Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG) Requirements at Philippine Consulates in the United Arab Emirates

Introduction

The Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG) is a critical legal document in the Philippine context, particularly for immigration and travel purposes. It serves as a formal declaration by a sponsor—typically a relative, friend, or employer—affirming their commitment to provide financial support to a Filipino traveler or visitor during their stay abroad and to ensure the individual's return to the Philippines. This document is often required to mitigate risks associated with illegal overstaying, human trafficking, or insufficient financial capacity, as assessed by Philippine immigration authorities under the guidelines of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In the context of Philippine consulates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the AOSG is commonly executed by Filipino sponsors residing in the UAE who wish to invite family members, friends, or dependents from the Philippines for visits, family reunions, or short-term stays. The UAE hosts a large Filipino expatriate community, with over 700,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and residents, making such invitations frequent. The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai provide notarial services for drafting, executing, and authenticating AOSGs, which are then used by invitees in the Philippines for departure clearance from the BI or as supporting documentation for UAE visa applications.

The AOSG is not a UAE-specific requirement but stems from Philippine legal frameworks to protect citizens traveling abroad. It aligns with the Philippines' anti-human trafficking laws and immigration policies, ensuring that travelers are not at risk of exploitation. While the UAE's immigration authorities handle visit visa approvals (often requiring sponsorship guarantees under UAE Federal Law No. 6 of 1973 on Immigration and Residency), the AOSG complements this by providing a notarized assurance from the Philippine side, which can strengthen visa applications or resolve offloading concerns at Philippine airports.

Legal Basis

The AOSG derives its authority from several Philippine laws and regulations:

Republic Act No. 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended by RA 10022): This mandates protection for OFWs and their families, including mechanisms to ensure sponsored travel is legitimate and supported. The AOSG helps prevent scenarios where dependents become undocumented or vulnerable abroad.
Republic Act No. 1056 (Notarial Law) and the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice: These govern the notarization of affidavits by Philippine consular officers abroad, treating them as equivalent to domestic notaries. Consular officers act as ex-officio notaries under DFA guidelines.
Bureau of Immigration Operations Orders: Specifically, BI Memorandum Circular No. AFF-15-003 outlines scenarios where an AOSG is required for departing Filipinos, such as tourists without sufficient proof of financial capacity or return intent. This includes travel to the UAE if profiled as high-risk.
DFA Consular Guidelines: The DFA's Manual on Consular Services Abroad (updated periodically) specifies procedures for AOSGs at overseas posts, emphasizing personal appearance and verification to prevent fraud.

Internationally, the AOSG aligns with the Hague Apostille Convention (to which both the Philippines and UAE are parties since 2023 for the Philippines), allowing for simplified authentication if the document needs legalization for UAE use.

Purpose and Applicability

The AOSG is applicable in various scenarios involving Philippine consulates in the UAE:

Family Visits: A UAE-based Filipino sponsoring a spouse, child, parent, or sibling for a short-term visit (e.g., 30-90 days under UAE visit visa).
Tourist Travel: If the invitee lacks independent financial proof, the AOSG demonstrates sponsorship to avoid offloading by BI officers at Philippine exit points.
Dependent Relocation: For initial stages of family reunification, especially if the sponsor is an OFW with a valid UAE residence visa.
Medical or Educational Purposes: Sponsoring relatives for treatment or short courses in the UAE.
Group Invitations: Less common, but possible for multiple invitees (e.g., family groups), requiring individual details in the affidavit.

It is not typically required for employment-related travel (handled via POEA/OWWA processes) or if the traveler has strong independent documentation (e.g., return tickets, hotel bookings, bank statements exceeding PHP 50,000-100,000 equivalent).

Requirements for Executing an AOSG

To execute an AOSG at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai, the sponsor must meet stringent requirements to ensure authenticity and capacity. These are standardized across DFA posts but may include UAE-specific adaptations (e.g., references to iqama or Emirates ID).

General Requirements

Personal Appearance: The sponsor must appear in person; proxies are not allowed to prevent fraud.
Valid Identification:
- Original and photocopy of the sponsor's Philippine passport (valid for at least 6 months).
- UAE residence visa (iqama) or Emirates ID, proving legal residency in the UAE.
Proof of Relationship:
- Birth certificates (for parents/children/siblings).
- Marriage certificate (for spouses).
- Other documents like family photos or prior correspondence if relationship is not immediate.
Proof of Financial Capacity:
- Employment certificate from UAE employer, stating position, salary (typically at least AED 5,000-10,000 monthly to demonstrate support ability), and length of service.
- Recent bank statements (3-6 months) showing sufficient funds (e.g., equivalent to PHP 50,000 per invitee per month of stay).
- Income tax return (ITR) or UAE salary certificate.
- Property titles or lease agreements in the UAE as additional proof.
Details of the Invitee:
- Full name, address, and contact information.
- Photocopy of the invitee's Philippine passport.
- Itinerary, including flight details, accommodation (often the sponsor's address), and purpose of visit.
Draft Affidavit: Sponsors can prepare a draft using DFA templates (available on the embassy/consulate websites) or have it prepared on-site. The affidavit must include:
- Sponsor's commitment to cover all expenses (travel, accommodation, food, medical).
- Guarantee that the invitee will not overstay or seek unauthorized employment.
- Assurance of return to the Philippines.
- Clause on liability for any violations.

Additional Requirements for Specific Cases

Minors: If inviting a minor, include parental consent (if not a parent sponsoring) and DSWD travel clearance.
Multiple Invitees: Separate affidavits or a combined one with itemized details.
OFW Sponsors: OWWA membership certificate or OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) if applicable.
Post-Pandemic Considerations: As of 2025, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or health insurance may still be requested, though not mandatory.

All documents must be in English or Arabic (for UAE relevance), with translations if needed. Originals are verified, and photocopies retained.

Procedure for Execution

Scheduling an Appointment: Book via the embassy/consulate's online system (e.g., Dubai's PCG Dubai website or Abu Dhabi's PE Abu Dhabi portal). Walk-ins are discouraged; appointments are typically available within 1-2 weeks.
Submission and Verification: Attend the appointment with all documents. Consular officers review for completeness and authenticity, interviewing the sponsor if discrepancies arise.
Drafting and Signing: The affidavit is drafted or revised, signed by the sponsor in the presence of the consular officer, and notarized with the official seal.
Payment: Pay the fee at the cashier.
Release: The document is usually issued same-day or within 1-2 days. If apostille is needed (for UAE use), it can be requested simultaneously under DFA procedures.
Transmission: The sponsor sends the original AOSG to the invitee in the Philippines via courier (e.g., LBC or DHL), who then uses it for BI clearance or UAE visa application.

Processing time: 1-3 days, extendable if verification is needed.

Fees

Notarization Fee: Approximately AED 100 (equivalent to USD 25 or PHP 1,400), subject to DFA's uniform consular fees.
Apostille Fee: Additional AED 100 if required for legalization.
Other Charges: Photocopying (AED 5-10), express processing (if available, AED 50 extra).

Fees are non-refundable and payable in AED or via card. Exemptions apply for indigent sponsors under DFA indigency guidelines.

Validity and Renewal

An AOSG is typically valid for 6 months from execution or until the travel date, whichever is earlier. If the trip is delayed, a new affidavit may be required. Renewals involve re-submission of updated proofs.

Common Issues and Challenges

Rejections: Due to insufficient financial proof or suspected fraudulent intent (e.g., mismatched relationship documents).
Offloading Risks: Even with AOSG, BI may offload if other red flags exist (e.g., first-time traveler, no return ticket).
UAE Visa Integration: The AOSG strengthens UAE visit visa applications but does not guarantee approval; UAE GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) requires separate sponsorship forms.
Fraud Prevention: Consulates cross-check with POEA/OWWA databases to avoid trafficking schemes.
Cultural/Regional Variations: Dubai consulate handles more cases due to larger Filipino population; Abu Dhabi for southern emirates.
Digital Alternatives: As of 2025, some DFA posts offer e-notarization pilots, but in-person is standard in UAE.

Conclusion

The AOSG remains an essential tool for facilitating safe and legal travel between the Philippines and the UAE, balancing protection with family connectivity. Sponsors should prepare thoroughly, consulting the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi (website: abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph) or Consulate General in Dubai (dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph) for the latest updates, as requirements may evolve with bilateral agreements or policy changes. Proper execution not only complies with Philippine law but also fosters trust in international mobility for Filipinos. For complex cases, seeking advice from licensed immigration lawyers in the Philippines or UAE is recommended.