EXPLAINER: The new eArrival Card for PH's inbound travelers

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Philippine government is replacing the One Health Pass (OHP) contact tracing platform with the new Electronic Arrival (eArrival) Card to streamline requirements for travelers arriving in the country, effective Nov. 1.

CNN Philippines lists down everything you need to know about the eArrival Card.

What is the eArrival Card?

The eArrival Card is the new online health declaration and contact tracing platform for incoming Filipino and foreign travelers, which will be used via a scan-and-go-system in Philippine airports or seaports.

To ensure ease of travel, the eArrival Card also reduces information fields from the passenger registration procedures previously implemented under the OHP system.

"[This] introduces great convenience to our travelers and tourists in the sense that the interface is more user-friendly, and 20 questions that used to be in place have now been reduced to 10 specifically those that are tourism-related," Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Tuesday, Oct. 25.

There is no need to download any application to access the platform. The eArrival Card can be opened via a mobile or computer internet browser and is free of charge.

When do I register?

Travelers are encouraged to pre-register within 72 hours or three days before departure.

How do I register?

Visit https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/ and click "register" either as a Filipino or foreign national. Fill out the necessary fields containing your travel details, including your COVID-19 vaccination status, personal profile, and your health declaration.

A unique QR code will then be issued for each traveler with complete requirements. Those who filled out wrong information or who have missing requirements will be issued with a barcode and will have to undergo manual verification upon arrival.

Take a screenshot of the QR code or barcode on your mobile device before leaving the website. You may also check this under the "My Profile" tab upon entering your family name and transaction number.

Present the QR code or barcode from your device or via a printed copy prior to boarding and to Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) officers at your destination airport/seaport.

Frasco said special lanes in the airports/seaports would also be provided for those who were unable to fill out their eArrival Card.

Express lane vs manual process

If you are issued with a QR code upon successful online registration, you are qualified to use the express lane where your QR code will be scanned and tagged for your arrival date and time. No further interview or submission of any documents will be required by the quarantine officer.

If you are issued with a barcode, you will have to submit supporting documents or be interviewed upon arrival at the airport by the quarantine officer. He will manually determine if you need to undergo facility-based quarantine and RT-PCR testing.

If BOQ is able to verify your information and found you to be compliant based on the entry requirements, you may proceed to Immigration without the need for facility-based quarantine.

Can I use the same QR code/barcode for my next trip?

The BOQ said in compliance with Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act, all sensitive personal information is immediately deleted from the eArrival Card database after completely processed. New registration is required for each travel.

For other queries about the eArrival Card system, visit https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/OHP-NEW-DESIGN/FAQ.html