Introduction
The Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (ASG)—often shortened to simply Affidavit of Support—is a sworn declaration executed by a Filipino citizen, permanent resident, or duly qualified corporation/organization (the “sponsor”) pledging that they will:
- Financially support a foreign national, dependent, or minor for the duration of that person’s stay in the Philippines; and
- Guarantee the sponsored traveler’s compliance with Philippine immigration laws, including the cost of fines, penalties, or repatriation if required.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) treats the ASG as a risk-mitigation instrument: it shifts the fiscal burden of a foreigner’s unexpected expenses away from the Philippine government and toward a private guarantor. Because it is a sworn instrument, the sponsor may face civil or even criminal liability (false testimony, estafa) if the statements prove untrue.
Scope note: An ASG is distinct from the Affidavit of Consent & Support to Travel Abroad required by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for minors leaving the Philippines, although both share many drafting conventions.
1. Legal Foundations
| Authority | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (C.A. 613) | §29 & §36 empower the BI Commissioner to require “such further proof of financial capacity as may be deemed necessary.” |
| BI Memorandum Circulars (e.g., SBM-2015-010, JHM-2017-002, et al.) | Formalize the ASG as a supporting document for tourist-visa extensions, student visas, special resident visas, and certain waiver applications. |
| Notarial Law (R.A. 9344 / 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice) | Sets form and authentication requirements for affidavits executed in the Philippines. |
| Rule 132, Rules of Court (Evidence) | Governs admissibility of sworn statements. |
| Executive Order 292, Book VII, §6 | Allows BI to prescribe its own documentary formats so long as they are not inconsistent with statute. |
2. When the BI Requires an ASG
| Common BI Transactions | Applicant | Typical Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary visitor (9(a)) visa extension beyond 59 days | Foreign national | Filipino spouse, company, or tour operator |
| Special Student Permit (SSP) / 47(a)(2) Student Visa | Foreign minor/student | School or parent |
| Dependent inclusion in SRRV, 13(a/b/g), or EO 226 | Spouse/child of principal visa holder | Principal applicant |
| Order to Leave waiver or lifting of exclusion | Inadmissible passenger | Airline or relative |
| Provisional Work Permit (PWP) | Foreign employee awaiting 9(g) | Employer |
Practice tip: Ask the BI frontline officer whether an ASG is mandatory or merely advisable for your specific transaction—requirements evolve via BI Operations Orders.
3. Essential Parts of the Document
Title – AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT AND GUARANTEE
Affiant’s Personal Circumstances – Name, age, civil status, citizenship, passport/PhilID number, residence.
Relationship Clause – Explains the legal or factual link to the beneficiary (e.g., “I am the lawful husband of…”).
Financial Capacity Statement – Specifics: occupation/business, monthly income, bank accounts, assets.
Undertakings
- To defray living, medical, and travel expenses.
- To guarantee departure when required.
- To pay fines, deportation costs, and other liabilities.
Validity Period – Usually tied to the visa being sought (e.g., “effective during the entire stay but not beyond 12 months from execution”).
Signature & Government-Issued ID Number
Notarial Acknowledgment – With documentary stamp taxes (₱30 per original).
4. Documentary Attachments (BI may request originals & photocopies)
| Attachment | Typical Acceptance Standard |
|---|---|
| Proof of income (bank certificate ≤30 days old, latest ITR, payslips, land titles, corporate audited FS, etc.) | Shows capacity ≥₱100,000 or amount reasonably commensurate to stay |
| Proof of relationship (PSA birth/marriage certificate, adoption decree, corporate board resolution) | Clear evidentiary link |
| Sponsor’s valid government ID | Passport, PRC, UMID, PhilID |
| Beneficiary’s passport bio page | For identity cross-check |
5. Formalities & Authentication
| Scenario | Where to Execute | Authentication Required |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor in the Philippines | Before Philippine notary public | Notarial seal + Doc stamps |
| Sponsor abroad | At Philippine Embassy/Consulate | Consular authentication (red-ribbon/Apostille) |
| Corporate sponsor | Board resolution + Secretary’s Certificate | Same as above |
Digital notarization under the 2020 Interim Notarial Rules is not yet accepted by BI for ASG.
6. Filing Procedure (Illustrative for a visa-extension)
- Prepare ASG and all attachments in 1 original + 2 photocopies.
- Secure notarization/consularization; affix documentary-stamp tax.
- Staple attachments behind the original. Mark page numbers at bottom-right.
- During BI Frontline filing, present ASG with the visa application packet. The ASG is retained by BI; keep a photocopy stamped “RECEIVED”.
- Pay any legal research fee (₱10) if assessed.
7. Sample Format / Template
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
____________________________ ) S.S.
AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT AND GUARANTEE
I, JUAN D. DELA CRUZ, of legal age, married, Filipino, holding
Passport No. P1234567A, and residing at 123 Mabini Street, Ermita,
Manila, after having been duly sworn, depose and state:
1. That I am the lawful husband of MS. MARIE CLAIRE DELA CRUZ, a
French national born 05 May 1995, holder of Passport No. 98AB7654;
2. That I am engaged as a Senior Software Engineer earning an average
gross monthly income of **ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS
(₱150,000.00)**, exclusive of bonuses, as evidenced by the attached
Certificate of Employment and bank certificate;
3. That I hereby undertake to:
a. provide full financial support for the living, medical, and
incidental expenses of the aforesaid beneficiary during her stay
in the Philippines;
b. guarantee her faithful compliance with all Philippine
immigration laws, rules, and regulations, and
c. shoulder without reservation the cost of any fines, penalties,
or repatriation that may be imposed upon or required of her;
4. That this Affidavit shall remain valid for the entire duration of
her authorized stay, including any approved extension, but shall in
no case exceed twelve (12) months from the date of execution; and
5. That I am executing this Affidavit to attest to the truth of the
foregoing and for presentation to the Bureau of Immigration and
other agencies that may require it.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
___ day of __________ 20___ in Manila, Philippines.
(SGD.) __________________________
JUAN D. DELA CRUZ
Affiant
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___ day of __________ 20___ at
Manila, Philippines. Affiant exhibited his Passport No. P1234567A
issued on 01 June 2024 at DFA Manila.
Doc. No. _____;
Page No. _____;
Book No. _____;
Series of 20___.8. Practical Drafting Tips
| Tip | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Be specific with figures | “₱150,000 monthly” is stronger than “comfortable income.” |
| Attach current proofs | BI sometimes rejects bank certificates older than 30 days. |
| Match the applicant’s BI form | The BI Tourist Visa Extension Form (TVE-1) has a field asking for “Sponsor.” Use identical spelling to avoid mismatches. |
| Avoid absolute language | Over-promising (“I guarantee lifetime support”) can create unintended liability. |
| Check for multiple beneficiaries | If you are supporting several family members, list them each in paragraph 1—or execute separate affidavits. |
9. Common Pitfalls
- Unsigned or undated exhibits – BI will mark the filing “Incomplete.”
- Mismatched names – The sponsor’s name on the ASG must match their ID exactly.
- Use of general power of attorney – BI prefers direct affidavits; a representative cannot sign for the sponsor unless the GPA is consularized and includes an express authority to execute an ASG.
- Failure to include guarantee language – An affidavit that only promises financial support, without the undertaking to pay penalties/repatriation, is defective.
- Notarial errors – Missing documentary stamp, expired notary commission, wrong venue.
10. Validity & Enforcement
- Administrative – The BI may revoke a visa if the ASG is later found fraudulent.
- Civil – The Bureau or the Republic of the Philippines may sue the sponsor for reimbursement under quasi-contract (Article 2142, Civil Code).
- Criminal – False statements are punishable under Art. 171, Revised Penal Code (Falsification of Documents) and Art. 172 (Use of Falsified Document).
Conclusion
The Affidavit of Support and Guarantee is deceptively simple but carries significant legal weight. A well-drafted ASG follows the BI-preferred structure: clear identity, demonstrable capacity, explicit undertakings, proper notarization, and updated attachments. Sponsors should treat the document with the same care they would give any binding financial obligation—and visa applicants should double-check that every paragraph aligns with the Bureau’s latest memorandum circulars.