Revised guidelines for Filipinos traveling overseas released

The government recently released revised guidelines for Filipinos traveling outside the country.

NAIA file photo

Stricter guidelines to fight human trafficking

According to the document shared by ABS-CBN News, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking said that the basic documents for those traveling overseas are:

• Passport valid for six months from departure
• Visa (if applicable)
• Boarding pass
• Confirmed roundtrip ticket (when necessary).

Additional requirements may be asked depending on who or what is the purpose of travel.

For self-funded travel, the following may be asked:

• Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket
• Proof of hotel booking/accommodation
• Financial capacity or source of income
• Proof of employment and other equivalent documents

For sponsored travel, supporting documents may be required depending on who is the sponsor of the travel. As an example, if the sponsor abroad is a relative within the first civil degree of the passenger:

• Original PSA-issued birth certificate/report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage as proof of 1sr civil degree relationship
• Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket
• Copies of the ff documents of the sponsor: valid passport, valid work visa/permit, residence permit or any equivalent document

Additional documents from Overseas Filipino workers may be also required depending if they will depart for the first time, a Balik-Manggagawa, a direct-hire, an OFW requiring special travel exit clearance in lieu of OEC, and an OFW traveling to another country while on vacation in the PH.

For minors, additional documents also depend on who they travel with and if they are subject to adoption.

Read the full list here, which includes additional documents that may be asked from travelers not falling under the previously mentioned categories.

Authorities said all international-bound Filipinos are subjected to primary inspection to establish the purpose of travel.

If the immigration officer is not satisfied, a secondary inspection may be done which should not be longer than 15 minutes.

The Department of Justice said the revised guidelines will be implemented starting September 3.

See also: DOJ suspends implementation of new guidelines for outbound Filipino travelers

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Via: ABS-CBN News