Starting Monday (Oct.13), minors going abroad alone or without their parents can use their travel clearance certificates (TCC) for one year from date of issuance, subject to certain conditions stipulated in a memorandum circular issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
DSWD assistant secretary Ada Colico for protective programs said any changes in the travel destination, companion, or purpose of the child’s travel will still require applicants to secure a new TCC from the DSWD.
This was spelled out in the DSWD’s Memorandum Circular 19, S. 2025, which amended the validity period of the TCC and the certificate of exemption (CE) for minors traveling abroad.
“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,” Colico said.
A travel clearance is required for minors or individuals below 18 years old traveling overseas without either of their parents or persons having parental responsibility or legal custody over the child.
Applications for TCC and CE can be done online through the DSWD’s Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) digital platform.
The CE of minors traveling outside the country no longer has an expiration and may be used multiple times by the holder under the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Guidelines on Departure Formalities, provided that the child is traveling with their biological father with sole parental authority or legal custody (if parents are not married); substitute parents (grandparents or nearest kin) if the minor is an orphan of married parents; or, substitute parents 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 date of issuance.
A legitimate child traveling abroad with either biological parent is not required to secure a travel clearance.
Similarly, a child traveling with adoptive parents, supported by an adoption decree and Certificate of Finality, is also exempt from applying for a travel clearance.
Colico reminded the public to apply for the TCC at least one week in advance especially during the holiday season when application is at its peak.
The DSWD-Protective Services official also reiterated the necessity of providing accurate information in securing the TCC to avoid delays in their foreign travel.
The processing of TCC and CE can be applied via the MTA Online System at https://mta.dswd.gov.ph/ or via the eGov PH mobile application.
