Are you planning to travel to other countries? Check the New IACAT Guidelines for Filipinos Traveling Abroad.
On August 22, 2023, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) released a Revised Travel Guidelines for Filipinos traveling outside the country. The IACAT is the body mandated by law to coordinate and monitor the implementation of Republic Act No. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, with the Department of justice as the lead agency.
The 2023 revised IACAT Guidelines on departing internationally bound passengers was passed to address the concern on human trafficking and not to impede the right of Filipinos to travel.
Under the updated guidelines, all outbound Filipinos will be subjected to Bureau of Immigration inspection and to present documentary requirements including basic travel requirements such as passport, etc. Additional documents may be needed to be presented by the passenger depending on their categories: Tourist, Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), Minors, and Others.
Immigration officers are also authorized to interview the traveler about the purpose of travel, to ask clarifying questions and demand for additional supporting documents.
The revised IACAT guidelines will take effect on September 3, 2023.
New IACAT Guidelines for Filipinos Traveling Abroad
Basic Travel Requirements for Filipinos
- Passport valid at least six months from date of departure
- Appropriate valid visa (whenever required)
- Boarding pass
- Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket when necessary.
Aside from the basic travel requirements, additional documents need to be presented depending on the passenger category.
Additional Requirements for Filipinos Traveling Abroad
TOURISTS
Self-funded travelers
- Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket
- Proof of hotel booking/accommodation
- Financial capacity or source of income consistent with the declared purpose of travel
- Proof of employment and other equivalent document
Sponsored travel
Under the new IACAT Guidelines, additional requirements depend on the sponsor of the passenger.
If the travel sponsor is a relative within the first civil degree (spouse, parents, or children)
- Original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued birth certificate or marriage certificate/proof of marriage as proof of first-degree relationship.
- Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket.
- Copies of the following documents of sponsor: valid passport, valid work visa/permit, residence permit, or any equivalent document together with the basic travel requirements.
- For an overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) sponsor: Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), E-Receipt, or OFW Clearance are accepted.
If the sponsor is a relative up to fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity
For this type of sponsor, the following documents are need to be presented:
- Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG)
- A confirmed return or roundtrip ticket
- An original PSA-issued birth certificate or marriage certificate showing the exact relationship between the passenger and the sponsor.
If the sponsor abroad is a non-relative or a legal/juridical entity
- Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG) duly notarized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate authorized to perform notarization services; or if the AOSG is notarized by a local notary public in the country of destination, the AOSG must be duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate (for non-Apostille countries) or apostilled by the apostille authority in the country of destination (for Apostille countries).
- Substantial proof of relationship
- Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket; and
- If a legal/juridical entity, registration papers of the sponsor.
Traveling with the Sponsor
If the tourist is traveling with his/ her sponsor, the sponsor shall present:
- Duly notarized affidavit executed by the local sponsor
- Substantial proof of relationship
- Copy of the sponsor’s return ticket consistent with that of the passenger.
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs)
OFWs Departing for the First Time
- OEC, E-receipt, or OFW Clearance duly issued by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) as appearing in the Border Control Information System (BCIS);
- Valid and appropriate employment visa or work permit or any equivalent document
- Employment contract, as necessary
- Visa Usage Undertaking13 or Manpower Request specifying visa usage approved or verified by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), if applicable.
Balik-Manggagawa (BM)
- Valid and appropriate employment visa/work permit or any equivalent document
- OFW Clearance, OEC issued on-site by the MWO or by the DMW or Migrant Workers Airport Assistance Center (MWAAC), or Online BM OEC Exemption or manually issued OEC
- Proof of employment, as necessary.
Direct-Hire
- OEC, E-receipt, or valid OFW Clearance
- Proper and valid work visa/work permit or any equivalent document.
MINORS
Traveling with Parent (s)
- Original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued birth certificate or report of birth.
- If the minor is traveling without the mother, original copy of PSA-issued marriage certificate.
Travels Requiring Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Clearance or Certificate of Exemption
DSWD Travel Clearance Certificate (TCC), When Required
Passengers traveling with a minor shall present a DSWD TCC under any of the following circumstances: a) If the parents are not married and the minor is traveling without the mother; b) If the minor is traveling with a person other than his/her parent/s; c) If the passenger is over 18 years old but unable to fully take care of himself/herself or protect himself/herself.
Minors thirteen (13) years old and above, who are traveling alone, shall present a DSWD TCC. Minors below thirteen (13) years old are absolutely prohibited from traveling alone.
DSWD Certificate of Exemption from TCC, When Required
Passengers traveling with a minor shall present a DSWD Certificate of Exemption from TCC under any of the following circumstances: a) If the parents are not married and the minor is traveling with the biological father who has sole parental authority or legal custody over the minor; b) When the traveling companion is the legal guardian; c) Orphans of married parents and traveling with the substitute parent/s
(grandparent or nearest kin); d) Orphans of non-married parents and traveling with the substitute parent/s or nearest kin on maternal side.
OTHER CATEGORIES OF PASSENGERS
Other passenger categories may be asked to provide other supporting documents according to their travel purpose.
The following passengers will be required to present a Clearance from the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO):
- Dependent Family Members Joining the OFW at the Job Site
- Filipino spouse, fiancé(e), or a partner of a foreign national with immigrant/resident/spouse/long-term/partner/prospective-marriage/family-reunification visa and other similar visas
- First time Filipino emigrants, holders of residence visa or permit/holders of Permanent Resident Card registering for the first time with CFO;
- Filipino J1 Visa Holders or Exchange Visitors Program Participants bound for the United States of America
- Passengers traveling under Au Pair Visa.
Passengers which do not fall in any of the above category may check this link for more information: IACAT Revised Guidelines.
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