The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday, April 25 urged parents and guardians to apply for travel clearances for minors planning to travel abroad, as the agency faces increased requests during the summer break.
In a statement, DSWD Assistant Secretary Ada Colico, who oversees the agency’s protective programs, advised that travel clearance applications must be filed at least 30 days before departure to ensure smooth processing and avoid delays.
A travel clearance is required for minors under 18 years old traveling internationally without either of their biological parents or legal guardians as part of the government’s efforts to prevent child trafficking and protect vulnerable minors.
For special cases, such as children traveling with one parent or with a legal guardian due to the death of both parents, the DSWD issues certificates of exemption.
Colico also pointed out the convenience of the DSWD’s online Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) portal, which was launched in February.
The online platform allows applicants to submit their requests anytime, as long as they have internet access.
However, Colico stressed that timely submission is still essential.
“If a minor does not have a travel clearance, they may be offloaded by the Bureau of Immigration, as it is a required document for international travel,” she said.