravel.gov.ph or through the eGovPH mobile app before you fly. It combines what used to be three separate steps — the paper arrival/departure card, immigration's eArrivalCard, and the Department of Health's One Health Pass — into one digital form covering your personal details, travel itinerary, and (for arrivals) a short health declaration. Once submitted, you'll receive a QR code that airline staff and immigration officers scan at check-in and on arrival.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa to Enter the Philippines?
Depending on your nationality, you may be able to enter the Philippines visa-free for a set number of days, or you may need to arrange a visa in advance. Either way, visa status and the eTravel Pass are two separate requirements: every traveler — visa-exempt or not — still needs to submit the eTravel Pass before flying. Being visa-exempt only removes the need for a visa; it doesn't remove anything else on this list.
Who Must Complete the eTravel Pass
Every arriving traveler — Filipino citizens and foreign nationals alike — needs a completed eTravel Pass before landing in the Philippines, and most departing travelers need one too (a narrower group, covering departing Filipinos and crew members, since most departing foreign nationals are exempt from the departure version). A handful of categories are exempt altogether, including foreign diplomats and their dependents, foreign dignitaries, and certain 9(e) diplomatic visa holders.
Every member of a traveling family needs their own eTravel record, though one person can register the whole family under a single account rather than creating separate logins for each person. As the Philippines' newly top-ranked visitor nationality, US Citizens will find the eTravel process well-trodden, with airline and immigration staff very used to processing American travelers.
When to Submit: The 72-Hour Window
Submit your eTravel Pass no earlier than 72 hours before your departure from the Philippines or your expected arrival time — the window is measured against the relevant flight, not booked weeks in advance. Because of this, travelers on longer multi-leg itineraries should count back from their actual arrival time in the Philippines (or their actual departure flight, for the exit form), not an earlier connecting flight, when figuring out when the window opens.
Information US passport holders Need
Before you sit down to fill out the form, have the following ready:
- Your passport details (name exactly as it appears on your passport, passport number, nationality, date of birth)
- Your residential address
- Your flight information (airline, flight number, date, and airport)
- Your occupation and purpose of travel
- For arrivals: your accommodation details in the Philippines and a short health declaration covering recent travel and symptoms
How to Complete the eTravel Pass — Step by Step
- Go to etravel.gov.ph (or open the eGovPH app) within 72 hours of your flight.
- Create or sign in to your account, then add each traveler in your party.
- Fill in passport, flight, and (for arrivals) health declaration details for each person.
- Submit the form.
- Save the QR code you receive, either as a screenshot or a printed copy — you'll need it twice: once at check-in with your airline, and again at the immigration counter.
eTravel for Departure, Too
It's easy to assume the eTravel Pass is only something you deal with on the way in, but most travelers need to submit it again before leaving the Philippines. The departure version is shorter — it skips the health declaration — but it follows the same 72-hour submission window and produces its own QR code that airline staff check before boarding.
Avoiding Fake eTravel Websites
The eTravel Pass is completely free — there is no government fee to submit it. The Bureau of Immigration has repeatedly warned travelers about look-alike websites that mimic the official eTravel portal and charge anywhere from ₱3,000 to ₱5,000 to "process" a form that costs nothing on the real site. Before entering any personal or payment details, double-check that you're on etravel.gov.ph (or using the official eGovPH app) and not a third-party look-alike. If a site asks you to pay, close it — that alone is a sign it isn't official.
Common Mistakes US Citizens Make
- Paying a third-party website to "process" the form. The eTravel Pass is free on the official site — any site charging a fee is not official.
- Assuming it's only needed for arrival. Most travelers need to submit a separate eTravel Pass before departure too, not just on the way in.
- Counting the 72-hour window from the wrong flight. On a multi-leg trip, the window is measured against your actual arrival in (or departure from) the Philippines, not an earlier connecting flight.
- Thinking visa-exempt status means no eTravel Pass is needed. It doesn't — the eTravel Pass applies to every traveler, regardless of visa status.
- Filing separate accounts for each family member when one will do. One person can register the whole traveling party under a single account.
- Assuming a familiar process means fewer steps. Being the Philippines' largest visitor group doesn't come with a shortcut — US Citizens still need an individually completed eTravel Pass, submitted within 72 hours of travel, on every single trip.
How TravelDeclaration.com Can Help American Citizens
You're always welcome to complete the eTravel Pass yourself directly through the official channel. Where we come in is everything around the process: reviewing your entries for the mistakes covered above, coordinating multiple passports and travelers in one household, and making sure nothing gets missed before you're standing at the gate.
We know there are other assisted-filing services out there — what we're focused on is being the most accurate and transparent one, not the only one.
Get Started With TravelDeclaration.comMore Philippines eTravel Pass Guides by Nationality
- Philippines eTravel Pass for Canadian Citizens
- Philippines eTravel Pass for Chinese Citizens
- Philippines eTravel Pass for Japanese Citizens
- Philippines eTravel Pass for South Korean Citizens
FAQ for US Citizens
Is the Philippines eTravel Pass free?
Yes. There's no government fee to submit it. Any website charging a fee — commonly ₱3,000 to ₱5,000 — is not the official site.
Is the eTravel Pass the same as a visa?
No. The eTravel Pass is a mandatory travel declaration required of every traveler, while a visa is only required for certain nationalities depending on how long you're staying. Completing one has no bearing on the other.
Do I need to submit the eTravel Pass for departure as well as arrival?
In most cases, yes. Departing Filipino citizens and crew members need to submit a departure eTravel Pass, though most departing foreign nationals are exempt. The arrival version is required of everyone, Filipino and foreign national alike.
Do children need their own eTravel Pass?
Yes, every traveler needs their own eTravel record, but one person can register the whole family under a single account rather than creating separate logins for each person.
What happens if I don't submit it before I arrive?
Airline staff check for a completed eTravel Pass at check-in, so without it you risk being turned away at the gate. Submitting it in advance — within the 72-hour window before your flight — avoids delays or complications at check-in and on arrival.
Are US Citizens the largest group of visitors to the Philippines?
As of 2026, yes. US Citizens overtook South Korea to become the Philippines' top source market, accounting for about 19.4% of foreign arrivals from January to May 2026, against 18.3% from South Korea. That ranking doesn't change the requirement, though: every US Citizen still needs their own completed eTravel Pass to enter and, in most cases, to depart.