CONSULAR INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. 01, SERIES of 2001

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR FILIPINO PERMANENT RESIDENTS ABROAD TO AVAIL OF THE TRAVEL TAX EXEMPTION PRIVILEGE

Filipino permanent residents abroad may avail themselves of the travel tax exemption privilege, upon submission of the following to the Philippine Tourism Authority, Manila:

PERMANENT RESIDENTS:

1.  Proof of permanent residence in a foreign country: 

• official document issued by the foreign governments concerned evidencing the grant of permanent resident status to the Filipino citizen, e.g., U.S. greencard, including visa or permit for indefinite stay stamped on passport, or

• Certificate of Residence issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consular Office (only in countries which have restrictive immigration policies), to the effect that the person has resided therein uninterruptedly for a period of five years without having been absent therefrom for more than six (6) months in any one year.  Appropriate entries in the passport establishing the five years’ residence are acceptable in lieu of the Consular Certificate of Residence.

 2.  Philippine Income Tax Return (ITR) for the preceding year for those between 18 to 60 years old and are employed.  The ITR may either be:

• An INFORMATION RETURN for those who did not derive income in the Philippines, or

• The appropriate ITR form prescribed by the BIR for those who derived income in the Philippines.

• For those who are unemployed, the one who provides support should execute an Affidavit to be duly notarized by the Embassy.  Consular Fee is £18.00 (no personal cheque).  Please submit a photocopy of the data page of passport and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of the document.
  

                   The above-mentioned affidavit is not required for 18 years old and below or above 60 years old.

3. Philippine passport - submit photocopy of a) identification pages and b) page showing latest arrival date in the Philippines.

Please present originals of the documents and submit copies.  The exemption shall not be granted if the passenger’s permanent resident status has lapsed or he/she has stayed in the Philippines for more than one (1) year whichever comes first.
 
 

OVERSEAS WORKERS:

1.  Those hired on-site by foreign or Filipino principals -  Certification from employer duly seen and noted by the Embassy or Contract of Employment duly verified and authenticated by the Embassy.  The exemption is valid only for travel to the place of work.  Consular fee is £18.00 plus verification fee of £7.15.  Seen and noted fee is £18.00 (no personal cheque accepted).

2. Those processed through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) -  Overseas Employment Certificate issued by the POEA serves as travel tax exemption certificate.  There is no need to secure exemption certificate from the Philippine Tourism Authority.

Source:  Letter of Mr. Angelito T. Banayo, General Manager, PTA dated 5 October 1999

Philippine Embassy, 8 March 2001