What is a WEG?
A WEG (Waiver of Exclusion Ground) is required for foreign children under 15 traveling to the Philippines without their parents or legal guardians. It permits them to enter the country in compliance with Philippine law. The WEG is issued by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration at the port of entry upon arrival.
The process involves two main steps:
- Preparation and Notarization of Documents:
Before traveling, the required forms and documents must be completed, signed, and either notarized at the Philippine Consulate or by a Japanese notary public (with an Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan). - Issuance of the WEG at the Port of Entry:
The notarized documents are then submitted to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration at the port of entry upon arrival. The Bureau reviews the documents, processes the application, and issues the WEG after payment of the required fee.
Preparation and Notarization of Documents :
Option 1 (Consulate Process):
Option 2 (Apostille Process in case parent/s or legal guardian/s cannot personally appear at the Consulate):
- Prepare the required documents as listed on the checklist, including all forms and supporting documents.'
- Have the following documents notarized at any Japanese notary public together with the other documents as attachments:
- Affidavit of Consent to Travel, with passport-size photos attached.
- Family Register Form W.E.G.
- Obtain an Apostille for the notarized documents from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Issuance of the WEG at the Port of Entry :
Regardless of the preparation process (Consulate or Apostille), the WEG is approved and issued by the Bureau of Immigration upon the child’s arrival in the Philippines. Upon arrival, the child or the travel companion submits the WEG application and documents to the Bureau of Immigration at the port of entry, with a fee of PHP 3,120.
Consulate Walk-in Schedule:
- Monday to Thursday: 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
