Travel Tips: Requirements for Filipino minors traveling abroad without his/her parents.

Photo from moms.popsugar.com

All information is from the Department of Social Welfare and Development - Philippines (as of July 2013)

Requirements for Filipino Minors traveling abroad:

 1.      For Minors Traveling Alone to a Foreign Country for the First Time

•  Duly accomplished application form.
•  A photocopy of the birth certificate or passport of the minor.
•  A written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel alone to a foreign country.
•  As appropriate, a photocopy of the marriage certificate of the minor’s parents or a photocopy of the certificate of legal guardianship of the minor or in the case of solo parents, a photocopy of the solo parent identification card from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office or a photocopy of a certification from the Social Welfare and Development Office of being a solo parent or Tallaq or Fasakh certification from the Shariah court or any Muslim Barangay or religious leader or in the case of an illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage from the local civil registrar, or in the case of a deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate.
•  Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last six months.

• 
  

2.      For Minor Traveling Alone to Another Country Subsequently;

•  Duly accomplished application form.
•  A written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel alone to a foreign country.
•  A photocopy of the previous travel clearance or as required in 2.1.2 and 2.1.4.
•  Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last six months.

3.      For minor Traveling for the First Time with a Person Other Than Parents or Legal Guardian

•  Duly accomplished application form.
•  A photocopy of the birth certificate or passport of the minor.
•  A written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel to a foreign country with a specific person other than them.
•  As appropriate, a photocopy of the marriage certificate of the minor’s parents or a certificate of legal guardianship of the minor or in the case of solo parents, a solo parent identification card from the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office or certification from the local Social Welfare and Development Office of being a solo parent or a court decree of separation annulment or divorce, or Tallaq, or Fasakh certification from the Shariah Court or any Muslim barangay or religious leader or in the case of an illegitimate minor, a certification of new marriage from the local civil registrar or in the case of deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate.
•  Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last six (6) months.
•  Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion.
• 
  

4.      For Minor Traveling Subsequently with a Person other than the Parents or Legal Guardian

•  Duly accomplished application form
•  A written consent if both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel to a foreign country with a specific person other them
•  A photocopy of the previous travel clearance or as required in 2.3.2 and 2.3.4
•  Two (2) colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last six (6) months
•  Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion

Processing times vary on a case to case basis. Kindly ask the DSWD officers in charge regarding this.

You may also call the DSWD at (+632) 931-81-01 to 07 for more information.

Read More

Visas for Filipinos : Schengen Visa Requirements for Filipinos: Information and Tips

A Schengen Visa is required for Filipinos who want to travel to countries under the Schengen agreement in Europe. The agreement guarantees free movement across their respective countries. This means that "Any person, irrespective of nationality, may cross the internal borders without being subjected to border checks. However, the competent national authorities can carry out police checks also at the internal borders and in border areas, provided that such checks are not equivalent to border checks." 

When planning your European vacation, check whether your destination is included in the following list, and prepare your documents accordingly.

List of Schengen Countries:

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Czech Republic
4. Denmark
5. Estonia
6. Finland
7. France
8. Germany
9. Greece
10. Hungary
11. Iceland
12. Italy
13. Latvia
14. Lithuania
15. Luxembourg
16. Malta
17. Netherlands
18. Norway
19. Poland
20. Portugal
21. Slovakia
22. Slovenia
23. Spain
24. Sweden
25. Switzerland

Below is a list of requirements for the Schengen Visa for Filipinos (Tourist Visa) :(Info taken from the Netherlands Embassy - Phil)

List of required documentsA Schengen visa issued by an Embassy or Consulate of one of the Schengen countries allows the holder to travel freely in these countries. However, please note that a holder of a Schengen visa is still subject to immigration control and that entry into any of the Schengen countries is not necessarily guaranteed; a visa in itself is not a right to enter a country. Applications have to be submitted well in advance as processing the application takes a minimum of 14 calendar days for Philippine national passportholders.The visa application procedure can be started 3 months prior to your departure date.Requirements to apply for a Schengen Visa when applying at the Netherlands embassy in Manila or at the Honorary Consulate in Cebu.
Purpose of Tourism:

• A passport, valid until at least three months after completion of the intended journey.

• One fully, correctly and clearly completed application form, duly dated and signed.

• Two recent* passport-size (3.5 by 4.5 cm) photograph, against light (e.g. white) background.

• All previous passports.

• Non-Philippine citizens have to present: Philippine visa or residence permit + registration valid 3 months after scheduled return.

• For employees: An original letter from your employer or company, approving your leave of absence. Proof of employment: a recent employer’s’ statement that should mention salary, date of entry and duration of absence.

• For private businessmen: a photocopy of SEC or DTI business registration of your company, Mayor’s business permit + tax-paying certificate "ITR" and a photo copy of your bank statements of the last three months.

• For students: registration from a school or university and if travelling during study period, certificate from school or university with permission of absence.

• For minors travelling without both parents: DSWD Travel Clearance.

• For unemployed or retired citizens: a photo copy of your bank statements of the last three months.

• A flight-reservation upon submission of your application. Do not purchase your ticket before your visa application has been approved!

• Confirmed hotel reservation for the whole travel period, including all other countries that you are going to visit, to be faxed by the hotel directly to the embassy (fax no +63 2 7866644).

• Travelinsurance for the whole duration of stay.

• Income of applicant: As available means an applicant should have €34,-- per day to spent when he or she will provide own expenses for the trip

Mandatory Schengen Travel Insurance: In March 2004 the EU Council in Brussels decided to implement as of June 1st, 2004 a mandatory travel insurance as a precondition for visa issuing. In principle this means that a visa applicant has to submit, together with his visa application for a short stay in the Schengen member states, proof of a valid personal or collective travel insurance covering expenses for repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical care and/or urgent medical treatment in a hospital. The minimum value of the mandatory travel policy is determined at Euro 30,000.-*recent= not older than three months

VISA APPLICATION TIPS:

1. Prepare your documents and arrange them according to their order on the requirements list. (esp. France)
2. Photocopy all original documents prior to your appointment.
3. Don't Panic.
4. Be prepared.
5. Look the part. Don't overdress and don't underdress. It's best to wear simple, classy clothes. 
6. Apply for a Visa at the embassy of your main destination - where you'll stay the longest.

Read More

Visas for Filipinos: US Visa Requirements for Filipinos

Photo Credit: iStockphoto

Below are information regarding US VISA requirements for Filipinos from the US embassy website:

Most frequently applied for type of US VISA in the Philippines: 

"The vast majority of nonimmigrant visa applications received at the U.S. Embassy in Manila are for tourism or business travel.

B-1 visas are for business, including such things as a need to consult with business associates, negotiate a contract, buy goods or materials, settle an estate, appear in a court trial, and participate in business or professional conventions or conferences; or, where an applicant will be traveling to the United States on behalf of a foreign employer for training or meetings. The individual may not receive payment (except for incidental expenses) from a United States source while on a B-1 visa. 

B-2 visas are issued for general pleasure/tourist travel, such as touring, visits to friends and relatives, visits for rest or medical treatment, social or fraternal conventions and conferences, and amateur/unpaid participants in cultural or sports events.

In most instances, consuls will issue a combined B-1/B-2 visa, recognizing that most business travelers may also wish to travel for tourist purposes."

-----


What are the documents  that I need to prepare for my US Visa?

 US Visa Requirements for Filipinos

All basic documentary requirements must be ready BEFORE an appointment can be made. Additional documents may be required, so please read the information below carefully.

The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit does not accept documents BEFORE the interview except for Treaty Trader (E1) and Treaty Investor (E2) visa applications. Any documents received will not be returned and will be destroyed (except the passport).

Basic Requirements:

1.  DS-160 ONLINE NONIMMIGRANT VISA ELECTRONIC APPLICATION – All applicants must complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. Applicants can access the DS-160 from the Consular Electronic Application Center website.

In order to avoid delays in processing visa applications, visa applicants or their representatives must ensure that the following information is correctly provided: Applicant’s Complete Name (required format is Surname, First Name(s), Middle Name), Applicant’s Passport Information (the passport used in filling out the form must be the same passport presented on the day of the interview), Other Names (for married female applicants, type your complete maiden name), Purpose of Trip (if the answer falls under “Other,” specify the purpose of travel in the blank provided), Primary Occupation (if the answer falls under “Other,” specify the occupation in the blank provided), Contact Person and Contact Address in the United States, Father’s Complete Name,and Mother’s Complete Maiden Name.

2.  PASSPORT – Signed passports must be valid for at least six monthsfrom the date of intended departure from the United States. The passport must be in good condition, i.e., photo lamination is undamaged, and all passport pages are intact.

Applicants must also present all previously issued passports or notarized affidavits of loss, if applicable.

Taiwanese passport holders who do not have Taiwan personal identification numbers listed above the date of birth on the biographic data page in their passports must present their original Philippine residency permit.

3.  PHOTO

One 2" x 2" standard photo.  The photo must be:

• In color
• Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50% and 69% of the image's total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement details.
• Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
• Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
• Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
• With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
• Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis
  • Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily.
  • Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
  • Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
  • If you normally wear glasses (without tinted lenses), a hearing device, or similar articles, they may be worn in your photo.
  • Dark glasses or glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable.
  • Glare on glasses is not acceptable in your photo. Glare can be avoided with a slight downward tilt of the glasses or by removing the glasses or by turning off the camera flash.

Please click here for additional information on photo specifications.

Please ensure that your photo meets the requirements stated above.  Failure to provide the correct photo will delay your visa processing.

4.  EXTENSION OF STAY/CHANGE OF STATUS – Please bring copies of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approvals of extension of stay or change of status, if applicable.

5.  PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP (if applying with/for dependent/s)

• Original marriage certificate printed on Philippine National Statistics Office security paper, if applicable (if applying with a spouse and/or child)
• Original birth certificate printed on Philippine National Statistics Office security paper (for dependent/s)

Read More