IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Philippines will open designated airport lanes for nationals of Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries.

What does the change mean? The new lanes will speed business travel for travelers holding passports and other travel documents from members of the Southeast Asian bloc.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: All visas.
  • Who is affected: Nationals of ASEAN member countries.
  • Impact on processing times: The dedicated lanes will speed border clearance procedures.

Background: Under Operations Order No. SBM-2014-064, the Philippines has approved designated lanes in the arrival and departure immigration areas of Manila International Airport (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) for nationals of ASEAN member states. ASEAN comprises Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos (Lao PDR), Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

BAL Analysis: When the new lanes are open, business travelers from affected countries will be able to move more quickly through immigration areas when flying into and out of the Philippines’ main international airport in Manila.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in the Philippines.

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