Philippines
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago
FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.
FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao, except for:
- Camiguin Island
- Dinagat Island
- Siargao Island
This advice is due to terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups in south Philippines.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Update history
2025-04-08 16:52
Updated information about the Kanlaon Volcano (See ‘Volcanoes’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-12-02 15:02
Removal of information about exit requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2024-11-28 10:09
New information about sexual assault (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-11-27 16:42
Updated information on Philippines e-travel system (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-11-15 15:48
New information about Typhoon Man Yi (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-09-27 15:18
This travel advice was reviewed for accuracy and there are no significant updates.
2024-06-10 11:01
Information that the Philippine authorities raised the alert level of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island following an eruption (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-12-08 15:08
Information on terrorism risks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-25 15:07
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-08-09 14:07
Updated information on proof of onward travel and the requirement to sign up for the ‘e-travel’ system (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-06-22 09:21
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-08 11:05
Additional of information on increased Alert Level status at Mayon Volcano (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-06-05 14:25
Removal of information about community quarantine restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ page). Additional information on armed hold-ups in Manila and other large cities (‘Safety and security’ page), and editorial changes throughout.
2022-12-28 09:35
Updated information on entry requirements to the Philippines if fully vaccinated (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-12-02 15:59
Updated information on registering for an e-TRAVEL Pass prior to arrival (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-11-07 10:41
Updated information on entry protocols for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers entering the Philippines (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-11-03 13:19
Updated information on registering for eARRIVAL prior to entering the Philippines (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-09-30 12:20
Removal of information about Super Typhoon Karding (Noru) and updated information for international transit passengers (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-09-25 06:07
Information on Super Typhoon Karding (Noru)
2022-08-19 14:36
Updated information on transiting the Philippines and removal of information on the July 2022 earthquake (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages)
2022-07-27 10:14
Addition of information on a 7.0 magnitude earthquake reported on 27 July (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2022-05-30 15:28
Updated link to entry requirement rules and removal of information on the requirement to have travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-05-27 10:49
Updated information on exemptions to the pre-COVID testing requirement for certain categories of traveller (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-18 14:53
Removal of information on national elections in the Philippines (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-05-06 12:11
Updated information on rallies to mark the end of the national election campaign period on 7 May (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-04-12 11:25
Updated information on national elections and alert status for Taal Volcano (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and Natural disasters’ pages)
2022-03-28 15:14
Updated information on alert status for Taal volcano (‘Natural disasters’ page)
2022-03-14 16:13
Updated information on testing requirements for entry to the Philippines (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-24 10:20
Updated information on entry requirements for the Philippines (‘Entry requirements’ page)