When Filipino children below 18 years old travel abroad, protecting their safety and preventing trafficking are top priorities for government authorities and families. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) mandates a travel clearance for minors traveling alone or with someone other than their parents, putting in place strict requirements and careful screening. If you are planning for your child or a minor relative to leave the country, understanding the travel clearance process is important.
What Is DSWD Travel Clearance for Minors?
Travel clearance is an official certificate issued by DSWD to Filipino children (under 18) who are traveling overseas unaccompanied by their parents, or accompanied by people other than their parents, such as extended relatives, friends, or legal guardians. This credential ensures that the travel is authorized, safe, and in accordance with Philippine laws preventing child trafficking and abduction.
Without this clearance, a minor may be denied boarding or stopped by the Bureau of Immigration at Philippine airports and seaports.
Who Needs Travel Clearance for Minors?
Not every young traveler requires a DSWD travel clearance. The following minors must secure travel clearance:
- Children aged 13 to 18 traveling abroad alone
- Any minor traveling overseas with a non-parent companion (e.g., aunt, uncle, friend, legal guardian)
- Illegitimate children traveling abroad with a companion who isn’t their mother
This rule also applies to married minors, regardless of their civil status, if traveling without parents.
Who Does Not Need Travel Clearance?
Travel clearance is not required for:
- Minors traveling with either parent, a solo parent, or a legal guardian
- Minors who hold a permanent residency card or a valid dependent visa/pass from another country and who live abroad with their parents
- Non-Filipino minors (holders of foreign passports)
- Illegitimate children traveling with their biological mother
- Minors whose parents are working or residing overseas (in specific cases, as long as a valid residency or dependent pass is available)
These exceptions ensure that genuine family reunifications or legitimate overseas residence are not unnecessarily burdened.
Validity and Fees of DSWD Travel Clearance
A DSWD travel clearance is valid for one year or two years, depending on the fee paid, and allows for multiple trips within the issued period as long as travel circumstances remain unchanged. If travel companions, purposes, or destinations change, a new clearance must be secured.
- One-year validity: Php 300
- Two-year validity: Php 600
Fees are paid to the DSWD Regional Office when filing the application.
Travel Clearance Requirements: What You Need to Prepare
To secure a travel clearance, applicants must collect and submit several key documents. Requirements depend on whether the minor is traveling alone or with a non-parent companion, and on the minor’s family circumstances.
- If the Minor is Traveling Alone (First Time)
- Completed travel clearance application form
- PSA-issued birth certificate or photocopy
- Notarized affidavit of consent from both parents, solo parent, or legal guardian specifying destination, companion (if any), travel dates, and purpose
- PSA-issued marriage certificate of parents or certificate or legal guardianship, if relevant
- Solo parent proof or no marriage certificate (CENOMAR) if applicable
- Two recent colored passport photos (taken within the last six months)
- Special requirements for abandoned minors, deceased parents, or missing parent cases (may include case study report, police blotter, returned registered mail, etc.)
- Minor Traveling with a Non-Parent Companion (First Time)
- Completed travel clearance application
- Birth certificate
- Notarized affidavit of consent permitting a specific companion by both parents/legal guardian (including relationship, travel info, purpose, destination, trip dates)
- Marriage certificate, guardianship certificate, solo parent proof, annulment/decree, or CENOMAR, where applicable
- Photocopy of the companion’s passport
- Two recent passport photos
- Illegitimate Children Traveling with Biological Father or Others
- Special restrictions apply: if the child travels with the biological father or anyone other than the mother, clearance is needed. If the mother travels with the child, clearance is NOT required.
- Abandoned Children or Orphans With Non-Parent Companion
- Court order for guardianship and additional affidavits or case studies from social workers if parents are deceased, missing, or in custody disputes
- Renewals
- Updated documents when extending beyond initial clearance or if conditions change
DSWD may request additional documents during assessment to ensure child protection.
How to File for Travel Clearance
- Download or Obtain the Application Form
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- Application forms are available at DSWD regional offices or can be downloaded from the DSWD website.
- Gather All Required Supporting Documents
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- Compile birth certificates, affidavits of consent, guardianship papers, passport photos, and any specialty documents per your minor’s situation.
- Submit to the DSWD Regional Office
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- File the completed application and all supporting papers at the DSWD regional office where the minor resides. Pay the fee (Php 300 for one year, Php 600 for two years).
- Attend Assessment if Required
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- DSWD staff may interview applicants or ask for extra documents, especially in complex cases (abandoned, custody issues, or suspected trafficking risk).
- Receive the Travel Clearance Certificate
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- Upon approval, receive the official clearance certificate, valid for one or two years, usable for multiple trips under the same circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Travel Clearance
Q: Is the clearance valid for multiple trips?
Yes, provided the purpose, destination, and companion remain the same.
Q: What changes invalidate my clearance?
A change in companion, purpose, or destination. Apply for a new clearance.
Q: Are married minors exempt?
No, married minors must still secure travel clearance if traveling alone or with non-parent companions.
Q: For custody disputes or hold order cases, what’s required?
A court order is mandatory before DSWD will issue clearance.
Q: Are permanent residency cardholders exempt?
Yes, minors holding valid permanent residency cards, dependent visas, or passes are exempt.
Q: Who gives consent for totally orphaned minors?
Grandparents may give consent if acting as legal guardians; otherwise, a court-appointed legal guardian is needed.
Q: How to handle cases of abandoned illegitimate children by the mother?
The father must secure a court order vesting parental authority if accompanying the child abroad.
Common Challenges and Tips
- Many delays stem from incomplete or improperly authenticated documents; check every requirement carefully before submission.
- Notarization must occur at the minor’s residence or in the proper jurisdiction.
- The consent affidavit must be detailed, specific, and include all travel information.
- Unique surname cases make CENOMAR processing longer; plan early.
- The DSWD may request additional documents or case study reports in complex situations.
Final Thoughts
Traveling abroad opens opportunities for Filipino minors, but safeguarding their welfare is paramount. The DSWD travel clearance system ensures that children are fully protected and their travel is legitimate, authorized, and in their best interest. With careful preparation, accurate documentation, and proactive communication with DSWD, securing travel clearance can be straightforward, opening safe global journeys for Filipino children.
Need Help Securing Travel Clearance for Minors?
Work Visa Philippines provides comprehensive assistance for families navigating travel clearance applications for minors. If you are a tourist with a minor accompanying you, our team can help with form preparation, document authentication, DSWD coordination, and ensure all requirements are met for a smooth, rapid approval, keeping your child’s safety and legal compliance front and center. Contact us for assistance:
- Contact Us Here
- Fill Out the Form Below
- Call us at +63 (02) 8540-9623
