Anticipating an influx of international passengers who will arrive and depart from the country’s ports of entry and exit, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Saturday reminded travelers that registration in the one-stop electronic travel declaration system (eTravel) is a requirement for visitors from other countries.

According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, all arriving and departing passengers should register at eTravel, which is a prerequisite for the conduct of immigration formalities by BI officers manning the bureau’s counters in international airports and seaports.

He noted that eTravel registration, which can be done via the eGov PH App or the government website https://etravel.gov.ph, strengthens border control services and results in a seamless travel experience for the public.

At the same time, Tansingco urged airline companies to cooperate in the implementation of the project, saying it is their responsibility to advise their customers that registering at the eTravel system is mandatory.

“We have sent reminders to airline companies to remind passengers to register on the eTravel platform prior to arrival or departure from the country,” he said in a statement.

Under the rules, arriving Filipino and foreign crewmembers and passengers, as well as departing Filipino passengers are required to register at eTravel.

Passengers exempted from registering are foreign diplomats and their dependents; foreign dignitaries and members of their delegation; holders of 9(e) diplomatic visas; and holders of diplomatic and official/service passports.

The eTravel is a joint project of the BI, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Tourism, and other government agencies and stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry.

Tansingco said the BI is also set to procure eTravel kiosks to allow individuals who have no access to smartphones or the Internet to register on the spot.

The eTravel replaces the arrival and departure cards that international passengers were required to fill out before being cleared by immigration officers.

It reduces paper-based requirements by harmonizing all data needs in one joint platform. (PNA)