Manila: Starting Monday, minors who are traveling abroad alone or without their parents can now utilize their travel clearance certificates (TCC) for up to one year from the date of issuance, subject to conditions outlined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
According to Philippines News Agency, any change in the travel destination, companion, or purpose of the child’s travel will still necessitate obtaining a new TCC from the DSWD. This requirement is part of the DSWD’s Memorandum Circular No. 19, S. 2025, which amends the validity period of the TCC and the certificate of exemption (CE) for minors traveling abroad.
Assistant Secretary Ada Colico of the DSWD’s Protective Programs stated, “Recognizing the need to improve service delivery and upon consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Department decided to extend the validity period for the TCC, as long as the child’s travel companion, purpose of travel, and destination country/countries remain the same. This is to ensure that children will be safe from child trafficking and exploitation.”
A travel clearance is mandatory for minors or individuals below 18 years old traveling outside the Philippines who are not accompanied by any of their parents or persons having parental responsibility or legal custody over the child. Applications for TCC and CE can be conveniently processed through the DSWD’s Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) online system or via the eGov PH mobile application.
The CE for minors traveling outside the country no longer expires and can be used multiple times under the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Guidelines on Departure Formalities, provided the child is accompanied by their biological father with sole parental authority or legal custody, substitute parents if the minor is an orphan, or nearest maternal kin if the minor is an orphan of unmarried parents.
“For minors traveling with their legal guardian, the CE is valid within one year from issuance,” Colico noted. A legitimate child traveling abroad with either biological parent or adoptive parents, supported by an adoption decree and Certificate of Finality, is exempt from securing a travel clearance.
Colico urged the public to apply for the TCC at least one week in advance, particularly during the holiday season when application volumes are high. She also emphasized the importance of providing accurate information to avoid delays in foreign travel.