In Philippine immigration practice, the Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG) serves as a critical documentary safeguard ensuring that a foreign national entering the Philippines as a temporary visitor will not become a public charge. It is a notarized declaration executed by a Philippine citizen or a resident alien sponsor who assumes full financial and moral responsibility for the visitor’s stay. The instrument is rooted in the state’s sovereign authority to regulate the entry of aliens and to protect public resources, as embodied in the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended). While not universally mandatory for all visa-free entries, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) routinely requires it when the traveler’s own financial capacity appears insufficient or when the purpose of the visit involves family reunification, medical treatment, business conferences, or extended tourism beyond the standard thirty-day visa-free period granted to nationals of countries with reciprocal agreements.

The legal foundation for the AOSG lies in Section 9(a) of the Immigration Act, which authorizes the admission of temporary visitors “whose entry would not be contrary to public interest.” Implementing rules issued by the BI, particularly those governing the 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s Visa and visa extensions, expressly allow the submission of an AOSG together with an invitation letter to overcome any presumption that the alien may overstay or rely on government assistance. The affidavit transforms a mere invitation into a legally enforceable undertaking, creating personal liability on the part of the sponsor for any expenses the government may incur should the visitor violate immigration laws, become destitute, or require deportation at public cost.

Purpose and Legal Effect
The AOSG fulfills three primary functions: (1) it demonstrates the visitor’s guaranteed means of support, thereby satisfying the “not likely to become a public charge” requirement; (2) it provides the BI with a readily identifiable Philippine-based individual who can be held accountable for the visitor’s compliance and timely departure; and (3) it strengthens the application for visa issuance at Philippine Foreign Service Posts or for admission at ports of entry. Once accepted, the document forms part of the official immigration record and may be invoked in proceedings involving visa cancellation, deportation, or blacklisting. Sponsors who execute the affidavit in bad faith or who later fail to honor its terms may face administrative sanctions from the BI and civil liability for reimbursement of any government expenditures.

Who May Execute the Affidavit
Any Filipino citizen of legal age or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (holder of an Immigrant Certificate of Residence or ACR I-Card) may act as sponsor. The affiant must possess sufficient financial capacity, evidenced by stable income or assets, and must maintain actual residence in the Philippines. Spouses, parents, children, siblings, or other close relatives are preferred, but non-relatives may also sponsor provided they submit proof of a genuine relationship (e.g., long-standing friendship documented by affidavits of disinterested persons or photographs). Corporations or juridical entities are generally not permitted to execute a personal AOSG; instead, they submit a corporate guarantee through a responsible officer.

Essential Contents
A valid AOSG must contain the following mandatory recitals under Philippine notarization standards:

Full name, age, civil status, citizenship, and complete address of the affiant.
Valid government-issued identification number (preferably Philippine passport details).
Full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth of the beneficiary/visitor.
Exact relationship between affiant and beneficiary, or the nature of acquaintance.
Purpose of the visit, proposed duration, and detailed itinerary within the Philippines.
Explicit undertaking to provide adequate food, lodging, transportation, medical care, and all incidental expenses.
Commitment that the visitor will abide by all Philippine laws and will depart upon expiration of authorized stay.
Irrevocable guarantee that the affiant will shoulder repatriation or deportation costs if necessary.
Declaration that the affiant has the financial means to fulfill the obligations, supported by annexed documents.
Statement that the affidavit is executed freely and voluntarily, without any consideration other than genuine hospitality or familial duty.
Jurat with notary’s certification, including the affiant’s competent identification.

Required Supporting Documents
The AOSG is never submitted in isolation. Standard BI and consular requirements include:

Original notarized AOSG (two copies).
Affiant’s valid Philippine passport or ACR I-Card (photocopy).
Proof of financial capacity: latest Income Tax Return (ITR) with BIR stamp, bank certificate showing sufficient balance, certificate of employment with salary, or land title/deed of sale if relying on real property.
Proof of relationship: birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other competent evidence.
Photocopy of the beneficiary’s passport bio-page.
Flight itinerary and hotel booking (or proof that sponsor will provide accommodation).
Recent passport-sized photographs of both parties (if required by the receiving post).

All foreign documents must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if executed abroad; conversely, a locally executed AOSG needs no further authentication for use inside the Philippines.

Sample Format

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
CITY OF _______________ ) S.S.

AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT AND GUARANTEE

I, _______________________________, of legal age, Filipino, single/married, with residence and postal address at ______________________________________________, after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, do hereby depose and say:

That I am a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines holding Philippine Passport No. ____________ issued on _______________ at _______________ and valid until _______________;
That I am gainfully employed/self-employed with monthly income of Php _______________ as evidenced by the attached Income Tax Return/Bank Certificate/Certificate of Employment;
That I am the _________________ (state exact relationship, e.g., father, sister, friend) of _______________________________, holder of Passport No. ____________ issued by ________________ on _______________, who is presently in ________________ and intends to visit the Philippines;
That the purpose of the visit is _______________________________ (pleasure/family reunion/medical treatment/business) and the intended period of stay is from ________________ to ________________ (maximum 59 days for initial visa-free extension or as applied);
That I am willing and able to provide full financial support, accommodation, food, local transportation, medical expenses, and all other necessary expenses during the entire period of stay;
That I guarantee that the above-named visitor will strictly comply with all immigration laws of the Philippines, will not engage in any unlawful activity, and will depart the country upon expiration of the authorized period of stay;
That I further guarantee to shoulder all expenses for the repatriation or deportation of the said visitor should he/she become a public charge or violate any provision of the Immigration Act;
That I execute this Affidavit to support the application for entry/temporary visitor’s visa of the above-named person and for all legal intents and purposes it may serve;
That I am executing this instrument freely and voluntarily and that the statements herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this _______________ day of ____________, 20 at ________________, Philippines.

Affiant
(Printed Name and Signature)

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this _______________ day of ____________, 20 at ________________, Philippines, affiant exhibiting to me his/her Philippine Passport No. ____________ issued on _______________ at _______________ as competent evidence of identity.

Notary Public
Until ________________
PTR No. _______________
Issued on _______________ at _______________
IBP No. _______________
Roll of Attorneys No. _______________

Doc. No. _____;
Page No. _____;
Book No. _;
Series of 20.

Execution and Notarization
The affidavit must be signed in the presence of a duly commissioned notary public within the Philippines. Remote notarization under the 2020 Revised Rules on Notarization is permitted only when the affiant cannot appear personally due to valid reasons and when all security protocols are observed. After notarization, the document is immediately binding. Multiple copies should be prepared: one original for the BI or embassy, one for the sponsor’s records, and one for the traveler.

Submission and Processing
For visa applications abroad, the AOSG is submitted to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate having jurisdiction over the traveler’s residence, together with the visa application form and other requirements. At the airport or seaport upon arrival, immigration officers may request the original or a certified copy if secondary inspection is triggered. For visa extensions inside the Philippines, the AOSG is filed at the BI Main Office or its field offices together with the Extension Application Form. Processing time at consulates varies from three to ten working days; BI extensions are normally acted upon within one to three working days upon complete submission.

Common Scenarios Requiring AOSG

First-time travelers from countries with high overstay statistics.
Minors or elderly visitors traveling without parents or adult children.
Medical tourism or treatment cases.
Long-term family visits exceeding thirty days.
Repeat visitors previously flagged for insufficient funds.
Applications for conversion from visa-free entry to 9(a) visa.

Potential Issues and Best Practices
Sponsors must avoid generic or boilerplate language that fails to specify duration or financial details; such affidavits are frequently rejected. Financial documents must be current (issued within three months) and must demonstrate capacity to support the visitor without straining the sponsor’s own household. Any material misrepresentation may lead to the visitor’s denial of entry, the sponsor’s inclusion in a watch list, or criminal charges for falsification under the Revised Penal Code. Travelers are advised to carry an extra copy of the notarized AOSG and supporting documents in their hand-carried luggage. Sponsors should retain photocopies of all submitted papers and monitor the visitor’s departure to avoid future complications.

The Affidavit of Support and Guarantee remains one of the most effective and widely accepted instruments for facilitating legitimate travel to the Philippines while upholding the integrity of the country’s immigration system. Its proper preparation, execution, and submission directly influence the success of any temporary visitor’s application.