Executive Summary

For Filipino tourists bound for Thailand, an Affidavit of Support (AOS)—sometimes called an Affidavit of Undertaking or Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG)—is not a Thai visa or entry requirement. It is, however, a Philippine-side supporting document that may be requested by Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at departure when the traveler’s trip is “sponsored” (e.g., expenses paid by a relative or friend) or when the passenger appears unable to self-fund the trip. In short:

Thailand: Filipinos visiting for short tourism stays are typically visa-exempt; Thai officers may check funds, tickets, and accommodation—not an AOS.
Philippine exit controls: BI may ask for proof of financial capacity; if the trip is sponsored, an AOS is a prudent document to carry, though not automatically mandatory for all travelers.
Minors and vulnerable travelers: Documentation is stricter; an AOS may be effectively necessary alongside other clearances.

Why There’s Confusion

Two different authorities look at your trip:

Thai Immigration (arrival): Focused on entry eligibility (passport validity, visa/visa-exemption, onward ticket, sufficient funds, accommodation).
Philippine Bureau of Immigration (departure): Screens for human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and fraudulent travel. BI may examine whether you can afford your travel or are being sponsored—hence the relevance of an AOS.

Is an Affidavit of Support Required?

For most ordinary, self-funded tourists

No. If you can show you can pay for your trip (employment, bank statements, credit cards, bookings), an AOS is generally unnecessary.

For sponsored travelers (adult)

Not per se mandatory, but often expected if:
- You are unemployed/underemployed or a first-time traveler and expenses are paid by someone else;
- The sponsor is not traveling with you;
- Your overall profile triggers additional scrutiny (e.g., inconsistent purpose, vague itinerary).
Practical tip: If any red flags apply, carry a well-prepared AOS plus corroborating evidence.

For minors (under 18)

Requirements are stricter. Depending on who they travel with, authorities commonly require:
- DSWD Travel Clearance (when traveling without either parent or with a non-parent companion),
- Consent/authorization from parents, and
- AOS if the minor’s travel is sponsored by a relative/friend or if support needs to be documented.
Expect to present parents’ IDs, proof of relationship, and sponsor’s financial capacity.

Thailand Entry Snapshot (Tourism)

Visa: Filipinos are generally visa-exempt for short stays as tourists.
At arrival, Thai officers may ask for:
- Onward or return ticket within the allowed stay;
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host’s address/letter of invitation);
- Sufficient funds (Thai officers sometimes check that tourists can support themselves during the stay);
- Purpose-consistent documents (e.g., itinerary).
No AOS is required by Thailand for entry. The AOS is a Philippine-side safeguard.

When BI Typically Looks for an AOS

Traveler is clearly sponsored and cannot demonstrate personal funding.
Sponsor is a foreign national or a non-immediate relative, especially if not traveling with the passenger.
First-time international travel with thin documentation (no bank history, no employment proof).
Inconsistencies in story, itinerary, or financials.
Minors and other vulnerable categories (e.g., recently acquainted online partners, job-hunting narratives masked as tourism).

Remember: BI officers exercise discretion. An AOS does not guarantee departure, but it helps show that your travel has legitimate funding and oversight.

What a Strong AOS Should Contain

Title: “Affidavit of Support and Undertaking” (or similar).
Affiant/Sponsor Details: Full name, nationality, civil status, passport/ID number, address, contact info.
Relationship to Traveler: Spouse/parent/sibling/relative/friend; brief background on the relationship and how/when you met (when not immediate family).
Undertaking:
- To shoulder travel expenses (airfare, accommodation, daily subsistence, insurance) for the specified trip;
- To ensure traveler abides by Thai laws and returns to the Philippines before/at the end of authorized stay;
- To hold the sponsor responsible for repatriation or unforeseen expenses, if necessary (as a guarantee).
Travel Particulars: Intended dates, cities, accommodation, and purpose (tourism, family visit).
Financial Capacity Statement: Sponsor’s occupation/income and a statement of ability to support the traveler.
Documentary Attachments (enumerated in the AOS):
- Sponsor’s government ID and passport bio page;
- Proof of income (employment certificate/contract; recent payslips; bank statements);
- If residing abroad, residence card/visa; if in Thailand, Thai address and possibly copy of entry stamp/visa;
- Proof of relationship (birth/marriage certificates) or evidence of genuine connection (photos, communication logs) for non-relatives.
Notarization/Jurat: Properly notarized (and apostilled or consularized if executed outside the Philippines).
Date and place of execution, signature of sponsor (and witness/es if required).

Notarization, Apostille, and Where to Execute the AOS

If sponsor is in the Philippines: Execute before a Philippine notary public.
If sponsor is abroad:
- Execute before a local notary and obtain an Apostille (if the country is part of the Apostille Convention), or
- Execute at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate (which issues a consularized document).
Keep originals and clear copies; travelers should hand-carry at least one original and multiple photocopies.

Complementary Documents to Carry (Sponsored Trips)

Alongside the AOS, bring a tidy document pack:

Traveler’s documents:
- Passport (valid well beyond travel period), confirmed roundtrip ticket, hotel bookings or host’s address, travel insurance, daily itinerary.
- Personal bank statements (even if sponsored), work/leave documents (if employed), business papers (if self-employed), or school documents (if student).
Sponsor’s documents:
- Government ID and passport copy, proof of funds/income, employment certificate/contract, proof of accommodation in Thailand (lease, hotel booking, or utility bill if hosting).
- Proof of relationship/genuine ties to the traveler.
For minors: DSWD Travel Clearance (if applicable) and parental consent letters with IDs.
For couples/fiancés: Evidence of relationship history; be prepared to explain the trip’s purpose succinctly and consistently.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Thinking the AOS alone guarantees departure. It doesn’t. Ensure your story, itinerary, and documents align.
Vague or generic AOS. Put exact dates, places, and an explicit undertaking to shoulder defined expenses.
No proof of the sponsor’s ability to pay. Attach income and bank evidence.
Last-minute execution. Secure notarization/apostille well before your flight.
Ignoring the traveler’s own ties to the Philippines. Employment, business, school enrollment, family responsibilities, and property help demonstrate intent to return.
Inconsistent answers at the counter. Practice a clear, honest, and concise explanation of your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) If I can pay for my own trip, do I need an AOS? No. Self-funded travelers with standard proofs (income, bank records, bookings) generally don’t need an AOS.

2) If my boyfriend/girlfriend in Thailand is paying, is the AOS required? Not automatically—but it’s wise to bring one, plus proof of relationship and the sponsor’s finances. Scrutiny is often higher for non-immediate relatives and romantic partners.

3) Does Thailand ask for the AOS on arrival? No. Thai officers look at entry eligibility (ticket, funds, accommodation). The AOS is principally a Philippine departure support document.

4) What if my sponsor is a Thai national or a non-Filipino? That’s fine. The sponsor should still execute the AOS (notarized and apostilled/consularized if executed outside the Philippines) and provide proof of identity and financial capacity.

5) How much money should be shown at Thai immigration? Amounts can vary by practice. Be prepared to show sufficient funds for your stay (cash/accessible funds) consistent with your itinerary, plus return ticket and bookings.

6) How long is an AOS valid? There’s no fixed statutory validity; it should match your travel dates. If plans change (e.g., rebooked flights), consider executing an updated AOS.

7) Will BI keep my AOS? BI may inspect and sometimes retain photocopies. Keep spares.

Model Affidavit of Support and Undertaking (Template)

AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT AND UNDERTAKING I, [Full Name of Sponsor], of legal age, [civil status], [nationality], holding [Passport/ID No.], with residence at [Full Address], after being duly sworn, depose and state:

That I am the [relationship] of [Traveler’s Full Name], a Filipino citizen, born on [DOB], holder of Philippine Passport No. [number].

That [Traveler’s Name] will travel to Thailand from [date] to [date] for [purpose, e.g., tourism/family visit], with intended itinerary in [cities] and accommodation at [address/hotel].

That I undertake to shoulder the following expenses of the said travel: [airfare, accommodation, daily subsistence, internal transportation, travel insurance, and other incidental expenses].

That I possess sufficient financial capacity to support said travel, as evidenced by [employment/business details, income, bank statements] attached hereto.

That I undertake to ensure compliance by [Traveler’s Name] with the laws, rules, and regulations of Thailand and the Philippines, and that [he/she/they] shall return to the Philippines within the authorized period.

That I agree to guarantee any unforeseen or emergency expenses reasonably arising from the trip, including repatriation if necessary.

That this Affidavit is executed to attest to my support and undertaking and to be presented to authorities as may be required.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [date] at [city, country].

[Signature over Printed Name of Sponsor] Contact No./Email: [details]

JURAT / ACKNOWLEDGMENT Subscribed and sworn to before me this [date], affiant exhibiting [ID/Passport No.] issued on [date] at [place].

[Notary Public] Doc. No. ___; Page No. ___; Book No. ___; Series of ___.

(Adapt as needed; if executed outside the Philippines, have it apostilled or consularized.)

Practical Checklist (Sponsored Tourist to Thailand)

Passport (valid well beyond travel period)
Roundtrip ticket and itinerary
Accommodation proof (hotel/host address)
Travel insurance
Affidavit of Support (if sponsored)
Sponsor’s ID/passport copy + proof of funds/income
Proof of relationship/genuine connection
Personal bank statements or accessible funds
Employment/leave or school documents (to show ties to the Philippines)
For minors: DSWD Travel Clearance and parental consents/IDs

Bottom Line

Thailand won’t ask for your AOS.
Philippine BI might—especially for sponsored trips or if you can’t readily prove self-funding.
Carrying a properly executed AOS with strong attachments is a smart, low-cost way to reduce the risk of delays or denial at departure.

This article provides general information for Philippine travelers and is not a substitute for tailored legal advice. Requirements and practices can change; always review your specific circumstances and prepare a conservative, well-documented file.