Under Philippine law (Republic Act No. 11930 and DSWD guidelines), a minor is any person below 18 years of age . Once you turn 18, you are considered an adult. Therefore, an 18‑year‑old does NOT need a DSWD Travel Clearance for international travel.
A DSWD Travel Clearance is required for minors (under 18) traveling abroad or without legal guardianship documents , or when traveling with a non‑parent (e.g., grandparent, aunt, friend) or alone. Under Philippine law (Republic Act No
| Requirement | Needed? | |-------------|----------| | DSWD Travel Clearance | | | Parental consent/affidavit | No (but optional for extra precaution) | | Valid passport | Yes | | Visa (if applicable) | Yes | | Return ticket | Yes (airline policy) | Therefore, an 18‑year‑old does NOT need a DSWD
For those who are still under 18, the requirements vary based on whether they are traveling alone or with a companion. Applications are now primarily processed online via the DSWD MTA portal . Issuance of Travel Clearance for Minors Traveling Abroad | |-------------|----------| | DSWD Travel Clearance | |
However, the confusion arises from two sources: