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Philippines announces new travel rules: OFWs may need more documents when going on vacation from September 3

Other travellers — including those sponsored by Filipinos who are living and working abroad — will also have to present additional requirements

Published: Thu 24 Aug 2023, 12:49 PM

Updated: Mon 11 Dec 2023, 1:02 PM

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[Editor's Note: An update to this story is available here, in which the government issued an apology and a clarification after the news sparked an uproar among OFWs.]

Starting September 3, Filipino expats who are flying home on holiday will have to secure and prepare more documents as the government enforces new travel rules.

The Philippines' Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) on Thursday listed the new travel requirements — in a bid to curb illegal recruitment and fight the "menace of human trafficking".

Besides Filipino expats who are returning home for vacation, the new departure rules apply to all travellers, from those funding their own trips to tourists who are being sponsored by relatives who are living and working abroad.

Here are the basic travel documents for all, as stated in an advisory published by Iacat on Thursday:

  • Passport, valid at least six (6) months from the date of departure
  • Valid visa, if required
  • Boarding pass
  • Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, if necessary

Requirements for OFWs

For "Balik-Manggagawa" — or overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are currently serving their employment contract — here are the requirements:

  • Passport, valid at least six (6) months from the date of departure
  • Valid employment visa or work permit or any equivalent document
  • Boarding pass
  • Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, if necessary
  • OFW Clearance, or OEC
  • Proof of employment, if necessary (This refers to any proof of existing employment with the current employer to which the worker is resuming employment such as current certificate of employment, valid company ID, or recent pay slip.)

Requirements for OFWs' family members

Tourists and visitors who are being sponsored by Filipinos living abroad will have to prepare more documents, too.

If the sponsor abroad is a relative within the first (1st) civil degree of the passenger, here are the requirements:

  • Passport, valid at least six (6) months from the date of departure
  • Valid visa, if required
  • Boarding pass
  • Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket
  • Proof of first (1st) civil degree relationship such as Original PSA-issued birth certificate/report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage
  • Copies of the following documents of sponsor, such as:
  • Passport
  • Work visa/permit, residence permit, or any equivalent document
  • OEC, E-receipt, or OFW Clearance, for OFW sponsors.

First civil degree relationships refer to parents, children, and spouse. Travel is considered sponsored if any part of it is funded by a person other than the passenger, such as airfare, hotel bookings/accommodation, daily expenses.

If the sponsor, however, is a relative up to fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity (cousin, brother-in-law, mother-in-law, etc), additional supporting documents are required:

  • Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG) that is notarised and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate/ Honorary Consulate.
  • Original PSA-issued birth certificate / report of birth or marriage certificate / report of marriage showing the exact relationship between the passenger and the sponsor

For tourists on self-funded trips

  • Passport, valid at least six (6) months from the date of departure
  • Valid visa, if required
  • Boarding pass
  • Confirmed return or round-trip ticket
  • Proof of hotel booking/accommodation
  • Financial capacity or source of income consistent with the passenger's declared purpose of travel
  • Proof of employment and other equivalent documents

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