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Australians in the Philippines    

 

Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 7 July 2020

 

 

 

Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 28 May 2020

 

With some quarantine conditions easing, commercial flight options are likely to increase. We understand there are currently flights from Manila with Qatar Airways, ANA and Asiana to Australia via Qatar, Japan and South Korea. Transits options through Singapore and Hong Kong are likely in the near future.

 

In these uncertain times, flight schedules are subject to change with little notice and you should seek confirmation with your airline directly. If unable to book online, we recommend calling the airline. The Embassy is unable to assist with the booking of commercial flights.

 

Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 19 May 2020

 

 

There will be a special user-pays flight via Philippine Airlines (PAL) to Sydney and Melbourne on Tuesday, 26 May. PAL will also to run sweeper flights from the following locations: Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Legazpi, Tacloban and Tagbilaran.

 

These flights are for Australian citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens (who are usually residents of Australia) and their immediate family members (spouse, de-facto spouse and children).

PAL will call those who register for flights to complete their bookings. Australian citizens may also call PAL directly on +63 2 8855 1000 or book at a PAL ticket office.

 

Register your interest directly with PAL via the following link until 11:59 pm on Tuesday, 19 May: https://mypal.vip/url/AUSrepat

 

If you have previously registered, you will need to register again. Please ensure you enter your details carefully. PAL had difficulty reaching some of those who registered for the previous flights – their telephone numbers were either incomplete or unattended. This caused some to miss the opportunity.

 

All flight arrangements will be made by PAL when there are a sufficient number of passengers. Please be patient as this may take some time. PAL may call you from an unknown number. You need to ensure you have phone coverage and your battery is charged. If you are unsure about taking the flight or the destination, PAL may not call back as seat may fill up.

 

For Australian citizens with a valid Australian passport (only) who register for the flights, you may call PAL on +63 2 88551000 from Sunday 17 May to complete your booking. Phone lines will be open from 8am until 8pm each day.

 

You will need to make payment at the time of the call. Fare cost does not include additional taxes.

 

 Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 27 April 2020
 

 

 Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 24 April 2020

 

Philippine Airlines will run user-pays Manila to Sydney and Manila -Melbourne flights on Tuesday, 28th April. Sweeper flights to connect people in to Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Tacloban and Bohol will also run on Tuesday 28th.

 

These are for people who have already registered with PAL through the link previously shared by the Embassy. Due to high numbers we are not able to accept new registrations.

 

Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 22 April 2020

 

 

Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 17 April 2020

 

 

 

The Australian Embassy has partnered with Philippine Airlines for dedicated user pays flights to Melbourne on the evening of Saturday, 18 April 2020.  Flights are for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families.

This includes sweeper flights to Manila from Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo City, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Tacloban and Tagbilaran (Bohol). Sweeper flights will transit through either Cebu or Davao then on to Manila.

 

REGISTER FOR THESE FLIGHTS

 

Register for the flight with Philippines Airlines by evening of Wednesday, 15 April, click on the following link. 

 

https://mypal.vip/url/AuMelRepatFlight     

 

A Philippine Airlines representative will then contact you to arrange payment and confirm your seat.  Manila to Melbourne or Sydney economy tickets are approximately USD 625. Economy tickets from regional centres to Melbourne or Sydney are about USD 775 – you cannot terminate your journey in Manila.  

 

All flight arrangements will be made by Philippine Airlines, not by the Embassy. The airline will contact you to arrange payment and ticketing after you have registered for the flights. Please be patient as this will take some time.

 

Any flight related enquiries which include future or cancelled Philippine Airlines flight bookings need to be discussed with the airline.  

 

These flights will probably be the best option for you to return to Australia and for many the only option for the foreseeable future. If you choose to purchase a ticket on one of these flights you need to make arrangements for your transport to the airport that you will depart from.  The Australian Embassy is working with the relevant provincial and local authorities to ensure movement through checkpoints.  You will need to carry a hardcopy of your ticket to get through any checkpoints – an e-copy may not be enough.

 

We appreciate these flights cannot reach everyone but we have worked hard to get flights to as many locations as possible.  We are still working on alternatives for those who cannot reach these flights. 

 

TRANSPORTATION AND VISA EXTENSION

 

If you choose to purchase a ticket on one of these flights you need to make arrangements for your transport to the airport that you will depart from.

The Australian Embassy is working with the relevant provincial and local authorities to ensure movement through checkpoints and will provide an Embassy letter for you to show to Philippine authorities to facilitate your movement. You will need to carry a hardcopy of your ticket to get through any checkpoints – an e-copy may not be enough.

The Bureau of Immigration will be available at the terminal in Manila (NAIA) to resolve any visa issues.

Please note if you have overstayed your visa prior to the lockdown you should contact the Bureau of Immigration in advance as these issues may not be able to be resolved at the airport. Contact their offices: http://www.immigration.gov.ph/contact-us/other-immigration-offices

 

IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS

 

If you wish to be accompanied by an immediate family member who is not a permanent resident or Australian citizen, and does not currently hold a valid visa, they will need to apply as soon as possible. Once they have applied they will need to email the [email protected] mailbox with the Subject ‘URGENT Visa Application – PAL Repatriation flight’.  Once the visa has been granted, an exemption to Australia’s travel ban will need to be sought.  To do this please visit https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/coming-australia and complete the online request form.  We cannot guarantee a visa will be issued in time for these flights.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA

 

Personal Protective Equipment:

You will be required to supply your own mask to be worn during the flights.

Mandatory 14-day quarantine in Australia:

Once you arrive, you will be required to undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (for example, a hotel), in your port of arrival. Travellers will be transported directly to designated facilities after appropriate immigration, customs and enhanced health checks. Read more: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/COVID-19-australian-travellers#returning

Onward travel following quarantine:

The repatriation flights are only available to Melbourne. You will be required after you mandatory quarantine period to make you own arrangements to your end destination

 

We appreciate that many of you have advised us where you are staying and provided contact details.  We ask that you please let us know your current location, details of where you are staying, and who you are travelling with.  If you have not done so already, please also provide us with your passport details, an email address and a contactable phone number. Our email is [email protected].

 

As always we continue to encourage you to read our advice on Smartraveller and subscribe for updates to the Philippines travel advice. 

 

We remain committed to helping you get through the coming weeks.

 

Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 15 April 2020

 

 

Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 13 April 2020
 

 

Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 6 April 2020

 

 

Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 30 March 2020
 

 

 

Message from Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO, 26 March 2020

 

 

Novel Coronavirus

13 March 2020 - Following the Prime Minister's press announcement, we now advise all Australians to reconsider their need for overseas travel.  The travel advice for the Philippines has been update to the reflect this.

 

All international arrivals to Australia, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family are required to self-isolate for 14 days. See Home Affairs for further information. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus

 

The Philippine government has implemented enhanced community quarantine for Luzon Island including Metro Manila until 13 April 2020.  Other city governments around the Philippines are implementing similar restrictions.  You should book travel immediately if you wish to leave the Philippines. Contact your airline, travel providers or visit the airport to  organise onward travel from Manila, Clark or Cebu back to Australia.

 

On 19 March, The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that it is temporarily suspending visa issuance for new arrivals until further notice. This has no impact on Australians who are already in the country.

 

There are no domestic or connecting flights to and from Metro Manila. As of 20 March, the Department of Tourism is organising transportation for foreign nationals to reach Clark or Manila airports.   Please contact the DoT Facebook Page via Messenger to seek seats on these flights. 

 

Strict home quarantine is being observed and only essential movement is permitted. You should carry evidence of your purpose of travel. There is an increased presence of law enforcement.

 

We continue to advise that you to make the necessary preparations for the enhanced quarantine period.  This includes sourcing accommodation and restricting your movements in order to comply with self-quarantine requirements.  Further, non-essential movement and gathering in groups may expose you to COVID-19.  Some local authorities have put curfews in place.  Supermarkets and pharmacies are still open.  You should ensure you have enough food, drinking water, and required medicines.