Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (ASG) for Philippine Travel

A comprehensive legal guide (updated May 2025)

Quick take-away The ASG is a sworn, notarised Undertaking—usually executed before a Philippine Embassy/Consulate abroad—by which a Philippine-citizen or permanent-resident sponsor promises to shoulder the travel and living costs of a relative or friend who will travel to (or remain longer in) the Philippines, and guarantees that the sponsored traveller will comply with Philippine immigration laws and depart on time. It is most often required (a) when a foreign national is applying for a temporary visitor (9-a) visa or for a long-stay visa extension, and (b) when the Bureau of Immigration (BI) or an overseas post sees a high-risk profile (e.g., limited funds, young traveller, possible trafficking profile). The form also appears in outbound Filipino travel (e.g., relatives in Dubai sponsoring a Filipino tourist) but the controlling rules remain Philippine law because the ASG is a Philippine public instrument.

1. Legal Foundations

Instrument	Key Provisions
Commonwealth Act No. 613 (Philippine Immigration Act, 1940)	§§ 9 & 13 – Power of the Commissioner of Immigration to set documentary requirements for visas/entries.
Foreign Service Circulars (FSC) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)	Periodic FSCs (notably FSC-036-2019 and FSC-012-2022) standardise the ASG form, list acceptable proofs of relationship, and fix authentication fees.
Bureau of Immigration Operations Orders (e.g., O.O. SBM-2015-026, O.O. JHM-2019-008)	Direct frontline officers to require an ASG where “financial capacity or bona-fide purpose of travel is doubtful.”
Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Revised Guidelines on Departure Formalities (2023)	Treats the ASG as secondary evidence of financial capacity/support to mitigate trafficking risks.
Civil Code & Rules on Notarial Practice	The ASG is an affidavit; false statements expose the affiant to perjury (Art. 183, Revised Penal Code) and immigration exclusion.

Bottom line: There is no stand-alone “ASG law.” Instead, the ASG is enabled by the broad rule-making powers of the DFA and BI to protect the State from (i) public-charge risks and (ii) trafficking or overstaying.

2. What Exactly Is the ASG?

Element	Explanation
Affidavit of Support	A declaration that the sponsor will financially support the traveller for the entire period of stay.
Guarantee	A contractual-style promise to repatriate the traveller at the sponsor’s expense and to pay any fines or expenses the Philippine Government may incur if the traveller violates immigration laws.
Notarial Character	Must be notarised by a Philippine Consular Officer (or executed in the Philippines before a local notary and then authenticated by DFA Apostille, if filed locally).
One-time, single-use	Generally valid for 90 days from notarisation and for one entry only, unless a consulate expressly annotates a longer validity.

3. When Is an ASG Required?

Foreign nationals applying abroad for a 9-a Visitor Visa who are unable to prove adequate personal funds.
Visa-free nationals asking for a long-stay visa extension (beyond 30 days) where the BI questions means of support.
High-risk inbound profiles (minors, young females travelling alone, retirees without pensions, etc.).
Outbound Filipino travellers whose foreign sponsor (often a relative working overseas) is shouldering the trip and whose own financial documents are weak.
Special cases: Adoption travel, medical treatment, religious missions—when sponsorship is essential.

Not automatically needed for:

Balikbayan-privileged spouses/children of Filipinos (unless overstay extension sought).
Holders of pre-arranged employment (9-g) or immigrant visas (13-series).
Tourists who can clearly show sufficient personal funds (credit cards, bank statements, etc.).

4. Who May Act as Sponsor?

Criterion	Typical Requirement
Citizenship/status	Philippine citizen, dual citizen, or permanent resident/immigrant in the Philippines. A Filipino working abroad (OFW) may sponsor if ASG is notarised at a Philippine post.
Age	At least 21 (or 18 if married and with evidence of stable income).
Relationship	Preferably up to 4th civil degree (spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, uncle/aunt, first cousin). Non-relatives are not barred but BI often demands extra proof of bona fide relationship (shared travel history, etc.).
Financial capacity	Recent payslips, bank certificates, property titles, income-tax returns. Consular posts commonly use a ₱ 10,000-15,000/day of stay guideline, but officers retain discretion.

5. Documentary Checklist

Document	Notes
ASG Form (consular pro-forma, filled out in duplicate)	Must be signed in person before the Consular Notary.
Sponsor’s Passport or PH ID	Photocopy bio-page or PhilSys/UMID/Driver’s Licence.
Proof of Residency Abroad (if sponsor is overseas)	Residence ID, visa stamp, labour card, tenancy contract.
Proof of Relationship	PSA birth/marriage certificates, or notarised affidavits if non-relatives.
Proof of Income/Assets	Bank certificate (latest month), Certificate of Employment & Compensation, tax returns, pension statement, land titles or condo CCT.
Traveller’s Passport Copy & Tentative Itinerary	For BI file reference; ticket need not be purchased yet.
Notarial Fee Receipt	Fees range USD 25-40; cash, card, or money order depending on post.

Tip: Consulates reject documents with erasures, “white-outs,” or electronic signatures. Bring originals for sighting.

6. Execution & Authentication Procedure

Book an online appointment with the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Appear in person (the sponsor, or an attorney-in-fact holding a SPA specifically to sign the ASG).
Sign before the Consular Officer; oath is administered.
Pay the fee; receive one original for the applicant and one for DFAs file.
Courier or hand-carry the original to the traveller for submission with the visa application or for presentation to BI on arrival.

If the ASG is drawn inside the Philippines (e.g., a Manila-based sponsor):

Execute before a Philippine Notary Public.
Apostille it at the DFA-OCA in Aseana, Parañaque (walk-in or courier).
Present to BI Extension Section or send to the foreign national abroad.

7. Submission to Authorities

At a Philippine Consulate (Visa Filing): Attach ASG in the documentary envelope; the visa will bear a “9-a Sponsored” notation.
At Port of Entry (NAIA, Clark, Cebu): Show ASG when the immigration officer asks for “supporting documents,” especially if travel funds are modest.
At BI Main Office / Field Office (Visa Extension): Staple ASG to the CGAF Form together with ACR-I Card receipt or tourist records.

Unopened envelopes or sealed evidence pouches are not required—immigration uses open-file inspection.

8. Validity, Scope & Limitations

Aspect	Details
Validity Period	90 days from notarisation OR until the end-date specified in the affidavit, whichever comes first.
Number of Entries	One sponsored entry only (multiple entries demand separate ASGs unless a Consular Officer annotates otherwise).
Withdrawal	Sponsor may execute a “Notice of Revocation” before the same consulate; BI may still hold the traveller liable.
Liability Ceiling	Unlimited in theory; in practice BI/DOJ will assess costs and may blacklist defaulters. Civil action may be filed against the sponsor to recover government expenses.

9. Special Situations

Scenario	Additional Rules
Minors (<18) data-preserve-html-node="true" travelling without parents	ASG is not a substitute for the DSWD Travel Clearance for Minors Abroad (TCMA); both documents may be demanded.
Foreign spouse/fiancé(e)	ASG often paired with proof of genuine relationship (photos, chats, CENOMAR, etc.).
Medical Treatment	Hospitals may issue cost estimates; sponsor must reference those figures.
Adoption/Guardianship Travel	Include certified copies of court decree or pending petition.
Religious/Charity Workers	Sponsoring religious order provides Board and Lodging guarantee instead.

10. Common Pitfalls & Red Flags

Notarised by a local (non-Philippine) notary only – invalid; must be Philippine consular or Apostilled.
Photocopied or scanned ASG – BI requires the wet-ink original.
Wrong apostille (home country, not PH-issued) – Consular, not local apostille, governs.
Mismatch in dates or names – Immigration may suspect fraud and issue a Watchlist Order.
Overly generic relationship (“family friend”) without evidence – High denial rate.
Expired ASG presented at port – Treated as no ASG; traveller can be refused entry/departure.

11. Data Privacy & Record-Keeping

DFA and BI retain copies for 5 years under their records-disposition schedules.
Personal data are processed under Republic Act 10173 (Data Privacy Act); access is limited to compliance verification, anti-fraud, and anti-trafficking purposes.

12. Penalties for False or Misused ASGs

Violation	Consequence
Perjury / Falsification	Prision correccional (6 months-6 years) + possible deportation if sponsor is a foreigner.
Using someone else’s ASG	Summary exclusion at port; blacklisting of both traveller and sponsor.
Failure to Repatriate Sponsored Traveller	Civil action by the State; sponsor may be held solidarily liable for fines, detention costs, and airfare.
Human-Trafficking Facilitation	RA 9208/RA 10364 – up to life imprisonment if ASG is used to traffic persons.

13. Practical Tips for a Smooth Approval

Submit a detailed Cover Letter explaining the travel purpose and relationship.
Provide more than the minimum bank balance (3-6-month average) to pre-empt doubts.
Attach an exit ticket or travel booking even if BI tells you it is “optional.”
Keep extra copies (BI sometimes takes one; airlines may ask before boarding).
Monitor DFA & BI Advisories—requirements can tighten or loosen quickly in response to trafficking trends.

14. Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Short Answer
Can two sponsors sign one ASG?	Yes (joint and solidary) but both must appear or issue separate SPAs.
May a company sponsor an individual?	Only through its duly authorised officer; attach SEC or DTI papers.
Is Apostille under the Hague Convention enough if the ASG was signed abroad?	No. Philippine posts are exempt from apostille; you must sign before the consulate or have the document consular-acknowledged.
Can I use an ASG to extend a visa that has already lapsed?	BI will still impose overstay fines; ASG cannot waive penalties.
How soon should I renew?	If travel is postponed beyond 90 days, execute a fresh ASG to avoid hassles.

15. Conclusion

The Affidavit of Support and Guarantee remains a powerful but strictly regulated instrument in Philippine immigration practice. It protects both the traveller—who gains an extra avenue to prove bona fide status—and the State—by assigning financial and legal accountability to a willing sponsor. Because the ASG is rooted in discretionary guidelines rather than a single statute, requirements evolve. Travellers and sponsors should therefore (1) secure the affidavit well ahead of the intended journey, (2) over-document financial capacity and relationship, and (3) check the latest DFA and BI notices immediately before filing or flying. When prepared correctly, the ASG transforms what might be a visa or immigration hurdle into a straightforward compliance step, ensuring a smooth, lawful, and trouble-free Philippine visit.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a Philippine immigration lawyer or the nearest Philippine Embassy/Consulate.