1) What an “Affidavit of Support and Guarantee” is (and what it is not)

An Affidavit of Support and Guarantee for Travel (often shortened in practice to “Affidavit of Support,” “AOS,” or “AOSG”) is a sworn statement where a person (the sponsor/guarantor) declares, under oath, that they will financially support a traveler and, depending on the wording, guarantee certain obligations connected to the trip (commonly: accommodation, daily expenses, return ticket, compliance with immigration rules, and sometimes the traveler’s return to the Philippines).

It is not automatically required by Philippine law for every trip. In most real-world scenarios, it is a supporting document—requested because the traveler needs to demonstrate financial capacity or credible travel arrangements.

It is also not the same as:

U.S. immigration affidavits (e.g., Form I-864 or I-134), which are governed by U.S. immigration rules and have their own strict forms and enforceability.
A simple “invitation letter,” which is typically not sworn and not notarized (unless the destination country specifically requests notarization).
A DSWD Travel Clearance or parental consent affidavit for minors (separate requirements and purposes).

2) Why affidavits are used in travel situations

Across many travel contexts, authorities care about a few recurring questions:

Will the traveler be able to pay for the trip?
Are the travel arrangements real and consistent?
Is there a risk of overstaying, unauthorized work, trafficking, or other violations?
Is the purpose of travel credible and supported by documents?

An Affidavit of Support and Guarantee is used to strengthen the traveler’s answers, especially if:

the traveler has limited personal funds, irregular income, or is unemployed/student;
expenses are truly being shouldered by someone else; or
the traveler is visiting a host abroad who will provide accommodation and support.

3) Philippine legal and procedural backdrop (high level)

In the Philippines, the affidavit’s “legal power” comes from two basic ideas:

A. Affidavits are sworn statements under oath. A notarized affidavit is generally treated as a public document and carries evidentiary weight. The act of swearing falsely can expose the affiant to perjury under the Revised Penal Code.

B. Notarization rules matter. A document becomes a notarized affidavit only if executed in compliance with the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (or notarized/consularized abroad per applicable rules). Improper notarization can make the document questionable or useless for its intended purpose.

C. Immigration screening is discretionary. For outbound Filipino travelers, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) processes departures and may conduct secondary inspection depending on the traveler’s profile and documents. The affidavit does not guarantee clearance; it is merely one piece of supporting evidence.

D. Anti-trafficking enforcement is a real factor. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208, as amended) shapes airport screening practices. Documents that look like “sponsorship” may attract closer scrutiny if they resemble patterns used in trafficking or illegal recruitment.

4) When an Affidavit of Support and Guarantee is commonly requested (Philippine context)

There is no one-size-fits-all rule. The affidavit may be requested by:

a foreign embassy/consulate during visa processing;
airline staff (rare, but can happen if boarding requirements or destination rules are unclear);
Philippine immigration officers during departure assessment (especially in secondary inspection);
destination-country border authorities upon entry (less common if visa already issued, but still possible).

Below are the most common Philippine-facing scenarios:

A) Visa applications where the applicant is sponsored

Many countries require proof of funds. If the applicant cannot meet the financial threshold alone, a sponsor’s documents are used. Depending on the country, this may be:

a Philippine-style affidavit of support/guarantee; or
a country-specific sponsorship form (often preferred), sometimes with strict formatting or local legalization requirements.

Practical point: Some embassies treat generic affidavits as weak unless backed by strong financial evidence and proof of relationship.

B) Outbound Filipino travelers who have a sponsor abroad (or a local sponsor paying)

In practice, BI may ask for stronger proof of finances and purpose for travelers who are:

first-time international travelers;
students, unemployed, or without stable income proof;
traveling to visit an online partner or distant acquaintance;
traveling with inconsistent documents (e.g., vague itinerary, no hotel booking, no leave approval, unclear funding);
traveling on a one-way ticket without a credible explanation.

In those cases, an affidavit is often used to show who is paying and how.

C) Visiting family/partner abroad where accommodation is free

If the traveler will stay in a private residence (not hotels), authorities may ask for:

proof of accommodation (host letter, address, host ID/residency proof);
proof of relationship; and
sometimes an affidavit of support/guarantee to connect the host to the financial arrangements.

D) Group travel sponsored by an organization or employer

For conferences, competitions, training, and sponsored delegations, an affidavit can be used, but it is usually better supported by:

official company/school letters;
travel authority/office orders;
event registration and sponsorship confirmations; and
the sponsor’s financial/organizational capacity documents.

E) Special case: minors and young travelers

A sponsorship affidavit does not replace:

DSWD Travel Clearance (for minors traveling abroad under specific circumstances); or
a parental consent affidavit/authorization when applicable.

However, sponsorship documents may still be relevant if the minor’s expenses are shouldered by someone other than the parents.

5) When it is not required (and when it won’t help much)

You typically do not need an affidavit if the traveler can independently show:

sufficient personal funds and stable income;
consistent itinerary and bookings;
clear purpose (tourism, short visit, business with proper documents);
credible ties to the Philippines (work, school, business, family responsibilities); and
proper visa (if required) and return/onward ticket.

Also, an affidavit will not cure major weaknesses like:

fabricated employment documents;
inconsistent purpose (“tourist” but carrying work contracts);
unclear relationship with sponsor;
a sponsor with no credible capacity; or
signs of illegal recruitment/trafficking risk.

6) Who can sponsor (Philippine practice)

In Philippine usage, a sponsor can be:

A) A family member

Common: parents, siblings, spouse, fiancé(e), grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins. Stronger credibility typically exists when there is close relation and clear proof.

B) A partner (including non-spouse)

Possible, but often more scrutinized if:

the relationship is recent,
mostly online,
with limited shared history, or
financial arrangements seem one-sided without context.

C) A friend or private host

Possible, but usually needs robust supporting evidence: identity, capacity, purpose, history of relationship, and clear accommodation details.

D) An employer, school, or organization

Often the cleanest sponsorship (for legitimate business/training/competitions), provided documents are formal and verifiable.

E) A foreign national sponsor

A foreign sponsor can execute a support/guarantee undertaking. For Philippine use, authenticity is often strengthened by:

notarization abroad plus proper authentication (see section on apostille/consularization); and
credible proof of legal stay abroad (residence permit/visa status), employment/income, and address.

Basic eligibility for sponsors (practical):

legal age and capacity to contract;
credible identity (government ID/passport);
demonstrable financial capacity;
willingness to be contacted/verified; and
truthful, consistent statements.

7) What the affidavit should contain (substance checklist)

A strong Affidavit of Support and Guarantee usually contains:

Sponsor’s identity

full name, citizenship, civil status
date/place of birth (optional but common)
complete address
passport number (if abroad) or government ID number
contact details (phone/email)

Traveler’s identity

full name, passport number, date of birth
address in the Philippines
relationship to sponsor

Trip details

destination country/cities
travel dates
purpose (tourism, family visit, attending event)
accommodation address(es)
return ticket details (or undertaking to provide one)

Scope of financial support Specify what the sponsor will pay for, e.g.:

airfare (if applicable)
accommodation
daily living expenses
travel insurance (if required)
local transportation
emergency medical costs (optional undertaking)

Guarantee/undertaking language Common undertakings include:

traveler will comply with visa conditions and immigration laws;
traveler will not engage in unauthorized work;
sponsor will ensure traveler has means to return;
sponsor will shoulder expenses if traveler becomes a public charge (language varies by country).

Supporting document list Mention attached documents (and actually attach them).
Oath and signature Executed under oath before a notary public (or before a consular officer abroad, or notarized abroad with apostille, as applicable).

Avoid overpromising. A “guarantee” that the traveler will definitely return can be risky if written as an absolute promise. Many affidavits instead state an undertaking to support lawful travel and return arrangements, without guaranteeing outcomes that are beyond the sponsor’s control.

8) Supporting documents usually paired with the affidavit

Authorities rarely rely on the affidavit alone. Common attachments include:

Sponsor documents

Government ID (Philippine ID) or passport (if abroad)
Proof of income: employment certificate, payslips, tax records, business registration and financial statements (as available)
Bank certificates/statements (often recent)
Proof of address abroad (utility bill/tenancy agreement) if host is abroad
Proof of legal status abroad (residence permit/visa) if sponsor is not a citizen there

Traveler documents

Passport bio page
Proof of relationship (PSA birth/marriage certificates; photos and communication history for partners when relevant)
Employment documents (COE, leave approval), school enrollment, or business documents
Itinerary, hotel bookings (if any), return/onward ticket
Travel insurance (if required by destination)
Prior travel history (old visas/stamps) if helpful

Consistency matters more than volume. A thick file with contradictions can be worse than a short, coherent set.

9) Notarization, apostille, and consularization (what makes it “usable”)

A) If executed in the Philippines

The sponsor signs the affidavit in front of a Philippine notary public, presenting valid IDs. The notary completes the jurat/acknowledgment and enters it in the notarial register.

B) If executed abroad by a sponsor

Common options:

Philippine Embassy/Consulate notarization (consular notarization). The sponsor appears before a consular officer who notarizes the affidavit. This is often readily accepted for Philippine purposes.
Local notarization abroad + apostille (where applicable) The document is notarized in the foreign country, then authenticated by that country’s apostille authority if the receiving jurisdiction recognizes apostilles.

Key practical point: The “correct” authentication path depends on:

where the document will be used (Philippines? a foreign embassy?),
the destination country’s requirements, and
whether the issuing country is part of the apostille system relevant to the receiving country.

When in doubt, travelers usually align with the specific requirements of the embassy/consulate or authority requesting the document (visa section instructions often control).

10) How Philippine immigration typically evaluates sponsored travel (practical indicators)

For departures, immigration officers generally look at the totality of circumstances, such as:

Purpose clarity: Are the traveler’s answers consistent with documents?
Financial credibility: Does the sponsor have real capacity? Does the traveler have some capacity too?
Relationship plausibility: Is the claimed relationship supported?
Return incentives: Work/school/business/family ties in the Philippines.
Documentation coherence: Names, dates, addresses, and sponsor/traveler statements align.

An affidavit helps most when it is credible, specific, and supported by primary documents.

11) Risks, liabilities, and penalties

A) Perjury and false statements

A sponsor or traveler who lies in a sworn affidavit can face perjury exposure. Even apart from criminal risk, false statements can lead to:

visa refusal,
future visa difficulties,
immigration blacklisting or watchlisting (depending on jurisdiction), and
reputational and financial harm.

B) Civil liability (practical reality)

An affidavit can be evidence of a promise to shoulder expenses. Whether it becomes enforceable like a contract depends on facts (acceptance, reliance, jurisdiction, and proof). But it can still be used against the sponsor in disputes.

C) Trafficking and illegal recruitment concerns

“Sponsored” travel is a known pattern in trafficking and illegal recruitment schemes. Red flags include:

sponsor is not clearly related and is evasive;
traveler has vague plans, no clear itinerary, or inconsistent story;
large unexplained financial support with “work” hints;
documents appear mass-produced, templated, or forged.

12) Drafting tips (what makes an affidavit strong)

Be specific (exact dates, addresses, scope of expenses).
Be consistent with the traveler’s itinerary and visa application forms.
Attach primary evidence (income, identity, relationship).
Avoid generic, copy-paste language that doesn’t fit the trip.
Keep it truthful and modest—undertake what can realistically be done.
Use correct names and passport numbers exactly as printed.
Make sure the notarization/authentication matches the intended use.

13) Common mistakes that weaken or ruin the affidavit

Sponsor has no real proof of funds (or documents don’t match claims).
Affidavit says sponsor will shoulder everything, but traveler’s visa form says self-funded (or vice versa).
Dates and destinations don’t match itinerary/booking/leave approval.
Sponsor’s ID is missing or unclear.
Notarization defects (wrong venue, missing jurat details, expired commission issues, unsigned pages).
Using a Philippine generic affidavit where the embassy requires a country-specific guarantee form.

14) Sample template (Philippine-style; must be tailored)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ________ ) S.S.

AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT AND GUARANTEE

I, [Sponsor Full Name], of legal age, [civil status], [citizenship], with residence address at [complete address], and with [Passport/ID No.], after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state:

That I am the [relationship] of [Traveler Full Name], born on [DOB], holder of Philippine Passport No. [passport no.], residing at [PH address] (“Traveler”);

That the Traveler intends to travel to [destination country/cities] from [date] to [date] for the purpose of [tourism/family visit/attend event];

That I voluntarily undertake to provide financial support for the Traveler’s trip expenses, including but not limited to: [airfare/return ticket], [accommodation at address], daily subsistence, local transportation, and other reasonable travel-related expenses during the above travel period;

That I further undertake that the Traveler shall comply with the immigration and visa laws and regulations of [destination], shall not engage in unauthorized employment, and shall depart [destination] on or before [date] or upon the expiration of lawful stay, whichever is earlier;

That I am capable of providing the foregoing support, as evidenced by the documents attached to this Affidavit, including [list attachments: proof of income, bank statements, IDs, etc.];

That I execute this Affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing and for whatever legal purpose it may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [day] of [month] [year] in [city, Philippines / place abroad].

[Sponsor Signature] [Sponsor Printed Name]

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this [day] of [month] [year] in [city], affiant exhibiting to me [ID/passport details].

[Notary Public / Consular Officer] Doc No. ___; Page No. ___; Book No. ___; Series of ___.

Note: Some destination authorities prefer wording about “undertaking responsibility” or “guarantee of costs” in a specific format. A generic template should be aligned with the requesting authority’s checklist.

15) Practical “who should provide what” guide

If the traveler is sponsored by a relative in the Philippines:

Sponsor: notarized affidavit + proof of income/bank + ID + relationship proof
Traveler: itinerary + return ticket + employment/school ties + passport

If the sponsor/host is abroad:

Host: affidavit/undertaking + passport/residence permit + proof of address + proof of income/bank
Traveler: consistent itinerary + proof of relationship + ties to PH + travel insurance (if required)

If sponsored by employer/school/organization:

Organization: sponsorship letter on letterhead + proof of registration + authority signatory ID + event details
Traveler: travel authority/leave approval + enrollment/employment + itinerary

16) Key takeaways

An Affidavit of Support and Guarantee is not universally mandatory; it is a supporting document used to prove funding and credible arrangements when the traveler is sponsored.
It carries weight only when it is truthful, specific, properly notarized/authenticated, and backed by primary evidence of identity, capacity, relationship, and coherent travel plans.
Sponsorship can come from family, partners, friends, or institutions, but credibility rises with clear relationship and verifiable capacity.
The affidavit does not guarantee visa approval or departure clearance; authorities decide based on the totality of circumstances.
False statements can trigger serious consequences, including perjury exposure and immigration difficulties.