The ₱1,620 travel tax in the Philippines is an exit levy collected by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) from Filipino citizens, permanent resident aliens, and non-immigrant foreign nationals who have stayed in the country more than a year, whenever they depart on an economy or business class ticket. First class travelers pay ₱2,700. If your ticket was issued in the Philippines, the tax is almost always already in the fare; if it was issued abroad, you generally pay TIEZA directly before you fly.1Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. Reduced Travel Tax
Who Owes the Tax
Three groups pay every time they leave the country: Filipino citizens, permanent resident aliens, and non-immigrant foreign nationals whose stay in the Philippines has exceeded one year. Citizenship travelers pay regardless of where the ticket was bought or the reason for the trip.2Lawphil. Presidential Decree 1183 – Amending and Consolidating the Provisions on Travel Tax
Foreign tourists on short visits do not owe it. Neither do airline crew, foreign diplomats, or non-immigrant aliens who have been in the country less than a year.3Philippine Consulate General Los Angeles. Travel Tax Exemption and Duty Free Privileges
Check Your Ticket First
Before you plan a separate payment, look at your ticket’s tax breakdown. Airlines selling tickets in the Philippines collect the travel tax on TIEZA’s behalf and remit it to the government, so it appears as a line item in the fare. Paying twice is a real risk if you don’t check.
Tickets bought outside the Philippines usually don’t include the travel tax. In that case you pay TIEZA directly, either online or at the airport counter, before check-in. If you can’t tell from the receipt, ask your airline before you get to the terminal.
Reduced Rates
TIEZA offers two tiers below the full amount.
Standard Reduced Rate
The standard reduced rate is half the full amount: ₱810 economy or business, ₱1,350 first class. It applies to:
- Minors aged two to twelve on the date of departure, with an original or certified birth certificate.
- Accredited Filipino journalists traveling on official media assignment, with documentation from their outlet and press accreditation.
- Filipinos traveling abroad for medical treatment, with certification from their physician.
These categories come from Section 2-A of Presidential Decree No. 1205.4Supreme Court of the Philippines. Presidential Decree No. 1205 – Further Amending Presidential Decree No. 1183
Privileged Reduced Rate for OFW Dependents
Dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers pay ₱300 economy or business, ₱400 first class. You’ll typically need proof of the family relationship and evidence of the OFW’s employment abroad.5Philippine Embassy in Singapore. Travel Tax Exemptions
Full Exemptions
Some travelers owe nothing. The common categories:
- Overseas Filipino Workers with a valid Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), traveling to their work country. Directly hired workers can use a Certificate of Employment issued or authenticated by a Philippine Embassy or Consulate.6Philippine Consulate General New York. Travel Tax Exemption
- Infants under two years old on the date of departure.
- Filipino permanent residents abroad whose stay in the Philippines was less than one year.
- Balikbayans under Republic Act No. 6768 whose stay was less than one year, and family members of former Filipino citizens traveling with them.
- Foreign diplomatic personnel and their families.
- Philippine government employees on official travel.
- United Nations and international organization personnel.
- Bona fide students traveling on scholarships.
One catch trips up many OFWs. The OEC exemption only covers travel to your actual worksite. If you’re flying to a third country for personal reasons, you pay the full ₱1,620 or ₱2,700 like any other citizen.6Philippine Consulate General New York. Travel Tax Exemption
How to Pay
Online
TIEZA’s Online Travel Tax Services System doesn’t require an account. Enter your passport details, flight information, and ticket number, then pay by credit card. The system generates a confirmation linked to your passport.7Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. Pay Travel Tax Online Paying a day or two before your flight avoids the airport line during peak travel periods.
At the Airport
TIEZA maintains counters at major international departure terminals. Bring your passport and a copy of your itinerary or e-ticket. For a reduced rate, bring the supporting document that fits your category: birth certificate for a minor, press accreditation for a journalist, medical certification for treatment abroad. For a full exemption, OFWs should have the OEC or authenticated employment contract ready. The counter issues a receipt or stamps your record, and airlines check for this at check-in.
Arrive early. During holidays and peak OFW travel, counter lines can run over an hour, and you can’t board without proof of payment or exemption.