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Reviewed February 2024

Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, the Philippines is known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality, while amid changing times, the country has introduced fresh travel rules. These regulations apply not only to Filipino citizens returning for vacations but also to all travelers, regardless of the purpose of their trip or whether they are self-funded or sponsored by relatives working abroad.

Please note that the implementation of new travel rules for Filipinos flying out of the country has been temporarily suspended, following a public outcry, as confirmed by the Philippines’ Department of Justice (DoJ).

Keep reading as Wego examines the Philippines’ latest travel regulations and provides crucial insights.

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Philippine new travel rules latest news

In the latest news, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has voiced concerns over specific requirements being deemed “prohibitive.” One prominent example the Senator cites is the affidavit of support and guarantee that Filipinos must provide when visiting relatives abroad.

Following a considerable public outcry, the Department of Justice (DoJ) in the Philippines has taken action. They have decided to temporarily suspend the implementation of the revised travel guidelines for Filipinos departing the country. This suspension, as reported by local media, comes just before the rules were set to be enforced on 3 September 2023.

In an official statement released by the DoJ, they clarified that these revisions were not intended to burden the general public but to enhance the overall travel experience for departing passengers. The DoJ reassured the public that these updated guidelines aimed to balance national security and facilitate smooth and efficient travel.

This suspension follows the submission of two resolutions by senators seeking to block the implementation of the rules. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s critique of the requirements sheds light on Filipinos’ challenges, especially the need for the authorized affidavit of support and guarantee when visiting relatives abroad.

The DoJ’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) had previously outlined multiple lists of required documents for travelers, including Filipino expatriates returning home for vacations. Shortly after the rules were initially announced, and in response to the uproar they caused, the DoJ clarified that the revised guidelines were intended to clarify existing rules and also issued an apology.

Philippines new travel rules 2024

Supposedly starting from 3 September 2023, Filipinos living abroad who want to visit their home country for vacation will see changes in the requirements for their travel plans.

The Philippine Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking has introduced new travel rules to stop illegal recruitment and deal with the problem of human trafficking.

These new travel regulations have a broader impact, affecting not only Filipino expatriates returning home but also other travelers. The rules apply to both self-funded journeys and trips sponsored by relatives working overseas, targeting even tourists who receive financial support from abroad.

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Required documents

These are the general travel papers applicable to everyone, as outlined in an advisory released by IACAT on 24 August 2023:

passport with a validity of at least six (6) months from the departure date
valid visa, if applicable
boarding pass
confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, if necessary

Requirements for OFWs

Overseas Filipino workers currently fulfilling their employment contracts, known as Balik-Manggagawa, must fulfill the following set of requirements:

passport with a validity of at least six (6) months from the departure date
valid employment visa, work permit, or equivalent document
boarding pass
confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, if required
OFW Clearance or OEC
proof of employment, if needed (this includes evidence of ongoing employment with the present employer being returned to, such as a current certificate of employment, valid company ID, or recent pay slip)

Requirements for OFWs’ family members

Even tourists and visitors receiving sponsorship from Filipinos residing overseas will be required to provide additional documentation.

When the overseas sponsor is a relative within the passenger’s first (1st) civil degree, the following requisites apply:

passport with a validity of at least six (6) months from the departure date
valid visa, if necessary
boarding pass
confirmed return or roundtrip ticket
proof of first (1st) civil degree relationship, such as the Original PSA-issued birth certificate/report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage
copies of the following documents from the sponsor:
- passport
- work visa/permit, residence permit, or any equivalent document
- OEC, E-receipt, or OFW Clearance for OFW sponsors

Relationships classified as first-civil degree relationships include parents, children, and spouses. Travel is considered sponsored when someone other than the traveler provides financial support for any aspect, such as airfare, hotel reservations or accommodations, and daily spending.

Should the sponsor be a relative up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity (such as cousins, brothers-in-law, mother-in-law, etc.), supplementary supporting documents are mandatory:

original affidavit of support and guarantee (AOSG) notarized and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate
original PSA-issued birth certificate/report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage indicating the specific relationship between the passenger and the sponsor

Requirements for tourists on self-funded trips

For tourists on self-funded journeys, the established requirements of a valid passport, visa, and confirmed return ticket guarantee a seamless and well-prepared travel experience.

a passport that’s valid for a minimum of six (6) months from your departure date
a valid visa, if the destination requires one
your boarding pass.
a confirmed return or roundtrip ticket
proof of hotel booking or accommodation
enough financial means or income source that aligns with your stated travel purpose
documents that confirm your employment and other related records.