Old Wallflower

We have been working in Singapore for 7 years now. After getting married and having a child, we still continue to work in Singapore. Our daughter would stay with us in Singapore on Social Visit Pass for 30 days and it can only be extended once for another 30 days. We always travel with her from Philippines to Singapore and vice versa, together with my mother.

In the first two years of our daughter, her airfare would only costs an additional S$20 or Php500 to the travel companion. However, as she has turned two, her airfare would costs the same as the adult fare. Since my mother will now be able to bring our not-so-baby-anymore daughter alone, we can save some bucks from airfare, and hence, we need to secure a travel clearance for her.

DSWD Requirements for a Travel Clearance (in our case)
For a minor travelling for the first time with a person other than the parents or legal guardian (Even if you are a brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandfather or cousin of the minor, you need to secure a clearance.)

We prepared the following documents (without bringing the original copy):

• A duly accomplished application form. (Download Here)
• A photocopy of the minor's birth certificate.
• A photocopy of the minor's passport.
• A photocopy of the minor's travel companion.
• Two (2) coloured passport size photos of the minor.
• A photocopy of marriage certificate.
• A written consent of both parents permitting the minor to travel with the specific person.

We reached the DSWD office at 9:30am. Below is the process that we went through:

• We wrote our details in the log book of security guard and requested for a travel clearance' queue number.
• We also checked on the last number called at the right side of entrance door.
• When our number was called, we submitted our documents to the social worker for initial screening. (To check if we have submitted the required documents)
• Afterwards, we were called again for assessment and short interview. The questions were more on the travel companion, the dates of travel and why we cannot travel with the minor.
• The documents were cleared and we were asked to pay for the processing fee of Php 300 for one year validity. We asked for the two years validity instead (Php 600) and the social worker granted our request. (Note: We assumed that if we did not highlight the option for two years validity, they will not inform us as well.)
• Payment has been done and we took the receipt.
• The social worker informed us to collect the travel clearance after 4 hours. (Note: Documents submitted before 2:00pm can be processed on the same day. Otherwise, the requestor will collect the travel clearance on the next working day.)