Requirements for Minors Traveling Alone
Learn the requirements and travel guidelines for minors traveling alone, including Unaccompanied Minor (UM) Service, Travel Clearances, and special requirements for minors traveling from Davao.
Overview
Description
| AGE | DOMESTIC | INTERNATIONAL |
| 7–11 years old | Allowed, but requires Unaccompanied Minor Service | ❌ Not allowed |
| 12 years old | ✅ Allowed | |
| 13–17 years old | ✅ Allowed | Allowed, but requires Travel Clearance from DSWD |
The Unaccompanied Minor Service is to ensure the child's safety and comfort during the flight. The cost is indicated when you book your flight.
Check the FAQs for more details.
FAQ
Unaccompanied Minor Service
The Unaccompanied Minor Service is required for Filipino children who are:
- Aged 7–11 years old;
- Traveling without an adult companion aged 18 years old or above; and
- Traveling alone on a domestic flight or within the Philippines.
If the minor meets all these conditions, please fill out this Unaccompanied Minor Form.
⚠️ Take note:
- The Unaccompanied Minor Service is available on domestic flights only. It is not available on international flights.
- The service is not available for minors who require a Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC). Minors requiring a POC must travel with an adult companion aged 18 years old or above.
- Make sure to select the guest type as "Child" when booking.
Filipino children below 7 years old must travel with an adult companion who is at least 18 years old. They will not be allowed to board alone.
Yes. Filipino children aged 7–11 years old are allowed to travel alone domestically or within the Philippines, but must fill out and pay the Unaccompanied Minor Form. This service is to ensure the child's safety and comfort during the flight.
They are not allowed to travel alone internationally or outside the Philippines.
No. Filipino children aged 12 years old are allowed to travel alone domestically or within the Philippines, and won't be required an Unaccompanied Minor Service anymore.
However, they are not allowed to travel alone internationally or outside the Philippines.
Filipino children aged 13–17 years old are allowed to travel alone domestically and internationally.
- For domestic, they won't be required an Unaccompanied Minor Service anymore.
- For international, they would need to secure a Travel Permit from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
When booking the child's flight, make sure to select the guest type to "Child".
The parent or guardian must:
- Fill out the Unaccompanied Minor Form at least 24 hours before departure.
- Pay the Unaccompanied Minor Fee.
On the day of the flight:
- Endorse the child at the airport check-in counter.
- Present a valid ID and the child's travel documents.
- Remain at the airport until the flight has departed.
Travel Clearances and Permits
These are certificates or documents issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for Filipino minors (below 18 years old) traveling abroad alone or with someone who is not their legal parent or legal guardian.
The Travel Clearance is required under the following conditions:
- If the parents are not married and the minor is traveling without the mother;
- If the minor is traveling with a person who is not their parent/s;
- If the minor aged 13–17 years old is traveling alone. Minors below 13 years old are prohibited from traveling abroad alone;
- If the minor, who is the subject of pending domestic adoption proceedings, is traveling with prospective adoptive parent/s; and
- If the passenger — who is 18 years old or over, but is unable to fully take care of themself due to abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability condition — is traveling with a person other than their parent/s.
Applications must be submitted through the DSWD Minors Traveling Abroad System (MTAS). Walk-in applications are not accepted.
For minors with foreign nationalities, please check the travel requirements issued by your respective government.
The Certificate of Exemption is required instead of the Travel Clearance Certificate under the following conditions:
- If the parents are not married and the minor is traveling with the biological father, who has sole parental authority or legal custody over the minor;
- If the traveling companion is the legal guardian;
- If the minor is an orphan of married parents and traveling with the substitute parent/s (grandparents or nearest kin); and
- If the minor is an orphan of non-married parents and traveling with the substitute parent/s or nearest kin on the maternal side.
The Travel Clearance is valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance, provided that the travel companion, the purpose of travel, and the destination are the same.
The Certificate of Exemption does not have a validity period, which can be used multiple times by applicants who are required to secure the Certificate of Exemption. For minors whose traveling companion is their legal guardian, the Certificate of Exemption shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance.
Traveling from Davao
Under the Davao City Children's Welfare Code, passengers below 18 years old must secure a permit from the Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) or the Special Office for Children's Concerns if they are:
- Traveling alone, or
- Traveling with someone other than their parents or legal guardians
- Birth Certificate of the minor (original and photocopy)
- Barangay Clearance issued by the Punong Barangay confirming knowledge of the travel plans
- Written parental consent attested by the Punong Barangay
- If parents are unavailable, consent may be provided by grandparents or the eldest sibling
- Minor's Identification Card (original and photocopy)
- Identification Card of the authorized accompanying person (original and photocopy)
A permit is not required if the minor is traveling with one or both parents and can present documents proving the relationship, such as:
- Birth Certificate
- Valid IDs
Rebooking and Refunds
If you rebook an unaccompanied minor's flight, you do not need to pay the Unaccompanied Minor Service again.
Yes. If you have a separate booking for a Child guest and will be traveling on the same flight:
- Chat with us through the website or mobile app
- Connect with a Live Agent to request a refund of the Unaccompanied Minor Service fee
For refund-related concerns, please refer to our refund guidelines.
Thank you!
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