Affidavit of Support & Guarantee (ASG) for Sponsored Travel Abroad
Philippine legal framework, practice, and practical guidance (updated to 1 May 2025)
1. What the document is
| Term | Common names | Essence |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit of Support & Guarantee (ASG) | “Affidavit of Support,” “Letter of Invitation & Guarantee,” “Sponsorship Affidavit” | A sworn statement, executed by a person domiciled or admitted abroad, declaring that they will (a) support the Filipino traveler for the duration of the trip and (b) guarantee the latter’s return/repatriation and compliance with the host country’s laws. The ASG is presented to Philippine immigration officers as proof that the traveler will not become a public charge or seek unauthorized work abroad. |
Although primarily invoked at departure, the same instrument is accepted by Philippine consular posts when a visa-required country asks for “proof of subsistence,” so one document can often serve two checkpoints.
2. Legal basis & policy evolution
| Issuance / statute | Key points | Effect on ASG practice |
|---|---|---|
| Constitution, Art. II §3 | The State protects labor & promotes rights of overseas workers. | The State may impose reasonable exit controls. |
| RA 9208 (2003) – Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended by RA 10364 (2013) & RA 11862 (2022) | Imposes duties on frontline agencies “to intercept potential trafficking victims.” | BI may require additional proof of purpose/funds—hence ASG for sponsored trips. |
| IACAT Revised Guidelines on Departure Formalities (Joint DOJ-BI-DFA-DOTC-DOLE 2012; revised 2015; updated Aug 2023 but implementation paused Sept 2023) |
Classifies passengers by purpose (tourist, OFW, etc.) and lists documentary triggers (including sponsorship). | ASG is only mandatory when the traveler declares sponsorship or fails to show independent capacity. |
| BI Operations Order SBM-2015-024 | Formalizes ASG contents, authentication standards, six-month validity. | Codifies what IOs may accept or reject. |
| BI Memorandum Circular JHM-2021-009 (post-Apostille Accession) | Treats Apostille certification as functionally equivalent to consular “red-ribbon.” | ASG notarized abroad + Apostille = accepted. |
| DSWD Administrative Order 12-2017 (minors) | Minors (below 18) traveling without parents require DSWD Travel Clearance plus ASG if sponsored. | ASG does not replace DSWD clearance. |
Status-quo (May 2025): The paused 2023 IACAT guidelines would have relaxed some ASG use, but pending re-draft they are not in force. Immigration inspectors therefore still follow SBM-2015-024.
3. Who must present an ASG?
| Scenario | Is ASG required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult tourist self-funding | No, unless IO doubts capacity. | Show bank statements, COE, etc. |
| Adult tourist sponsored by relative up to 4th civil degree (e.g., sibling, cousin, uncle, in-laws) or by fiancé/fiancée | Yes. | Blood relation not an exemption. |
| Sponsored by employer abroad for training/meeting without POEA contract | Yes (tourist classification). | Consider getting a B-1/B-2 visa if US; ASG still asked on exit. |
| Contracted OFW with validated OEC | No. | POEA/OEC supersedes. |
| Minor child traveling alone or with non-parent | ASG + DSWD clearance | Sponsor may be parent abroad. |
| Diplomatic/official passport holder | No | Agency guarantee letter suffices. |
4. Minimum contents & form
Complete identity of sponsor
Full name, citizenship, passport/ID no., legal status in host country (e.g., “permanent resident,” “H-1B holder”).Complete identity of beneficiary
Name, sex, birth date, PH passport no.Relationship clause
“The undersigned is the lawful [relationship] of the traveler.”
If not related: state bona fide purpose (e.g., cultural exchange host).Undertakings
- Financial support for board, lodging, and “any and all incidental expenses.”
- Guarantee of repatriation or return airfare.
- Compliance with immigration & labor laws—no unauthorized work.
Trip details
Intended dates, address abroad.Signature & notarization
- Must be executed in the host country in front of a local notary/commissioner.
- Authentication:
- Countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention (PH acceded 14 May 2019): Apostille sticker.
- Non-Apostille states: Consularization at nearest PH embassy/consulate (“red ribbon”).
Optional but persuasive:
- Copy of sponsor’s passport/ID & residence visa/permit.
- Proof of income (payslip, tax return, bank cert).
Validity: 6 months from notarization, single-use unless multi-entry guarantee explicitly stated.
5. Step-by-step preparation
- Draft the affidavit (many embassies post templates; a plain-language form also works).
- Notarize before a local notary.
- Authenticate (Apostille or consular red-ribbon).
- Courier originals to the Philippines (BI accepts the physical original only; photocopies are rejected unless BI Duty Supervisor waives for emergency repatriation).
- Traveler keeps the original in carry-on and presents at the primary immigration counter.
- If referred to secondary inspection, traveler may need:
- Photocopy of sponsor’s valid ID/passport.
- Proof of relationship (birth certificates, marriage cert).
- Return e-ticket.
- Daily itinerary / hotel or address of sponsor.
6. Common rejection grounds & cures
| Ground | Why IO rejects | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| Unsigned or scan/photocopy only | BI requires original wet-ink signature. | Send original via courier or travel later. |
| No Apostille/red-ribbon | Authenticity cannot be presumed. | Have sponsor secure proper authentication. |
| Sponsor lacks legal stay | Tourist sponsor cannot legally host long-term. | Provide sponsor’s residence permit or show shorter itinerary. |
| Vague relationship | Trafficking red flag. | Bring PSA birth/marriage docs; if friend, attach evidence of prior friendship (emails, photos). |
| Out-of-date (older than 6 months) | Presumed stale. | Execute new ASG. |
7. Frequently-asked-questions
1. Is an ASG always demanded?
No. Immigration Officers retain discretion; adults with clear self-funding often pass without it. However, absence of ASG when sponsorship is disclosed nearly always triggers secondary inspection.
2. Can the sponsor be a corporation?
Yes—common for training or pageants. The ASG must be signed by an authorized officer with a board resolution or secretary’s certificate.
3. Does the document need to be in English?
Yes, or accompanied by an English translation duly notarized and Apostilled/consularized.
4. What if the host country is the United Arab Emirates, which itself requires a local “Affidavit of Support” for visa processing?
The UAE-side affidavit serves foreign immigration/visa purposes; the Philippine BI still insists on an ASG addressed to the Government of the Philippines. A dual-format affidavit often meets both.
5. Does an ASG guarantee I will be allowed to depart?
No. It satisfies one documentary requirement; final clearance still depends on holistic assessment (purpose, funds, prior travel, derogatory records, watchlists).
8. Practical drafting tips (2025 practice notes)
- Use clear letterhead with sponsor’s complete foreign address and phone.
- Include a QR-coded passport copy on the last page—helpful for IOs’ quick check.
- Phrase undertakings in peso equivalents in parentheses; IOs are comfortable with PHP figures.
- Never mention or imply that the traveler will “seek employment”—even if eventual goal is to find a job.
9. Penalties & liabilities
| Violation | Statute breached | Sanctions |
|---|---|---|
| False statements in ASG | Art. 171 RPC (Falsification); possible RA 9208 if linked to trafficking | 6 mos.–6 yrs. + fines; permanent watch-list. |
| Facilitating exit without required docs | RA 9208 (Sec. 4) | 15 yrs.–life + ₱1 M–₱5 M fine. |
| IO allowing clearance despite obvious deficiency | Administrative liability; dismissal, graft. |
Sponsors abroad can be indicted in absentia for trafficking if ASG is used to conceal illegal recruitment.
10. Future developments to watch
Re-drafted IACAT Guidelines (expected late 2025):
Consultation indicates shift to risk-based screening; ASG likely retained but with digital submission option.Full digital Apostille verification through e-APP:
DFA Manila began onboarding 2024—BI kiosks may soon verify QR-Apostilles online, reducing the insistence on physical originals.Reciprocity issues:
Talks within ASEAN to streamline intra-ASEAN travel could lessen ASG use for travel to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand by 2026.
Key take-away
Bring it if you are sponsored.
A properly executed Affidavit of Support & Guarantee — original, Apostilled/consularized, not older than six months, and backed by proof of relationship — is the simplest way to avoid off-loading when your trip depends on someone else’s pocket.
Keep copies of all supporting papers, answer questions truthfully but concisely, and remember that the IO’s mandate is anti-trafficking, not harassment. Understanding the ASG’s legal basis and preparing it correctly transforms it from a hurdle into straightforward paperwork.