Minors Traveling Alone w/ Immigrant Visa - Philippines

[jhunjhun 7]

Hi guys, I would like to know if minors below 18 of age(14 and 16) are require to secure a travel clearance from DSWD before flying to USA? I called the Philippine airlines and they said that they required minors to present clearance to travel and both notarized letter from parents allowing minors to travel alone. My problem is, the DSWD clearance to travel. Before PDOS, my in-law went to DSWD office to obtain the clearance, but he was told that minors are not require to secure a clearance to travel abroad since they have an immigrant visa, which they have. So they went to attend their PDOS in Manila and they have no problem with it, so they were given a PDOS sticker in their passport. Again, I called PAL several times, and they keep saying that they need a clearance to travel from DSWD and I keep telling them that DSWD said that they don't need a clearance to travel abroad since they have an immigrant visa. I guessed, Philippine airlines is not informed about this type of issue because they keep saying that per PAL they need a clearance to travel for minors. I don't know what to do. I already booked their flights and they're flying this Saturday. Any experience?

Any suggestion will be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Hank_ 9,174]

PAL is latching on to the statement without looking at the exceptions, DSWD is looking at item 3 in the second section.

http://www.dswd.gov.ph/faqs/travel-clearance-for-minors/

A travel clearance is a document issued by the DSWD to a Filipino child (below 18 years of age) traveling abroad alone or with someone other than his/her parents.

WHO NEEDS A TRAVEL CLEARANCE?

• A minor traveling alone to a foreign country ;
• A minor traveling to a foreign country accompanied by a person other than his or her parents.

WHO DOES NOT NEED TRAVEL CLEARANCE?

• All minors other than those cited above, for example:
• A minor traveling to a foreign country with either parent or with his or her solo parent or legal guardian;
• A minor traveling abroad whose parents are in the Foreign Service or living abroad or are immigrants, provided he/she is holding a valid pass such as a dependents visa/pass/identification card or permanent resident visa/pass/identification card which serves as proof that he/she is living with parents abroad and their travel does not constitute child trafficking.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Hank_

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Go to the link that Hank provided and print the page that Hank is referring to. Bring that web page with you and put with the minor's paperwork in the event it is needed.

Each person at PAL is different and most do not know the law. If you have problems at the desk, ask for a supervisor. At this late date, that's all you can do.

My Wife traveled to USA in Dec with her 11 year old son and was not asked for any Travel Clearance, which we had heard that some ask for the document when a Single Parent is traveling. We had the Travel Clearance Rules from DSWD to present if needed.

Don't present or discuss with PAL the document UNLESS asked for. As they say "let sleeping dogs lay".

[bhug 0]

Hi there , just a follow up on this post, where your kids able to travel without the travel clearance? My daughter (13) will be travel alone as well and i was told by PAL that we don't need the travel clearance. Please let me know how it goes with your experience. very much appreciated.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Hi guys, I would like to know if minors below 18 of age(14 and 16) are require to secure a travel clearance from DSWD before flying to USA? I called the Philippine airlines and they said that they required minors to present clearance to travel and both notarized letter from parents allowing minors to travel alone. My problem is, the DSWD clearance to travel. Before PDOS, my in-law went to DSWD office to obtain the clearance, but he was told that minors are not require to secure a clearance to travel abroad since they have an immigrant visa, which they have. So they went to attend their PDOS in Manila and they have no problem with it, so they were given a PDOS sticker in their passport. Again, I called PAL several times, and they keep saying that they need a clearance to travel from DSWD and I keep telling them that DSWD said that they don't need a clearance to travel abroad since they have an immigrant visa. I guessed, Philippine airlines is not informed about this type of issue because they keep saying that per PAL they need a clearance to travel for minors. I don't know what to do. I already booked their flights and they're flying this Saturday. Any experience?

Any suggestion will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Can you provide an update to how things worked out for the flight for your minor? Did he fly with no problems? Did PAL have any issues? Thanks.