Dear Canadians,
What follows is an important message from the Government of Canada for Canadians stranded in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please read it carefully and completely.
The Government of Canada has partnered with Philippine Airlines (PAL) to provide dedicated commercial flights for stranded Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents who wish to return to Canada. This email contains critical information and instructions for those who wish to access these flights.
Travellers must make their own travel decisions weighing risks specific to their individual situation. The higher price of dedicated flights and the inherent health and safety risks of travelling under the current circumstances must be carefully considered. You are ultimately responsible for keeping you and your family safe and healthy.
Information about dedicated commercial flights to Canada
Flights from Manila to both Toronto and Vancouver are currently planned:
Manila to Toronto
Tuesday, April 14 at 16:50 US $2122 [approx. Can$ 2995.00]
Manila to Vancouver
Tuesday, April 14 at 19:20 US $1596 [approx. Can$ 2252.50]
Because this is a special dedicated flight in extraordinary circumstances, all passengers will pay the same price as there is a single class of service for this particular repatriation.
Onward travel within Canada from either Vancouver or Toronto will be the responsibility of the traveler.
Information about dedicated domestic sweeper flights
Where demand is sufficient, we expect that dedicated sweeper flights will be scheduled on the morning of April 14 to bring stranded Canadian passengers from provinces within the Philippines to Manila. The price of sweeper flights would be included in the cost of the flight to Vancouver or Toronto.
We have identified clusters of Canadians in and around Cebu City, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa and Bacolod. If you are interested in accessing these flights, it is important that you signify your interest by responding as soon as possible to this message.
If passenger has a PAL ticket to Canada that was previously cancelled or for a future flight:
Travellers in possession of a confirmed ticket on a cancelled or future PAL flight to Canada will be permitted to use the value of their existing ticket towards the cost of purchasing a ticket on this dedicated flights. The traveller will pay any difference in fare.
This credit is applicable only to tickets that were purchased directly from PAL, not from agents. Passengers who purchased tickets for cancelled PAL flights from agents should contact their agents to rebook their flight.
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Eligibility to board:
All passengers, including Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents, must be in possession of a valid travel document (i.e. passport) and be able to meet the departure requirements of the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration.
No passengers showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be permitted to board the aircraft. Any passenger exhibiting symptoms during the flight will be quarantined upon arrival at the destination city.
Permanent Residents must have either: (1) a valid Permanent Resident Card; (2) a Permanent Resident Travel Document in their passport; or (3) a Permanent Resident visa approved before March 18, 2020.
Immediate family members of that are neither Canadian Citizens nor PRs of Canada must be in possession of a valid visa or electronic travel authorization and show that they are travelling to Canada for essential reasons, and not reasons that are optional or discretionary, such as tourism, recreation or entertainment.
Facilitation of travel within the Philippines:
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How to express interest in dedicated commercial flights
1. Do not respond directly to this email. If you are prepared to purchase tickets in accordance with the costs and restrictions outlined above, please reply by email to
ph.covid@international.gc.ca within 24 hours of receipt of this message. The subject line of your message should be in the following format: Closest airport-Family Name, for example CEB-Ladouceur.
2. Provide all of the following information (incomplete e-mails may not be processed):
a. Personal information for each traveller in your family; including:
i. full name as it appears on your passport;
ii. birth date;
iii. passport number and expiration date;
iv. for Permanent Residents and foreign nationals, unique client identifier (UCI) and most recent application number
b. If you are interested in availing of one of the potential sweeper flights to Manila, which airport is most accessible from your current location?
c. Detail any mobility issues which could affect your travel.
d. Provide details if you currently have symptoms of COVID-19. For more info:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms
The personal information you provide will be used by the Embassy of Canada to support your return to Canada and may be shared cooperatively with Philippine Airlines and the Government of the Philippines.
Please share this update with other Canadian citizens in your area. Remind them also that the best way to receive future updates is by registering to receive ROCA messages at:
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration.
Embassy of Canada, Manila, Philippines
