NEW GUIDELINES FOR INTERNATIONAL BOUND FILIPINO PASSENGERS

IMMIGRATION

Mr. Jessie Icao, BA, LLB, SAB

8/28/20231 min read

Are you a Filipino citizen travelling to Australia as a tourist? Starting 3 September 2023, immigration officers in the Philippines will require additional documents.

If invited by a relative:

(i) Original birth certificate issued by PSA of the passenger and sponsor and marriage certificate if applicable, to establish being a relative (brother, sister, parent, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, or grandparent).

(ii) Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee by the sponsor duly notarised by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate which details the relationship of the sponsor and the passenger; purpose of travel; duration of stay; financial capacity and address and contact number of the sponsor and undertaking that the sponsored passenger will return to the Philippines upon completion of the visit.

If invited by a non-relative:

(i) Relationship of the sponsor and passenger.

(ii) Original Affidavit of Support and Guarantee by the sponsor notarized by the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate which provides reason of the visit including financial capacity of the sponsor; Australian passport or Philippine passport with visa grant; address; return ticket; contact number of the sponsor and undertaking that the applicant will return to the Philippines on completion of the trip.

Self-funded tourist:

(i) Round trip ticket.

(ii) Proof of hotel booking accommodation.

(iii) Financial capacity or evidence of bank deposit.

(iv) Proof of employment.

The law office of Jessie Icao (0412269439) can draft an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee to comply with the requirements. [For complete information, please refer to the Philippines 2023 Revised Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Guidelines on Departure Formalities for International-Bound Filipino Passengers]

ANNOUNCEMENT

30 August 2023

The Philippines Department of Justice has suspended the 2023 implementation of additional guidelines for departing tourist due to concern of some Philippine senators and the public that the new guidelines violate the rights of Filipinos to travel and freedom of movement.