The Travel Clearance Certificate (TCC) is a document issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to a minor traveling abroad unaccompanied by any of the parents or those persons having parental authority and legal custody over the child in a digitized format and applied using the online application system within the Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System (HELPS) platform.

A Certificate of Exemption is an official document issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that exempts a minor from securing a Travel Clearance for Minors (TCM) under certain conditions. It is typically issued when the circumstances of travel do not require a travel clearance, but proof of exemption is still needed for documentation or verification purposes by authorities such as immigration officers.

A Certificate of Exemption may be issued if the minor’s situation meets any of the following:

1. Minor traveling with both biological parents — whether married or not, provided both are present during travel.
2. Minor traveling with either parent who has sole or legal custody (supported by a court order).
3. Minor traveling abroad for adoption, migration, or medical reasons and already covered by appropriate government clearances or permits.
4. Minor who is a dual citizen traveling with either or both parents.

STEP-BY-STEP Process of Application

1. Visit the official DSWD MTA website: https://mta.dswd.gov.ph/
2. Check the requirements:
   
   1. Click “FAQs” on the upper right of the homepage.
   2. Review the list of requirements applicable to the minor’s specific travel situation.
3. Create an account:
   
   1. Return to the homepage and select “Create an Account.”
   2. Fill out the applicant information.
   3. Ensure that the applicant is one of the following:
      
      • Parents, solo parents, or legal guardians
      • Substitute parents
      • Parent with sole custody (by court order)
      • Authorized companion with written consent from parent/guardian
4. Email Verification:
   1. A 4-digit One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to your registered email address
   2. Enter the OTP to complete your account setup
5. Proceed with your application:
   1. After registration, select either “Continue Application” or “Go to Account.”
   2. If you choose “Continue Application,” select the application type — Travel Clearance Certificate (TCC) or Certificate of Exemption (CE).
6. Fill out the application form:
   1. Provide accurate information and upload the required documents.
   2. Double-check all details before proceeding to the next section to avoid errors or delays.

Reminder: Incorrect applicant details may result in disapproval of the application.

a. A minor accompanied by the following:

1. Either or both of the minor’s parents, if the minor is legitimate.
2. The minor’s biological mother, if the minor is illegitimate.
3. The minor’s adoptive parent/s, if the minor is granted an Adoption Decree and Certificate of Finality.

b. A minor who is a holder of any of the following, in which case the exception shall apply without regard to the accompanying adult:

1. Valid passport issued by a foreign government
2. Valid immigrant visa issued by a foreign government;
3. Permanent Resident Card/Visa issued by a foreign government
4. Dependent visa holder of a parent working abroad - or
5. Dependent visa as a child of a foreign service worker, such as an Ambassador/Consul General/Attaché

A Certificate of Exemption may be issued if the minor's situation meets any of the following:

1. If the parents are not married and the minor is traveling with the biological father, who has sole parental authority or legal custody over the minor.
2. When the traveling companion is the legal guardian
3. Orphans of married parents and traveling with the substitute parent/s (grandparent or nearest kin)
4. Orphans of non-married parents and traveling with the substitute parent/s or nearest kin on the maternal side.

1. Parents, solo parents, or legal guardians
2. Substitute parents
3. Parent with sole custody (by court order)
4. Authorized companion with written consent from parent/guardian

1. PSA QR-coded Birth Certificate of the minor
2. PSA QR-coded Marriage Certificate of parents or
3. Court Decision on Legal Guardianship / Solo Parent ID (if applicable)
4. Affidavit of Support and proof of sponsor’s financial capacity (any of the following):
   1. Certificate of Employment
   2. Latest Income Tax Return (ITR)
   3. Bank Statement
5. PSA QR-coded Death Certificate (if one or both parents are deceased)
6. Recent colored photo (passport-size) of the minor (white background, taken within 6 months)
7. Valid ID/Passport of parents (with signature)

• Passport of the minor (if available), if no QR-coded Birth Certificate of the minor (Please affix signature if minor is 13 years old and above and leave it blank if minor is below 13 years old)

1. QR-coded Birth Certificate of a minor from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
2. QR-coded Marriage Certificate of the minor’s parents or a Court Order on Legal Guardianship, Solo Parent ID, if applicable.
3. Valid ID/Passport of parents (with signature).
4. Colored (passport-size) photo of the minor (in white background) taken within six (6) months.
5. Passport of the traveling companion.
6. If family friend/foreign companion, passport bio-page and visa/Alien Certificate of Registration ID (ACR i-card).
7. Notarized oath of undertaking (if non-relative).
8. Proof of financial capability of the sponsor:
   1. Bank statements
   2. Certificate of Employment
   3. Latest Income Tax Return (ITR). (If the sponsor is living abroad, proof of financial capability should be subscribed and sworn to before an authorized officer to administer the oath.)

1. Colored (passport-size) photo of the minor (in white background) taken within six (6) months.
2. Valid ID/Passport of parents (with signature), Solo Parent ID, if applicable.
3. Affidavit of support and Certified copy of Evidence of financial capability of the sponsor such as any of the following:
   1. A certificate of Employment
   2. Latest Income Tax Return (ITR)
   3. Bank Statement

1. Colored copy of the previous Travel Clearance issued by the DSWD, if previously applied manually.
2. Electronically generated Travel Clearance need not be uploaded for renewing applicants.
3. QR-coded Marriage Certificate of the minor’s parents issued by the PSA or Court Order on Legal Guardianship, Solo Parent ID, if applicable.
4. Valid ID/Passport of parents (with signature).
5. Colored passport-size photo of the minor (in white background) taken within six (6) months.
6. Passport of the traveling companion.
7. If family friend/foreign companion, passport bio-page and visa/Alien Certificate of Registration ID (ACR i-card).
8. Notarized oath of undertaking (if non-relative).
9. Proof of financial capability of the sponsor, any of the following:
   1. Bank statement
   2. Certificate of Employment
   3. Latest Income Tax Return (ITR). If the sponsor is living abroad, proof of financial capability should be subscribed and sworn to before an authorized officer to administer the oath.

If the PSA-issued Birth Certificate is not QR-coded, you need to submit a copy of the minor’s passport as an alternative document for verification.

• Please upload the minor’s passport together with a PSA-issued Birth Certificate under the “QR-coded Birth Certificate from the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA)” tab.
• Please affix a signature if the minor is 13 years old and above and leave it blank if the minor is below 13 years old.

Scanned copy of the Visa petition approval.

Scanned copy of certification from a Physician citing the minor’s condition and his/her inability to fully take care of him/herself.

Scanned copy of the Student Visa or Acceptance or Certificate of Enrollment or Registration from the school where the minor is to be enrolled.

1. For a minor who will attend conferences, study tours, competition student exchange programs, Summer Camp, Pilgrimage, World Youth Day, and other related activities.
2. Scanned copy of the Affidavit of Undertaking of the companion indicating the safety measures undertaken by the sports agency (for sports competitions).
3. Scanned copy of the Signed invitation from the sponsoring agency/organization abroad with an itinerary of travel, list of participants, and duration of the activity/travel.

1. Scanned copy of the Medical Abstract of the minor.
2. Scanned copy of the Recommendation from the attending physician that such medical procedure is not available in the country.
3. Scanned copy of the Letter from the Sponsor.

NACC issued Consent to Travel.

RACCO issued Consent to Travel

RACCO issued Consent to Travel

Scanned copy of the Certified True Copy of Court Order on Legal Guardianship.

1. Scanned copy of the Social Case Study Report executed by a Licensed Social Worker of the Local Government Unit of the parent/guardian.
2. Scanned copy of the Blotter Report from either the local police or barangay certification from the locality or the last known address of the alleged missing parent
3. Solo Parent ID, if applicable.

Go to https://mta.dswd.gov.ph/ and log in with your registered account. On your dashboard, you will see your Active/Ongoing Applications, which you can track until completion of your application.

• For Screening - Your application has been submitted and is awaiting initial checking.
• Status after Assessment:
  • Compliant, Ready for Interview → Your documents are complete, and you can now select your interview schedule.
    Please click here to view the questions related to the interview process.
  • Disapproved due to Incomplete/Incorrect Details → Your application has incomplete or incorrect details.
    Please click here to view the questions related to the reapplication process.
• Re-applied/For Review - You have successfully complied the incomplete/incorrect details and the application is now awaiting for the reassessment.

• Preparing for Interview - You have selected your interview slot and are awaiting for your interview

  Reminder:
  • Please join the meeting link 5-10 minutes before your scheduled interview.
  • Please be advised that the parent/s, minor and companion (if there is) are required to attend the online interview.
  • If participants are in different locations, copy the meeting link/code from the website and share it.
• Recommendation for Approval - After your interview, your application has been found compliant and is recommended for approval.
• Recommendation for Disapproval - After your interview, your application has been found compliant and is recommended for approval.
• Need Clarification / Return to Interviewer - Your interviewer requested additional documents or clarifications. Once submitted, your application will be reassessed.

• Approved and Issued Certification - Your application has been approved and your certificate (TCC/CE) has been released.

  Reminder: Please click “Approved Application” on your dashboard to download your TCC/CE.

1. Go to https://mta.dswd.gov.ph and log in using your registered account.
2. On your dashboard, click the “Approved Application” tab.
3. Select your approved application and click "Download"
4. Answer the Client Satisfaction Survey to complete the process
5. After submitting the survey, save and/or print the Travel Clearance Certificate (TCC)/ Certificate of Exemption(CE).

1. Check your registered email and open the notification sent to your email. It contains the specific reason for disapproval and the list of missing or incorrect details.
2. Log in to your MTA account
3. Go to https://mta.dswd.gov.ph and sign in using your registered account credentials.
4. Go to your application dashboard
5. Locate your previous application marked as "Disapproved"
6. Click “Re-apply”
7. This option allows you to edit and update your previous application without paying additional fees.
8. Review and update information
9. Carefully correct any incomplete or incorrect details, and upload the required supporting documents as indicated in the email.
10. Once all information is verified and complete, click “Submit” to send your updated application for review.

If the flight is rebooked to an earlier or later date than what’s in the travel clearance, there’s no need for a new application. Just present proof of the rebooked flight to the Immigration Officer, as long as the destination, travel companion, and purpose of travel remain the same.

1. Go to https://mta.dswd.gov.ph and sign in using your registered account.
2. On your dashboard, click “Active/Ongoing Application”.
3. If your status is “Compliant, Ready for Interview,” click “Select Schedule” and choose your preferred interview date and time.

1. The interview link will be sent to the email address registered in the portal approximately five to ten (5 to 10) minutes before your scheduled interview. Please monitor your email for this link from your assigned interviewer.
2. Kindly be advised that arriving late by ten (10) minutes or more will require rescheduling of the interview. This policy ensures that subsequent interviews can proceed as scheduled.
3. Kindly note that the parent (both, if married), traveling companion, and the minor must all be present during the online interview on the scheduled date, in accordance with Department Memorandum Circular No. 22, Series of 2024, which outlines the implementation of the Digitized Travel Clearance for Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA).

The parent/s, the minor, and the companion (if any) are all required to attend the online interview.

Please be informed that it is not a requirement for the minor, parents, and traveling companion to be physically present in the same location. You may simply share the Google Meet link with them to facilitate their participation in the interview.

1. Please visit https://mta.dswd.gov.ph/ and log in to your account.
2. You can reschedule your interview after the missed schedule through your dashboard.

The validity period of the TCC shall be one (1) year from the date of issuance, provided that the travel companion is the same person and the purpose of travel and country/countries of destination are the same. Accordingly, any change in the travel companion or purpose of travel shall require the applicant to file a new application.

The CE shall have no validity period, which can be used multiple times by applicants who are required to secure CE per the Guidelines on Departure Formalities issued by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, provided that the traveling companions of the minor are the following:

• If the parents are not married and the minor is traveling with the biological father, who has sole parental authority or legal custody over the minor.
• Orphans of married parents and traveling with the substitute parent/s (grandparent or nearest kin).
• Orphans of non-married parents and traveling with the substitute parent/s or nearest kin on the maternal side.

The Travel Clearance Certificate (TCC) costs ₱800.00.

The Certificate of Exemption (CE) costs ₱300.00.

Payment can be made electronically through MAYA, GCash, or LandBank.

The processing takes one (1) to three (3) working days, provided that all requirements are complete and the information submitted is consistent.

The MTA Office operates Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on holidays and official government work suspensions.

• DSWD Trunkline: 8931-81-01 to 07; Local: 10360,10361, 10363, 10364, 10365
• Landline: 8951-7440
• Viber: (+63) 9451604534
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DSWD.MTA
• Email Address: cpo-mta@dswd.gov.ph, grievance_cpomta@dswd.gov.ph

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