What is a Travel Clearance?
To prevent child trafficking, the Congress enacted Republic Act 7610 (otherwise known as Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) which requires unaccompanied minors below 18 years old who are traveling abroad to secure a travel clearance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
A Travel Clearance is a document issued by the DSWD to a minor traveling outside the Philippines, alone or unaccompanied by his parents, certifying that the minor is authorized to travel abroad for valid reasons.
Who Are Required to Secure A Travel Clearance?
1. A minor traveling alone to a foreign country;
2. A minor traveling to a foreign country accompanied by a person other than his/her parents.
3. A minor who is the subject of ongoing custody battle between parents will not be issued a travel clearance unless a Court Order is issued to allow the child to travel abroad with either one of his/her parents or authorized guardian.
Exceptions:
1. Under special circumstances where a minor whose parents are in the Foreign Service or living abroad as immigrants provided he/she possesses a proof that he/she is living with parents abroad and their travel does not constitute child trafficking.
2. A minor traveling to a foreign country with both or either parents or with his/her legal guardian. Solo parenthood or legal guardianship may be proved by:
- A photocopy of the solo parent identification card from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office; or
- A photocopy of a certification from the local Social Welfare and Development Office of being a solo parent or Tallaq or Fasakh certification from the Shariah court or any Muslim barangay or religious leader; or
- In the case of an illegitimate child, a certificate of no marriage from the local civil registrar; or
- In the case of a deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate; and
- In the case of legal guardianship, a certificate of legal guardianship issued by the court.
3. In cases of illegitimate children, if they will be traveling with the mother, they are not required to secure a travel clearance from the DSWD. If they are traveling with person other than the mother, they must secure a travel clearance.
- Since the mother has the absolute parental authority over her illegitimate children the father need to secure a Court Order giving him the parental authority over the illegitimate children. If the parental authority has been granted, he is not required to secure a travel clearance. If the minor will travel alone or with someone other than the father, he/she is required to secure a travel clearance.
Period of Validity
DSWD travel clearance is valid for a period of 1 year from date of issuance and shall be valid for multiple travels within the validity period PROVIDED THAT the conditions under which the travel clearance was issued have not changed. If a change in condition occurs (ex. A change in traveling companion), a new travel clearance must be obtained.
Where to Apply
The application for travel clearance together with the supporting documents shall be submitted by the parent or legal guardian or duly authorized representative at ANY DSWD field office. The application form can be downloaded from the DSWD website www.dswd.gov.ph.
The travel clearance may be obtained within 3 working days from the DSWD office where it was submitted provided all the requirements have been fulfilled. (Administrative Order no.14 series of 2005 as amended by Administrative Order no.2 series of 2008, Amendments to Omnibus Guidelines for Minors Traveling Abroad). Source: www.immigration.gov.ph
NOTE: The following is provided for informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the information. We strongly advised that you contact the appropriate Philippine government authorities or nearest Philippine embassy/consulate for all current information and requirements.
