Even though an 18-year-old is legally an adult, Philippine Immigration Officers (IOs) at NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) and other international airports have the discretion to conduct secondary inspections. Why? Because human traffickers often use young adults (18-20 years old) who "look" vulnerable or are unaware of their rights.
: If traveling to a country that requires a visa for Filipino citizens (e.g., Japan, South Korea, USA, Schengen Area). Even though an 18-year-old is legally an adult,
. Once an individual reaches their 18th birthday, they are considered to have reached the age of majority and are no longer subject to DSWD travel regulations for minors. Department of Foreign Affairs : If traveling to a country that requires
A: He does not need a DSWD certificate, but the Canadian embassy may require an Affidavit of Support from you for his visa application. Philippine immigration only wants his valid visa and ticket. Department of Foreign Affairs A: He does not
Even though an 18-year-old doesn't need this, many parents of 16- and 17-year-olds will need this guide. The process is now 100% online via the .
If you are planning an international trip for a child under 18, securing the mandatory DSWD Travel Clearance or a Certificate of Exemption is a crucial step to prevent any delays at Philippine immigration.