Philippines challenges Oman’s HIV test requirement for Filipino travellers
DFA, Omani Embassy to meet on mandatory HIV test for Filipino travelers
MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Omani Embassy in Manila are meeting next week on a requirement for all Filipino travelers to the sultanate to present negative HIV tests.
The DFA on Friday said it has “made strong representations” to the embassy for the removal of the policy, which is being implemented without official notice to the Philippines.
It also said that the Sultanate of Oman is “seriously” reviewing the requirement.
The DFA said the embassy had clarified that the HIV certificate “applies only to tourists availing of the visa-free entry to Oman, and not to those who were issued work visas.”
Filipino tourists bound for Oman who had applied for and were granted visas have also been required at airline check-in to submit HIV certificates before being allowed to board their flights.
The Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman's capital, said earlier in the week that it had received reports of the new requirement and of Filipino passengers not being allowed to board their flights.
The embassy also said Omani authorities had not sent official notice of the new policy.
“The DFA expects a positive outcome given the good and strong relationship between the Philippines and Oman,” the department said Friday.
