The DSWD only issues and requires a Travel Clearance for (individuals who are 17 years old and younger). Specifically, the clearance is mandatory for: A minor traveling alone to a foreign country.
Accomplish the required eTravel registration online before arriving at the airport. 2. Proof of Financial Capacity and Purpose
The primary purpose of the DSWD’s Travel Clearance is to protect minors—defined under Republic Act No. 11930, the Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, and related child protection laws—from trafficking, illegal recruitment, and exploitation. For any traveler under the age of eighteen, this certificate is mandatory. It serves as government-issued proof that a child is not being illegally taken out of the country and that the travel has the full, voluntary consent of both parents or legal guardians. The process involves interviews, submission of birth certificates, parental IDs, and an affidavit of support and consent. This rigorous protocol is designed to create a legal barrier against child abduction or forced labor. The DSWD only issues and requires a Travel
While a standard 18-year-old traveler doesn't need DSWD clearance, some specific situations could lead to confusion:
A standard DSWD Travel Clearance is typically valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance. It can be used for multiple entries, provided the purpose of the travel and the traveling companion remain the same. For any traveler under the age of eighteen,
If you are 18 years old and a Filipino citizen traveling abroad, —they will turn you away. Instead, focus on the Bureau of Immigration’s "adult traveler" requirements: a valid passport, proof of age, financial capacity, and a return ticket. Preparation is your best defense against offloading.
A Filipino minor needs a DSWD Travel Clearance (now often issued as a ) if they are: Traveling alone to a foreign country. —they will turn you away. Instead
: A copy of the traveling companion’s valid passport bio-page.