Manila: In addition to passport, tickets, and e-travel logs, Filipinos traveling overseas may have to bring additional documents — such as proof of employment, proof of financial capacity, bank statement, and proof of hotel booking or accommodation — before being allowed to board their flight at the country’s major gateways.
These documents may be demanded as part of new guidelines, especially for first-time travellers and first-time OFWs. Not everyone will be asked to present the documents, an official clarified.
The new guidelines are meant specifically for certain types of outbound travellers to widen the net against human trafficking.
On August 18, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) council passed the 2023 Revised IACAT Guidelines on Departure Formalities for Internationally-Bound Filipino Passengers, with the specific aim of addressing the "emergent trends" and the "grave menace" of human trafficking.
The new guidelines, published in the Official Gazette, will kick in on September 3, 2023. The issuance followed a period during which comments from the public were sought — a window that closed on May 29, 2023.
Net against human trafficking
While the new travel rules would mean tighter screening by Philippine immigration officers in certain cases, an official explained that this would apply only to some categories of outbound Filipino travellers, especially those deemed vulnerable to falling into the hands of trafficking syndicates.
The new rules were laid down in light of the fact that profile of human trafficking victims is "increasingly characterised by individuals assuming the guise of tourists, ostensibly possessing the means to embark on international travel.”
The new guidelines also cover OFWs traveling to other countries during their vacation in the Philippines — including those who will travel to other country/ies for tourism, but will proceed directly to his/her job site.
Declared purpose of travel
Part of the “proof of financial capacity” may include a certificate of employment, indicating the traveler’s salary. Moreover, this requirement should be consistent with the passenger’s declared purpose of travel.
A bank statement may also be asked — if required by the immigration officer (IO), according to Nicholas Ty, Philippine Justice Undersecretary and IACAT chief.
Any “inconsistency” between declared purpose of travel and what the documents (or lack of it) show, may result in passenger being refused to board.
We go back to the context, if there is previous travel history and no red flags will be seen, the Filipino is able to respond properly to the immigration officer at the level of primary inspection there shouldn't be secondary inspection, further documents should not be required.
Ty said that under the new guidelines immigration officers will be empowered to assess the overall situation.
Travel history
Ty told local media: “We go back to the context, if there is previous travel history and no red flags will be seen, the Filipino is able to respond properly to the immigration officer at the level of primary inspection there shouldn't be secondary inspection, further documents should not be required.”
When additional documents will be sought
The additional documents will only be asked if the immigration officer spots any possible signs of human trafficking, the official explained.
If the officer is satisfied with the basic documents, including the information submitted to the e-travel portal, and the demeanour and responses of the passenger, “chances are within the 45-second window, the passenger will be able to depart,” he noted.
'Nothing to fear'
On Friday (August 25), the IACAT council said Filipinos travelling overseas need not bring all the documents listed in its revised guidelines to get through Philippine immigration.
The council official, however, advised first-time travellers to bring all documents necessary. He also reminded passengers that they have nothing to fear as long as they are being truthful during the immigration process.
The new guidelines states, “In addition to the inspection of basic travel documents, the Immigration Officer may propound relevant clarificatory questions and require the passenger to show additional supporting documents, when applicable, as follows:
Tourists
1. Self-funded Travels
(a.) Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket;
(b.) Proof of hotel booking/accommodation;
(c.) Financial capacity or source of income consistent with the passenger’s declared purpose of travel; and
(d.) Proof of employment and other equivalent documents.
2. Sponsored Travels
2.1. If the sponsor abroad is a relative within the first (1st) civil degree of the passenger
(a.) Original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued birth certificate/report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage as proof of first (1st) civil degree relationship;
(b.) Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket; and
(c.) Copies of the following documents of sponsor, such as:
- i. Valid passport;
- ii. Valid work visa/permit, residence permit or any equivalent document;
- iii. Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), E-receipt, or OFW Clearance, for OFW sponsors
2.2. If the sponsor abroad is a relative up to fourth (4th) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, unless otherwise limited by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate exercising jurisdiction:
(a.) Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG), and is:
- i. duly notarized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate authorized to perform notarization services; or
- ii. 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)
(b.) Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket; and
(c.) Original PSA-issued birth certificate/report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage showing the exact relationship between the passenger and the sponsor.
2.3. If the sponsor abroad is a non-relative or a legal/juridical entity:
(a). Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG), and is:
- i. duly notarized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate authorized to perform notarization services; or
- ii. 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).
(b.) Substantial proof of relationship;
(c.) Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket; and
(d.) If a legal/juridical entity, registration papers of the sponsor.
2.4. If traveling with a local sponsor
(a.) Duly notarized affidavit executed by the local sponsor;
(b.) Substantial proof of relationship;
(c.) Copy of the sponsor’s return ticket consistent with that of the passenger.
B. OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
1. OFWs Departing for the First Time
(a.) OEC, E-receipt, or OFW Clearance duly issued by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) as appearing in the Border Control Information System (BCIS);
(b.) Valid and appropriate employment visa or work permit or any equivalent document;
(c.) Employment contract, as necessary; and
(d.) Visa Usage Undertaking or Manpower Request specifying visa usage approved or verified by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), if applicable.
2. Balik-Manggagawa (BM)
(a.) Valid and appropriate employment visa/work permit or any equivalent document;
(b.) 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; and
(c.) Proof of employment, as necessary.
3. Direct-Hire
(a.) OEC, E-receipt, or valid OFW Clearance; and
(b.) Proper and valid work visa/work permit or any equivalent document.
4. OFWs Requiring Special Travel Exit Clearance in lieu of OEC
(a.) Locally-employed seafarers (conduction crew) who will be manning a Philippine Registered Ship’s conduction from a foreign port to the Philippines;
(b.) Seafarers who will undergo orientation and other analogous circumstances as a requirement before their employment, as the prospective foreign employer prescribes. The foreign employer must be accredited by a licensed local manning agency; and
(c.) Emergency change crew for Philippine registered vessels docked in international ports.
5. OFWs traveling to other countries during their vacation in the Philippines
If the OFW will travel to other country/ies for tourism, but will return to the Philippines before proceeding to his/her jobsite, the OFW shall undergo the usual immigration inspection for tourist travelers under this Guidelines.
If the OFW will travel to other country/ies for tourism, but will proceed directly to his/her job site, a valid OEC will be required.
Legislation
The Philippines has robust immigration legislation and laws against human trafficking, including:
[] Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), as amended by Republic Act No. 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012) and Republic Act No. 11862 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022), and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations;
[] Republic Act No. 8042, (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995), as amended by Republic Act No. 10022;
[] Republic Act No. 11641 (Department of Migrant Workers Act);
[] Republic Act No. 8239 (Philippine Passport Act of 1996); and other related laws and guidelines.
For more details, here’s the link to the revised guidelines published in official Gazette: https://bit.ly/47PqueK
