IACAT Implements New Rules Starting Sept 3: More Documents Required for Going Abroad
Filipinos traveling abroad will soon have to comply with stricter regulations and provide additional documentary requirements. The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) is set to implement its revised guidelines for the departure of Filipinos traveling overseas starting September 3. The IACAT revised the departure protocols during the 58th Regular Council Meeting to combat human trafficking.
According to the IACAT, the revised guidelines were formulated not to encroach upon the fundamental right to travel, but to serve as a protective bulwark shielding Filipinos from the dire perils of human trafficking. Basic travel documents now consist of a passport valid for at least six months from the date of departure, an appropriate valid visa (whenever required), a boarding pass, and a confirmed return or roundtrip ticket when necessary. Additionally, the immigration office may require the traveler to answer clarificatory questions and provide supporting documents.
Based on the revised guidelines, basic travel documents now consist of the following:
- Passport, valid at least six months from the date of departure;
- Appropriate valid visa, whenever required;
- Boarding pass;
- Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, when necessary
The IO may not only inspect your basic travel documents but they may also ask you some clarifying questions. They may also require you to provide additional supporting documents to ensure everything is in order.
For Tourists:
Tourists traveling abroad must provide specific documents to comply with the government’s revised guidelines. The required documents depend on whether the travel is self-funded or sponsored. For self-funded tourists, the following documents are necessary:
- Confirmed return or roundtrip 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
For sponsored travels, the documents required depend on the relationship between the passenger and the sponsor abroad. If the sponsor is a relative within the first (1st) civil degree, the passenger must provide the following documents:
- 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
- Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket
- Copies of the following documents of sponsor: Valid passport; Valid work visa/permit, residence permit, or any equivalent document; Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), E-receipt, or OFW Clearance, for OFW sponsors
If the sponsor is a relative up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, the passenger must provide the following documents:
- Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG) duly notarized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate authorized to perform notarization services or 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)
- Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket
- Original PSA-issued birth certificate/report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage showing the exact relationship between the passenger and the sponsor
If the sponsor is a non-relative or a legal/juridical entity, the passenger must provide the following documents:
- Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG) duly notarized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate authorized to perform notarization services or 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)
- Substantial proof of relationship
- Confirmed return or roundtrip ticket
- If a legal/juridical entity, registration papers of the sponsor
If traveling with a local sponsor, the passenger must provide the following documents:
- Duly notarized affidavit executed by the local sponsor
- Substantial proof of relationship
- Copy of the sponsor’s return ticket consistent with that of the passenger
It is essential to note that the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the country. Additionally, tourists must present their boarding pass and visa (if required by the destination country).
For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
OFWs are required to prepare additional documents when departing from the Philippines. The required documents depend on the purpose of travel, such as whether it is the first time departing for work, a return trip, or a direct-hire.
For OFWs departing for the first time, they must present the following:
- Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)
- E-receipt, or OFW Clearance issued by the Department of Migrant Workers (MW) as appearing in the Border Control Information System (BCIS).
- They must also have a valid and appropriate employment visa or work permit, employment contract, and a Visa Usage Undertaking or Manpower Request specifying visa usage approved or verified by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), if applicable.
For Balik-Manggagawa (returning OFWs), they must have the following:
- a valid and appropriate employment visa/work permit or any equivalent document,
- an 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 proof of employment, as necessary.
For direct-hire OFWs:
- they need to present an OEC,
- E-receipt, or valid OFW Clearance,
- a proper and valid work visa/work permit or any equivalent document.
For OFWs requiring special travel exit clearance in lieu of OEC, such as locally employed seafarers (conduction crew) who will be manning a Philippine Registered Ship’s conduction from a foreign port to the Philippines, seafarers who will undergo orientation and other analogous circumstances as a requirement before their employment, as the prospective foreign employer prescribes, or emergency change crew for Philippine registered vessels docked in international ports, specific requirements apply.
If an OFW will travel to other countries during their vacation in the Philippines, the required documents depend on whether they will return to the Philippines before proceeding to their jobsite or proceed directly to their job site. If the OFW will travel to other country/ies for tourism but will return to the Philippines before proceeding to their jobsite, they shall undergo the usual immigration inspection for tourist travelers under the guidelines. If the OFW will travel to other country/ies for tourism but will proceed directly to their job site, a valid OEC will be required.
In cases where an OFW has incomplete or questionable documents, the IO shall promptly endorse the passenger to the DMW-MWAAC to validate employment documents, update employment records, issuance of clearance, or other appropriate action. The IO shall provide the passenger with a validation request form. Upon validation by the DMW-MWAAC, the passenger shall be directed back to the IO for the completion of the immigration inspection.
Inspection
The inspection process for Filipinos traveling abroad has become stricter, with revised guidelines implemented by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) starting September 3, 2023. The primary inspection will be conducted to check if the passengers have presented fraudulent, falsified, or tampered travel or supporting documents. If any passenger refuses to undergo primary inspection, the IO will defer their departure.
For secondary inspection, the IO will refer passengers who failed to establish their purpose of travel during primary inspection, those with inconsistent or insufficient travel or supporting documents, and those unable to show proof of financial capacity to travel and are accompanied by a foreign national who is not a relative by consanguinity or affinity up to the fourth civil degree. The IO will also refer passengers traveling, with or without a visa, to countries under Alert Level 3 or 4 and those with relevant deployment bans.
Passengers who previously stayed abroad for over six months as a tourist or previously misrepresented any travel information and are intending to travel again for the same purpose, those with active deferred-departure records, and those identified and reported by the IACAT Anti-Trafficking Task Force or other government agencies as a potentially trafficked or illegally recruited person or a suspected trafficker or illegal recruiter will also be referred for secondary inspection.
During the inspection, the secondary IO will consider the totality of the circumstances of the passenger which includes, but is not limited to, the purpose of travel, country/ies of destination, duration of stay, travel history, age, financial capacity or source of income consistent with the passenger’s declared purpose of travel, and educational background.
The secondary IO will defer the departure of the passenger upon a finding of any of the following grounds: refusal to undergo secondary inspection, doubtful purpose of travel, inconsistent or insufficient travel or supporting documents, misrepresentation or withholding of material information about travel, presentation of fraudulent, falsified, or tampered travel or supporting documents, non-compliance with previous deferred-departure requirements, and passenger is a potentially trafficked or illegally recruited person, or a suspected trafficker or illegal recruiter.
Overall, the revised guidelines aim to combat human trafficking and ensure that Filipinos traveling abroad have valid and legitimate reasons for their travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new documents required for traveling abroad starting September 3rd?
Starting September 3rd, travelers need to provide additional documents to travel abroad. The new documents required for traveling abroad include a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the country, a boarding pass, a confirmed return or round-trip ticket, and a visa if required by the destination country. Self-funded tourists may need to show additional documents.
What are the new rules to follow for traveling abroad starting September 3rd?
In addition to the new document requirements, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) has issued new rules to follow when traveling abroad starting September 3rd. Travelers must register with the eTravel registration system as mandated by IATF Resolution No. 135 dated 26 August 2021. They must also comply with the entry, quarantine, and testing requirements of inbound travelers to the Philippines as per IATF Resolution No. 2 (s. 2022).
What are the updated requirements for COVID-19 testing and vaccination for traveling abroad starting September 3rd?
The updated requirements for COVID-19 testing and vaccination for traveling abroad starting September 3rd depend on the destination country. Travelers must check the requirements of the destination country before traveling. Some countries require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, while others require a negative COVID-19 test result. Travelers may also be required to undergo quarantine upon arrival.
Where can I find more information about the new rules and requirements for traveling abroad starting September 3rd?
Travelers can find more information about the new rules and requirements for traveling abroad starting September 3rd on the official website of the eTravel registration system. They can also check with the concerned government authority for the latest travel protocols and requirements.
Do I need to show my College Yearbook to the Immigration Officer?
No, travelers do not need to show their College Yearbook to the Immigration Officer. The new document requirements for traveling abroad starting September 3rd are limited to a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the country, a boarding pass, a confirmed return or round-trip ticket, and a visa if required by the destination country. However, depending on your purpose for overseas travel, the immigration officer may ask you for other documents, which we enumerated above.
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