Latest Guide to Filling Out the Philippines eTravel Electronic Arrival Card in Guilin

Attention travelers, visitors, and business guests departing from Guilin Liangjiang Airport for the Philippines: The eTravel electronic arrival card policy has been fully updated. Starting in 2026, Customs and airlines are enforcing strict dual checks. Common issues include QR codes expiring if submitted too early, children not being declared separately, and boarding denials due to incorrect information. Many Guilin travelers, unfamiliar with the latest rules, have rushed to re-submit at the airport, causing delays to their trips.

This guide combines airport verification requirements for departures from Guilin with the latest Philippine entry policies. It includes a complete submission tutorial, a checklist of required documents, and exclusive local tips to help you fill out your application correctly and clear customs smoothly on the first try.

I. Key Changes in the Latest 2026 Policy

According to the latest enforcement rules from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and the Bureau of Quarantine, combined with the actual verification standards implemented by airlines departing from Guilin, there are 3 core policy changes:

1. Strict submission timing: You must complete the declaration within 72 hours before arrival in the Philippines. QR codes submitted more than 72 hours in advance will expire and will not be accepted at check-in. We recommend submitting between 1 and 2 days before departure to avoid both late submissions and last-minute rush.

2. Individual Declaration Requirement: All travelers, regardless of age—including infants and children—must register and complete their own eTravel declaration. Sharing a declaration with parents is not permitted; failure to comply will result in interception upon arrival.

3. Full verification coverage: The eTravel QR code must be verified at the check-in counters of Guilin Liangjiang Airport, Philippine immigration quarantine, and customs. Boarding and entry are denied without a valid code.

II. eTravel Electronic Arrival Card: Basic Overview

The Philippines eTravel is the official all-in-one electronic travel declaration system, replacing traditional paper arrival cards. All foreign travelers entering the Philippines are required to complete this form. Key features include:

Completely free: Official filings incur no fees. Beware of scam sites charging for submission services.

Complete online: Accessible via mobile or desktop browser; no app download required.

One Code for All: The personal QR code generated after successful declaration serves as a unified credential for check-in, entry, and quarantine.

III. Required Documents Before Submission

Gather the following materials in advance to complete the form without interruption.

1. Valid passport: Must be valid for at least 6 more months. Ensure the information page is clear and that your name, passport number, issue date, and expiration date are entered accurately.

2. Travel Itinerary: Round-trip flight itinerary from Guilin, including airline name, flight number, arrival date and time in the Philippines, and arrival airport.

3. Accommodation Details: Name, full address, and contact number of the hotel where you will stay on your first night in the Philippines. If staying with friends or family, provide their residential address.

4. Additional information: an email address and personal contact method capable of receiving verification codes, and a travel history to countries within the past 30 days.

4. Step-by-Step Submission Guide (Desktop & Mobile)

Complete your submission in 10 minutes by following these 7 steps:

Step 1: Access the official declaration platform

Open your browser and visit the official Philippine eTravel website. Select "Arrival".

Guilin travelers: Do not open this link directly in WeChat's built-in browser, as it may fail to load. Please use your phone's default browser, Chrome, or Edge instead.

Step 2: Register and log in

Register with a common email, set a password, and activate via email verification. Existing accounts can log in directly.

Step 3: Enter your basic personal information

Enter details exactly as they appear on your passport: full name (matching the pinyin), date of birth, gender, nationality, passport number, issue date, expiration date, and issuing country.

Important reminder: Ensure the spelling of your name is correct. While letter case does not matter, the order must exactly match your passport; otherwise, the QR code verification will fail.

Step 4: Enter trip and flight details

Select your travel purpose (tourism, business, family visit, etc.) and country of origin, then enter:

Airline name, flight number (flight numbers for departures from Guilin can be found on your ticket itinerary)

Arrival date, time, and airport in the Philippines (e.g., Manila, Cebu)

Seat Number (Optional; can be filled after check-in)

Step 5: Enter your accommodation address

Enter complete details for your first night's accommodation in the Philippines, including the hotel/residence name, full address, and city/province.

Step 6: Complete health and customs declaration

Health Declaration: Accurately report countries/regions visited in the past 30 days, recent health status, any symptoms related to infectious diseases, and vaccination history.

Customs Declaration: Select "Yes" and provide details if you are carrying currency equivalent to more than 10000 USD, plants or animals, food, or a large quantity of medications. Otherwise, select "No".

Step 7: Submit and save completion credential

Submit your declaration after verifying all information. Your unique QR code will be generated immediately.

✅ Required: Save the QR code screenshot to your phone's gallery and print a hard copy for backup. You'll also receive a confirmation email—keep it for your records.

V. Exclusive Guidelines for Departures from Guilin

Based on actual departure conditions at Guilin Liangjiang Airport, here are key pitfalls local travelers should avoid:

1. Pre-check-in verification: Airlines departing from Guilin (e.g., Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines) scan the eTravel QR code at the check-in counter. Boarding passes cannot be issued without a valid code. Confirm that your QR code is within its 72-hour validity window before arriving at the airport.

2. Filing time reference: Direct flights from Guilin to Manila take approximately 3.5 hours. If departing in the morning, file by the afternoon of day 1 prior to departure; for evening flights, filing on day 2 before departure is sufficient to avoid expiration due to lateness.

3. Airport Emergency Plan: If your QR code is invalid or you haven't submitted the form upon arrival at Guilin Airport, you can re-submit via browser over Wi-Fi. However, airport network connectivity may be unstable; we recommend completing this in advance from home.

4. Visa Waiver Policy Match: Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days. When completing eTravel, simply select "Tourist" as your purpose of travel; no additional visa information is required.

VI. Official FAQ

Can I edit 1 eTravel if I made a mistake?

Once submitted, core personal information cannot be modified. If any details are incorrect, you must re-register and submit a new form to generate a new QR code. Please carefully verify your passport number, name, flight number, and other key information before submitting.

2. How do I fill this out without a hotel booking?

Enter a bookable, cancellable hotel address for your stay; you can modify this before arrival. If staying with friends or family, enter their full address directly.

3. Do I need to complete eTravel for my layover?

An eTravel declaration is required for all arrivals in the Philippines, even if you are transiting without leaving the airport. It is not required for international transit passengers who do not enter the country.

The Philippines eTravel registration process is straightforward, but it has strict timing requirements and low tolerance for errors. Travelers departing from Guilin can complete it successfully by following three core principles: submit within 72 hours, ensure information matches your passport exactly, and file a separate declaration for each traveler.

If you encounter any issues during the application process or need assistance with Philippine visas, customized itineraries departing from Guilin, airport transfers, or other services, please contact us anytime. Our professional entry support team provides one-on-one assistance to ensure a smooth journey.