Travel Clearance is a document issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Offices whichever is applicable to a minor travelling abroad unaccompanied by any of the parent or those persons having parental authority and legal custody over the child.

WHO IS A MINOR?
Minor (also referred to as “Child”) as defined in RA 7610 refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or one who is over eighteen (18) but is unable to fully take care of or protect himself/herself from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of physical or mental disability or condition.

WHAT ARE THE LEGAL BASIS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRAVEL CLEARANCE?
International Instruments

1. 1. United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC)
   2. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

Local Laws

• • Republic Act No. 11983 – New Philippine Passport Act
  • Republic Act No. 11930 – Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act
  • Republic Act No. 11909 – Permanent Validity of the Certificates of Live Birth, Death, and Marriage Act”
  • Republic Act No. 8972 – Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act
  • Republic Act No. 11596 – An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof
  • Republic Act No. 11642 – Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Care Act
  • Republic Act No. 11032 – the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018
  • Republic Act No. 10165 – An Act to Strengthen and Propagate Foster Care and to Provide Funds therefor
  • Republic Act No. 9255 – An Act Allowing Illegitimate children to use the surname of their father
  • Republic Act No. 9231 – An Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Afford Stronger Protection for the Working Child Amending for this purpose RA 7610
  • Republic Act No. 9208 – Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by Republic Act No. 10364 and further amended by Republic Act No. 11862 or the Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act
  • Republic Act No 8239 – Philippine Passports Act of 1996
  • Republic Act No. 7658 – An Act Prohibiting the Employment of children below 15 years of age in Public and Private Undertaking, amending for this purpose Section 12, Article VIll of RA 7610
  • Republic Act No. 7610 also known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse Exploitation and Discrimination Act” Executive Order No. 209, s. 1987 or the “Family Code of the Philippines”

WHO NEEDS TO SECURE A TRAVEL CLEARANCE?

• • Filipino minor who is travelling alone using the Philippine Passport only for their travel outside the Philippines;
  • Filipino minor travelling with prospective adoptive parent/s for purpose of inter-country adoption;
  • Filipino minor travelling with a person other than his/her parent/s, legal guardian or person exercising parental authority/ legal custody over him/her;
  • Filipino minor who is illegitimate and is travelling with his/her biological father;
  • For married minors, the same requirement applies to that of unmarried minors travelling abroad.

WHO ARE EXEMPTED TO SECURE TRAVEL CLEARANCE?

• A minor accompanied by the following:

1. 1. Either or both of the minor’s parents, if legitimate minor;
   2. The minor’s biological mother, if illegitimate minor;
   3. The minor’s father who has been granted sole parental authority or custody by the proper court, if the minor is illegitimate;
   4. The minor’s legal guardian;
   5. The person, including one of the minor’s parents, who was granted sole parental authority or legal custody by the proper court, in which case the court decision should specifically include a statement to this effect, i.e., naming the person to whom sole parental authority or legal custody over the minor has been granted;
   6. Minor’s adoptive parents if the minor granted with adoption decree and certificate of finality.

• A minor who is an immigrant or a permanent resident abroad, with foreign passport, or whose parents are in the Foreign Service holding diplomatic/official passport such as Ambassador/ General Consul/Consul/Attaches, provided he/she is holding a valid passport such as dependent visa/identification card which served as proof that the travel does not constitute trafficking.

FOR FIRST TIME APPLICANT

• QR-coded Birth Certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
• QR-coded Marriage Certificate of the minor’s parents or the Court Decision on Legal Guardianship, Solo Parent ID, if applicable;
• Affidavit of support and Certified copy of Evidence of financial capability of the sponsor such as any of the following:

a.A certificate of Employment;
b.Latest ITR; or
c.Bank Statement.

• QR-coded Death Certificate (in case of death of either parent or both issued by the Local Civil Registrar;
• Scanned copy of colored passport-size photos of the minor (in white background) taken within six (6) months;
• Valid ID/Passport of Parents (with signature); and
• Passport of Minor (if available)

FOR RENEWAL

• Scanned copy of colored passport-size photos of the minor (in white background) taken within six (6) months;
• Valid ID/Passport of parents (signature), Solo Parent ID, if applicable;
• Affidavit of support and Certified copy of Evidence of financial capability of the sponsor such as any of the following:

1. A certificate of Employment;

b.Latest ITR; or
c.Bank Statement.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MINOR/S UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

FOR FILIPINO MINORS MIGRATING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY (FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING IF EXEMPTED)

• Scanned copy of the Visa petition approval.

FOR A MINOR WHO IS OVER 18 YEARS OLD BUT IS UNABLE TO FULLY TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF/HERSELF FROM ABUSE, NEGLECT, CRUELTY, EXPLOITATION OR DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY OR CONDITION

• Scanned Certification from a Physician citing the minor’s condition and his/her inability to fully take care of him/herself.

FOR A MINOR WHO WILL STUDY ABROAD

• Scanned copy of the student visa or Acceptance or Certificate of Enrollment or Registration from the school where a minor is to be enrolled.

FOR A MINOR WHO WILL ATTEND CONFERENCE, STUDY TOURS, COMPETITION, STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM, SUMMER CAMP, PILGRIMAGE, WORLD YOUTH DAY AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES

• Scanned copy of the Certification from the sponsoring organization;
• Scanned copy of the Affidavit of undertaking of the companion indication the safety measure undertaken by the sports agency (sports competition); and
• Scanned copy of the Signed invitation from the sponsoring agency/organization abroad with an itinerary of travel and list of participants and duration of the activity/travel.

FOR MINORS GOING ABROAD FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES (ONLY APPLICABLE TO CHILDREN IN CHILD CARING AGENCIES AND SWDAS WITH SPONSORS ABROAD FOR THEIR MEDICAL TREATMENT

• Scanned copy of the Medical Abstract of the minor;
• Scanned copy of the Recommendation from the attending physician that such medical procedure is not available in the country; and
• Scanned Letter from the Sponsor.

FOR A MINOR GOING ABROAD FOR INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION

• NACC issued Consent to Travel.

FOR A MINOR UNDER FOSTER CARE

• RACCO issued Consent to Travel.

FOR MINORS UNDER ADOPTION (MUST HAVE AN UNDERGOING FILED PETITION)

• RACCO issued Consent to Travel.

FOR MINORS UNDER LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP
Scanned Certified True Copy of Court Order on Legal Guardianship.

FOR ABANDONED MINORS WITH ALLEGED MISSING PARENTS:

• Social Case Study Report executed by a Licensed Social Worker of the Local government unit of the parent/guardian; and
• Blotter report from either the local police or barangay certification from the locality or the last known address of the alleged missing parent.
• Solo Parent ID, if applicable.

FOR SECURING THE MANDATORY CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION

• If the parents are not married, and the child’s traveling companion is the biological father who has sole parental custody or legal custody over the minor as evidenced by a Court Order;

a.QR-coded PSA issued birth certificate of minor;
b.Scanned Court Order granting the Sole Parental Custody to the biological father.

• When the traveling companion is the legal guardian;

1. QR-coded PSA-issued birth certificate of a minor;
2. Scanned Court Order granting Legal Guardianship over the minor.

FOR SECURING THE MANDATORY CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION

• Orphans of married parents and traveling with substitute parent/s (grandparents or nearest kin per Family Code):

a.QR-coded PSA issued a birth certificate of a minor;
b.QR-coded PSA-issued Marriage Certificate of the minor’s
c.QR-coded PSA-issued Death Certificate of minor’s parents
d.QR-coded PSA-issued Birth Certificate of the traveling parents companion (grandparents or nearest kin) to establish the relationship with the minor

FOR SECURING THE MANDATORY CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION

• Orphans of non-married parents and traveling with the substitute parent/s (maternal side):

a.QR-coded PSA-issued birth certificate of a minor;
b.QR-coded PSA-issued Death Certificate of the minor’s
c.QR-coded PSA issued Birth Certificate of the traveling biological mother companion (maternal grandparents) to establish the relationship with the minor

CENTRALIZED PROCESSING OFFICE APPLICATION MINORS TRAVELLING ABROAD

1. 1. The applicant should review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section on the MTA portal to determine if a travel clearance or certificate of exemption is required.
   2. The applicant should create an account in the MTA portal to access and manage their application. This account will serve as the primary hub for submitting documents, scheduling interviews and assessment, and tracking the application’s progress. The applicant is advised to use an active and accessible email address when creating their account.
   3. The applicant must select whether they are applying for a travel clearance or a certificate of exemption. All necessary documents should be prepared in advance to complete the application process.
   4. Once the applicant completes the required details in the application, uploads the necessary documents, and pays the application fee. The system issues a notification confirming receipt of the application.
   5. The social worker assesses the completeness of an application with its complete supporting documents and verifies authenticity with issuing agencies/offices such such Bureau of Immigration (BI), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO), INTERPOL, and Local Social Welfare Development Office (LSWDO).
   6. Once the documents are assessed as complete and verified its authenticity with the issuing offices, the applicant must select an interview schedule in the MTA portal. The interview is conducted via Google Meet.
   7. * IF, during the assessment the applicant’s documents are found inconsistent, incomplete or potentially fraudulent, the applicant will receive a notification explaining reasons for the decision and the next steps that should be undertaken.
   8. Once interviewed and assessed and the result is a success, the application is recommended for approval by the authorized signatory.
   9. * IF, any grounds for disapproval are found or identified during the review process, the interviewer will discuss these concerns with the applicant to clearly explain the reason for the disapproval. Both parties should reach a mutual understanding regarding the grounds for disapproval before finalizing the decision.
   10. Once the application is successfully approved, the Travel Clearance will be available for download in the online portal.
   11. The MTA Office sends a copy of the Travel Clearance to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for reference and monitoring.

The Travel Clearance and Certificate of Exemption are issued within three (3) working days, provided that all requirements are clear, complete, and accurate.

VALIDITY

The Online Travel Clearance fee is Php 800.00, and the Certificate of Exemption fee is Php 300.00, both valid for one-time use only.

www.mta.dswd.gov.ph

For inquiries and concerns, you may email mta.dswd.gov.ph or call at 8931-8101 local 10360, 10361, 10363, 10364 & 10365 or the direct landline at 8951-7440.

DSWD-National Capital Region
389 San Rafael corner, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Tel/Fax:  8-310-1435,   8-733-0010 local 210

DSWD Field Office I
Quezon Avenue, San Fernando, La Union
Tel/Fax: (072) 888-2505/888-2184

DSWD-Field Office II
3 Dana Pagyaya, Regional Government Center
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Tel/Fax: (078)846-7532/846-7043

DSWD-Field Office III
Government Center, Maimpis,
San Fernando, Pampanga
Tel/Fax: (045)861-2413 (telefax)

DSWD Field Office IV-A (CALABARZON)
Alabang-Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City
Tel/Fax: (02) 387-2632 or 850-8380/807-1518

DSWD Field Office IV-B (MIMAROPA)
1680 F.T. Benitez corner Gen. Malvar Sts., Malate, Manila
Tel/Fax: (02) 336-8106 local 401/336-8106 local 103

DSWD Field Office V
Magnolia St. PBN Buraguis, Legaspi City
Tel/Fax: (052) 821-7920 or 480-5346/480-5754

DSWD Field Office VI
M.H. del Pilar Street, Molo, Iloilo City
Tel: (033) 300-0526/ 337-6221

DSWD Field Office VII
MJ Cuenco Avenue corner Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City
Tel/Fax: (032) 233-8779 or through trunkline no. 412-9908

DSWD Field Office VIII
Magsaysay Blvd., Tacloban City
Tel/Fax: (053) 321-3090 or 321-1176/ 321-1007

DSWD Field Office IX
General Vicente Alvarez St., Zamboanga City
Tel/Fax: (062) 991-6030, 991-6056 (trunkline)/993-0652
DSWD Field Office X
Masterson Ave., Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City
Tel/Fax: (088) 858-88-92/858-89-59

DSWD Field Office XI
Suazo St., cor. Magsaysay Ave., Davao City
Tel/Fax: (082) 226-28-57/227-8746

DSWD Field Office XII
9506-Purok Bumanoag, Brgy. Zone 3, Koronadal City
Tel/Fax: (083) 520-0572 or 228-3180/228-8637

DSWD Field Office CARAGA
R. Palma St. Butuan City
Tel/Fax: (085) 346-0113/815-9173

DSWD Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
40 North Drive, Baguio City
Tel/Fax: (074) 444-3209 or 444-3262/442-7917