Bureau of Quarantine Yellow Card: How to Get an ICV in the Philippines

Do You Really Need an International Certificate of Vaccination? Here’s How to Get One

Be travel-ready!
by Meryl Medel | March 18, 2022

Are you traveling overseas anytime soon? You should check if your destination country requires you to present an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) or the so-called yellow card. If your destination country needs to see it, you should get yours ASAP. Here’s everything you need to know about the yellow card:

What is a yellow card?

yellow card ICV

via Wikipedia

The yellow card, officially known as the International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV), is a temporary, government-issued document that serves as a proof that a traveler has been fully vaccinated against certain illnesses, such as COVID-19, in the Philippines.

Primarily used for international travel, the ICV is recognized as a valid document by member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Who can apply for a yellow card?

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) are only issuing ICVs for those who have been fully vaccinated in the Philippines. They are unable to issue an ICV for those who got their first dose or both doses abroad.

When do you need a yellow card?

If you’re travelling abroad, you may need an ICV, especially if the country you’re going to requires it. The ICV does not serve as an “immunity passport” but is only a proof of vaccination widely accepted around the world.

The ICV is not mandatory for all countries, but you should check the entry requirements of your destination country to see if it is required.

What details does a yellow card contain?

yellow card ICV

via Wikipedia

Once issued, the ICV should have the following information:

traveler’s personal information (including name, date of birth, passport number, etc.)
the vaccine or prophylaxis administered
the date the vaccine was administered
the manufacturer batch number of the vaccine
the certificate of validity
the official stamp of the administering center (in the Philippines’ case, DOH or BOQ)
the supervising physician’s signature and professional status
a unique QR code

What are the required documents to apply for a yellow card?

How much is a yellow card?

You need to pay a total fee of PHP 370 to be able to request your ICV. The yellow card costs PHP 300 with an additional PHP 70 as a convenience fee.

How to get yellow card for COVID vaccine: Make a Bureau of Quarantine yellow card online appointment

yellow card ICV
Most of the steps to get an ICV are done online. You just need to visit the onsite location once. Simply follow the steps below to start the process:

Prepare the required documents (see above).
Log on to the Bureau of Quarantine Online Booking System.
Choose your location.
Enter your email address.
Select the service you need, which in this case is the “International Certification of Vaccine for COVID-19.”
Choose your preferred date and time on the calendar.
Enter your personal information, including travel and contact details.
Submit the required documents by uploading photos or scanned versions.
Pay the fee.
Make sure to save a copy of your receipt with the reference number.
On the day of your scheduled appointment, bring your required documents and present your reference number at the venue.