1) Why this topic matters

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) often travel from the Philippines with a companion—commonly a spouse, child, parent, partner, or friend—either:

Returning to the jobsite abroad (the OFW is a returning worker), or
Going on leave as a tourist (the OFW is traveling for vacation), or
Bringing someone to visit or stay temporarily in the OFW’s host country.

In practice, companions—especially those who are unemployed, first-time travelers, or largely sponsored—may be asked to present proof of financial capacity, relationship, and legitimate travel purpose at airline check-in, during visa processing (if applicable), and at Philippine immigration departure inspection. An Affidavit of Support is a common supporting document for these purposes.

2) What an “Affidavit of Support” is in Philippine use

In Philippine practice, an Affidavit of Support is a sworn statement where a sponsor (here, often the OFW) declares they will shoulder some or all travel-related expenses of the traveler (the companion), and may also include assurances such as accommodation, return arrangements, and lawful compliance.

You may also encounter the term Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG). People use these labels loosely. The key is not the title but the substance: the sworn undertakings and the sponsor’s proof that they can actually fund them.

Important clarification

There is no single, universal “Affidavit of Support requirement” in Philippine law that automatically applies to every departing Filipino traveler or to every OFW. Instead, the affidavit is typically used as supporting evidence when a traveler’s funding and circumstances are being assessed.

3) Legal and regulatory backdrop (Philippine context)

a) Authority to inspect departing passengers

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has authority to implement departure formalities and to examine whether passengers meet documentary requirements and are not being trafficked, illegally recruited, or misrepresenting the purpose of travel. This authority is generally anchored in immigration law and delegated administrative powers.

b) Anti-trafficking and illegal recruitment policy environment

Philippine departure screening is heavily influenced by state policy against:

Trafficking in persons, and
Illegal recruitment / unlawful overseas employment arrangements.

This policy environment affects how immigration officers evaluate companions who appear vulnerable (e.g., no job, unclear funding, inconsistent story, questionable sponsor relationship). An affidavit may help, but it does not override an officer’s assessment if red flags remain.

c) Notarization rules matter

Because an affidavit is sworn, its credibility depends on proper execution under Philippine notarial rules (personal appearance, competent proof of identity, notarial seal/jurat, etc.). A poorly executed “affidavit” can be treated as low-value or even suspicious.

4) When an Affidavit of Support is commonly requested or helpful

An affidavit is most relevant when the companion is sponsored or only partially self-funded. Common scenarios include:

Scenario 1: OFW (returning worker) + companion traveling as visitor/tourist

OFW: returning to employment abroad (work visa/residence status).
Companion: traveling on a tourist/visit visa or visa-free entry (depending on destination rules).
Why the affidavit helps: companion may need to show who will pay for the trip, where they will stay, and why they will return.

Scenario 2: OFW on vacation + companion (both tourists)

The OFW may still be sponsoring the companion’s costs.
Immigration questions may focus on the companion’s ties and funding.

Scenario 3: Companion is a first-time traveler, unemployed, or has low funds

A sponsor affidavit plus strong supporting documents becomes more important.

Scenario 4: Relationship is not straightforward (e.g., fiancé/partner, friend)

The affidavit alone is rarely enough; proof of relationship and consistent travel narrative become critical.

Scenario 5: Minor child traveling with/without parents

Affidavit of support may be relevant, but DSWD travel clearance and parental consent documents may be the deciding requirements (see Section 10).

5) When an Affidavit of Support is usually not the main requirement

a) OFW departing for overseas employment (new hire)

If the OFW is departing to work (especially a new deployment), the dominant requirement set is typically under labor migration processes (e.g., appropriate clearances and documentation for overseas employment). In that setting, an affidavit of support is not the core document.

b) Companion is fully self-funded with strong proof

If the companion has stable employment, adequate funds, and clear itinerary, an affidavit may be optional and sometimes unnecessary.

6) Core “requirements” in real-world practice: three moving parts

Think of the “affidavit of support requirements” as three layers:

Layer A: The OFW’s own departure category (employment vs. tourist)

The OFW should be clear and consistent about whether they are:

Returning to work, or
Traveling as a tourist.

This affects what the OFW will naturally present (e.g., proof of ongoing overseas employment vs. tourist itinerary). Confusion here can spill over onto the companion’s evaluation.

Layer B: The companion’s admissibility as a traveler (purpose + funding + ties)

A companion is commonly assessed on:

Purpose of travel (visit, tourism, short stay)
Funding (self-funded vs sponsored)
Ties to the Philippines (job, schooling, business, dependents, property, prior travel history)
Consistency (answers match documents)

Layer C: The affidavit itself (form + content + supporting proof)

A strong affidavit is not just a notarized promise. It is a sworn statement supported by documents that make the promise believable.

7) What the Affidavit of Support should contain (Philippine drafting checklist)

A practical affidavit usually includes:

a) Parties and identifying details

Sponsor’s full name, civil status, citizenship, address (abroad and/or in PH)
Sponsor’s passport number (and possibly foreign residence permit/ID number)
Traveler’s full name, civil status, address, passport number

b) Relationship between sponsor and companion

State the relationship clearly:

Spouse (include marriage details)
Parent/child (include birth details)
Sibling
Partner/fiancé (explain nature and length of relationship)
Friend (explain how known, why sponsoring)

c) Travel details

Destination country/city
Travel dates (departure/return)
Flight details (if available)
Accommodation details (hotel address or host address abroad)
Purpose (tourism, family visit, attending an event, etc.)

d) Support undertaking (the “support” part)

Specify what the sponsor will pay:

Airfare (full/partial)
Lodging
Meals and daily expenses
Local transportation
Travel insurance
Medical contingency
Return trip cost

e) Guarantee/assurances (optional but common)

Companion will comply with the terms of the visa/entry
Companion will return to the Philippines at the end of the visit
Sponsor will shoulder repatriation costs if needed

f) Sponsor’s capacity statement

Sponsor’s employment abroad (job title, employer, location)
Approximate monthly income
Confirmation that the sponsor can shoulder the stated expenses

g) Execution clause

Place and date of execution
Signature of affiant/sponsor
Notarial jurat/acknowledgment (depending on format used)

8) Supporting documents usually attached to make the affidavit credible

An affidavit is strongest when paired with documentary proof. Common attachments:

For the OFW sponsor

Copy of passport bio page
Proof of legal status abroad (as applicable): work visa, residence permit, ID card
Proof of employment/income:
- Employment certificate or contract excerpt
- Recent payslips
- Bank statements (showing capacity consistent with the undertaking)
- Remittance receipts (optional)
Proof of residence abroad:
- Lease, utility bill, or official correspondence showing address
If the companion will stay with the OFW:
- Proof of accommodation and address (and sometimes proof the sponsor can host)

For the companion traveler

Passport bio page
Visa (if required) or proof of eligibility (if visa-free)
Roundtrip ticket or proof of onward travel (when applicable)
Hotel booking or host details
Proof of ties to the Philippines (very helpful when sponsored):
- Certificate of employment / company ID / approved leave
- School enrollment and ID (if student)
- Business registration / permits (if self-employed)
- Proof of dependents (if relevant)
Travel insurance (destination-dependent but often helpful)

For relationship proof

Spouse: PSA marriage certificate
Parent/child: PSA birth certificate
Siblings: PSA birth certificates showing common parent(s)
Partner/fiancé: selected evidence (avoid oversharing; focus on credible, relevant documents)
Photos together can help, but official civil registry documents are stronger where available

9) Notarization and execution: doing it correctly

A) If the affidavit is signed in the Philippines

The sponsor should personally appear before the notary public.
The sponsor must present valid IDs.
The notary completes the jurat/acknowledgment, signs, seals, and records it in the notarial register.

Practical point: Affidavits signed “by courier” or notarized without personal appearance can be questioned.

B) If the OFW sponsor is abroad

Common options:

Execute at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate (consularized affidavit).
- Often the cleanest option for acceptance in the Philippines.
Execute before a local notary abroad, then authenticate as required for cross-border use (commonly via apostille if applicable, or legalization depending on the country’s system).

Because the destination and the place of use (Philippines, airline check-in, foreign embassy, etc.) can affect what authentication is expected, the safest approach is to ensure the document is executed in a way that is commonly accepted in Philippine transactions.

10) Special case: minors traveling as companions

If the companion is a minor, the key issues often shift from “affidavit of support” to child travel authority:

If a minor travels with both parents, requirements are usually straightforward.
If a minor travels with only one parent, or without parents, additional consents and possibly DSWD Travel Clearance may be required depending on custody and the traveling adult’s relationship to the child.

An affidavit of support may still be included, but it does not replace child protection and consent requirements.

11) Immigration screening realities: what an affidavit can and cannot do

What it can do

Explain funding when the traveler is sponsored.
Support the legitimacy of the trip when consistent with other documents.
Provide a structured, sworn narrative that matches the itinerary and relationship.

What it cannot do

It does not guarantee departure clearance.
It does not cure inconsistencies (e.g., mismatched dates, vague purpose, contradictory answers).
It does not replace required visas, return tickets (where demanded), or mandatory clearances.

12) Red flags that often trigger deeper questioning (and how an affidavit fits)

Even with an affidavit, these commonly increase scrutiny:

Companion has no employment/schooling/business and cannot explain ties to the Philippines.
Companion has little to no funds and sponsor documents are weak or missing.
Relationship is unclear or unsupported by credible proof.
Itinerary is vague (no clear accommodations, no credible plan).
Answers sound coached or inconsistent with documents.
Sponsor’s capacity is doubtful (e.g., low bank balances but promises to pay everything).

In these cases, a stronger documentary pack matters more than simply producing a notarized paper.

13) Legal risk: false affidavits and document fraud

Because an affidavit is sworn:

Deliberate false statements can expose parties to criminal liability (e.g., perjury and related offenses).
Using forged or falsified documents can lead to serious criminal exposure and travel consequences.
Misrepresentation during immigration inspection can result in denial of departure and records that may affect future travel.

14) Practical templates: clause outline (non-exhaustive)

A typical structure:

Title: “Affidavit of Support” (or “Affidavit of Support and Undertaking”)
Affiant details: sponsor identity and address
Traveler details: companion identity and passport
Relationship statement
Trip details: destination, dates, purpose
Undertaking: list expenses sponsor will shoulder
Capacity statement: employment/income summary
Optional guarantee: compliance and return
Signature block
Jurat/Acknowledgment (notarial portion)

15) Best-practice document pack for an OFW sponsoring a companion (quick checklist)

Notarized/consularized affidavit of support
OFW passport + proof of legal status abroad
Proof of OFW income (payslips/bank statements)
Proof of accommodation abroad (if companion will stay with OFW)
Proof of relationship (PSA documents where possible)
Companion’s passport + visa (if needed)
Roundtrip/onward ticket + itinerary + bookings
Proof of companion’s ties to PH (employment/school/business)

16) Key takeaways

In the Philippines, an Affidavit of Support for an OFW’s travel companion is best understood as a supporting document used to demonstrate who funds the trip and why the travel is legitimate and temporary. Its effectiveness depends less on the affidavit’s title and more on (1) correct notarization/execution, (2) consistency of the travel narrative, and (3) strong proof of the sponsor’s capacity and the companion’s ties and purpose.