How to Pay Philippine Travel Tax Online

How to Pay Philippine Travel Tax Online

Updated November 21, 2019!!: Check out my updated post in this link: http://www.pinoyroadtrip.com/2019/11/pay-philippine-travel-tax-online.html

Why Pay Philippine Travel Tax Online

To avoid having to line up at the travel tax counter at the airport.  I have traveled internationally on different days of the week and at different times. My experience at lining up at the travel tax counter is different each time. Sometimes the line is short. Sometimes, the line is very long. In airports in Manila, you line up several times, at security, at check-in, at immigration. By paying online, you avoid having to line up another time.

What You Need to Prepare:

1. An email address
2. Your passport information
3. Digital copy of your passport data page.
4. Airfare ticket  number or booking reference number  
5. Visa or Mastercard credit card

How to Pay Philippine Travel Tax Online

1. Go to the Online Travel Tax  Portal at

https://traveltax.tieza.gov.ph/

2. Create an account by filling up the form below.

Click "Create your  account"  

Fill up the form above.
You need an email address
After you click "Register", an email will be sent to the email address you provided.
View your email. 

This is the sample of the email.
Click the link to activate the account

Your username is your email
Add a password to your account

This will appear after you have provided your password.

Now you can log in. 

Click "Proceed" 

You need to complete your profile
to be able to proceed 

These are the information you need to furnish.

Warning: Before you can click “I Agree",
you need to scroll down until the very end of the Privacy Policy 

Click "Proceed".

You need to put the ticket or booking reference number
and date of departure, seat class, what airport you are exiting from.

Add caption

As you can see, there is an additional cost of 78.35 pesos compared to paying the amount in person at the airport or at other travel tax counters.

My tip: If you're booked at Cebu Pacific and are willing to pay additional 80 pesos for the convenience of paying travel tax online, pay through the “Manage booking" link of Cebu Pacific instead. 

3. Once payment is confirmed, you can print the official receipt and present it to the airline at check-in.

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NEW RULES ON HOW TO GET A STUDENT DRIVER'S PERMIT

NEW RULES ON HOW TO GET A STUDENT DRIVER'S PERMIT

For the past 4 years, I assisted my children in getting a student permit, not realizing that rules have changed since last summer when my daughter got her student permit. This year, I discovered that a lot of things have changed. So, I'm sharing with you the new rules so you don't make the mistakes I made when applying for my daughter's student permit this year.  

Below is the reproduced copy of AO AVT-2015-030, REVISED RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ISSUANCE OF STUDENT DRIVER'S PERMIT issued 22 September 2015

1. The applicant must at least be at least 17 years old.

The old rules used to be that an applicant who's 16 years old is allowed to get a student's permit, provided one of the parents give his/her consent. But the applicant has to wait until he's 17 years old till he's allowed to get a non-professional license. 

The new rules state that the applicant for a student permit must be at least 17 years old and the applicant for a non-professional driver's license must be at least 18 years old.

2. A medical certificate is required.

The medical certificate must not be issued 15 days or more from the time of the application. This means, if your medical certificate was issued April 1, you can use the medical certificate to apply for a student permit until April 15.

The medical certificate can be issued by any licensed practicing physician. It's no longer required that the physician be an LTO accredited physician. So if you have a family doctor, your family doctor can issue the medical certificate for this purpose.

3. If an applicant is below 18 years old, only a letter of consent from the parent/guardian of minor, and not an affidavit of consent. A photocopy of 1 government issued card WITH SIGNATURE of the parent/guardian must be attached to the letter of consent.  

Sample letter of consent:

LETTER OF CONSENT

I, (Name of parent/guardian), of legal age, with residence at (state your address) state that:

1. I am the mother/father/guardian of (name of applicant)

2. I am giving my consent for him/her to apply for a student permit at the Land Transportation Office.

3. I am executing this document to support his/her application for a student permit.

Simpler form of letter of consent: 

I, (name of the parent/guardian), mother/father/guardian of (name of the minor applicant), give my consent for (name of the minor applicant) for him/her to apply for a student permit at the Land Transportation Office.

4. You cannot use the downloaded application form provided online and submit it to the LTO.

The LTO now requires that application forms submitted to them shall be the ones provided by the LTO offices bearing the LTO control number.

The official LTO application form with control no.

The official LTO application form with control no. on the left
The downloaded application form on the right

Checklist of requirements:

1. NSO issued birth certificate, original and photocopy

2. Medical certificate

3. Application form with control number (you can get from the LTO office or the mall satellite office)

4. If the applicant is below 18 years, a letter of consent from the parent/guardian with photocopy of 1 government issued ID with signature.

My tip for fast processing:

1. Get a medical certificate in advance. 

2. Get an application form in advance and fill it up before you arrive at the LTO office.

2. Go there at opening time, which is 8:00 AM.

If you're there at opening time and you have a medical certificate and the an application form already filled up, you will beat the line and be ahead of all the other applicants. The other applicants will have to line up to get a medical certificate first and fill up the application form. In our case, it took us only 20 minutes to complete the process.

NOTES ON RENEWAL OF STUDENT PERMIT:
1. You cannot renew the student permit before it expires.

The LTO computer system does not accept applications for renewal until after the old student permit has expired, unlike in the case of renewal of driver's license.

2. You can do away with submitting an NSO issued birth certificate in case of renewal. Just present the following:

a. the old EXPIRED student permit
b. valid ID
c. medical certificate
d. application form with control number

Citylink Eastwood: New Routes and Schedule

Citylink Eastwood: New Routes and Schedule

My tip: 
Call Eastwood Mall concierge to confirm the Citylink schedule before you ride it.

• 
  
• Tel: (+632) 709-9888/(+632) 709-0888
• Mobile:(+63) 917-8380101
• eastwoodconcierge@megaworld-lifestyle.com
• Mall Hours :
  • Sunday: 10:00AM to 10:00PM
  • Monday to Thursday: 11:00AM to 10:00PM
  • Friday to Saturday: 11:00AM to 11:00PM

Beep cards can now be used at Citylink

New!!! Updated information on schedule and rates as of October 2013.

Citylink Business Class is a shuttle service that starts at Eastwood City and ends at Newport City. You can use this option to go to NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Terminal 3 since this bus passes by the NAIA Terminal 3 on the way back to Eastwood City. 

My tip:

1. You must ride this bus only at any of the three loading areas: Eastwood City, McKinley Hill or Newport City.

Why? Because the bus sometimes skips the other areas in their route  if there are no passengers getting off  along the route shown below. The only sure way to ride this bus is to go to the loading area.

 2. You must inform the bus driver that you're getting off NAIA Terminal 3 because after Newport City, they can go straight to Eastwood City using another route if the driver doesn't know that there are passengers going to NAIA Terminal 3.

3.  If you want to ride this bus after you arrive at NAIA Terminal 3 and go to Eastwood City, DON'T WAIT AT THE NAIA TERMINAL 3 BUS STOP OF CITYLINK. You're not certain a bus will pass by. Go instead to the Newport City loading area.

How to go to Newport City from Terminal 3? Take the NAIA Loop shuttle and get off the next stop, which is Resorts World Manila. (Fare is 20 pesos). Then go to Citylink loading area at Newport City. (Route of the NAIA Loop shuttle: MRT Taft Station Terminal-NAIA Terminal 3 - Resort World Manila - Marriot hotel - MRT Taft Station Terminal)

Fare: 39 pesos from Eastwood City to NAIA Terminal 3, and vice versa.

Schedule: The new schedule as of September 2013 is shown in the photo below. Their current Saturday schedule used to be the daily schedule. They expanded their service for a non-stop schedule of 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM,  Monday to Friday. Saturday trips are from 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM only. There are no trips Sundays and Holidays.

Route: Eastwood City - Green Meadows - Wilcon Depot - Valle Verde - IPI - Julia Vargas - Lanuza - Green Valley - Kalayaan - 19th Avenue - Market Market - Mini Park - McKinley Hill - Palar - BCDA - Phase 1 and 2 - Housing - Centennial - Service Road - TESDA - Gate 3 - Nichols - Gate 1 - Gate 4 - Newport City then back to Eastwood.

The sign on the bus when you ride at Eastwood City says that it's headed for Newport City. So I asked the bus driver if they stop at Terminal 3, and he says that even though the sign says it's headed for Newport City, they unload passengers at Terminal 3 because that's where they pass going back to Eastwood City. I also called the NAIA Terminal 3 customer service and they verified that the Citylink bus unloads passengers at NAIA Terminal 3.

Loading Area: Eastwood City, McKinley Hill and Newport City. This means the bus stops around 5 minutes in these areas to load passengers. In between these areas, you flag down the bus or inform the driver that you are getting off along the route indicated in the sign.

This is the NEW BUS SCHEDULE
as of September 2013 (when I wrote this update)

This is the old schedule in January 2012
when I first wrote this article

Travel time from Eastwood City to Terminal 3: 1 1/2 hours (from Eastwood City, the bus passes by Libis, C5,  Bonifacio Global City, McKinley Hill, Newport City then NAIA Terminal 3)

Where bus stops within Eastwood City:

The Citylink Bus stops at the back of Eastwood City Mall, across the Mango Store.
This picture was taken while in the front entrance of Techno Plaza One buidling.
The building on the left is the Eastwood City Mall

Passenger waiting area at Eastwood City

Passenger waiting area is across the Mango Store of Eastwood City Mall

Mango Store is at the back of Eastwood Mall, 

diagonally from Techno Plaza One where Fitness First is located

Location of Eastwood City:

View Larger Map

SUBIC: Dinner at Chef Samurai

SUBIC: Dinner at Chef Samurai

If you're craving for Japanese food while you're in Subic, visit Chef Samurai. This restaurant is home-grown and can only be found in Subic. The food is really good and the seafood is guaranteed fresh.

WHAT WE ORDERED

Kani Salad (185 pesos)

We ordered 3 dishes which was served in 1 platter.

Samurai Maki (498 pesos)

Mixed sashimi (550 pesos)
Uni sushi (2 pieces,185 pesos)

AVERAGE COST OF MEAL FOR 2 PERSONS: 1500 pesos

LOCATION:

WALK-IN PASSPORT APPLICATIONS at the DFA: Is it allowed?

Photo courtesy of citizenservices.com.ph

WALK-IN PASSPORT APPLICATIONS at the DFA: Is it allowed?

UPDATE AS OF JUNE 26, 2018!!! 

The list of those who can use the courtesy/walk-in lane has been expanded. Even PARENTS and MINOR SIBLINGS of minors 7 years old and below, COMPANIONS of senior citizens and PWD, and MINOR CHILDREN of solo parent with solo parent ID can walk in. 

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Website (Source: https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/statements-and-advisoriesupdate/16917-frequently-asked-questions-on-dfa-passport-and-authentication-services) : 

• The following can avail of the Courtesy Lane Facility without need of an online appointment:

1. Senior citizens (60 years and over) with proof of age
   • Senior citizen is allowed one (1) companion
   • The companion of the senior citizen must be an immediate family member, i.e. spouse, siblings, adult children, adult grandchildren, and children-in-law of the senior citizen and must show proof of relationship.
   • If the companion is not an immediate family member, the companion has to show proof of travel arrangements (e.g. confirmed plane or hotel booking) with the senior citizen to be able to avail of the courtesy lane facility.
2. People with disabilities (PWDs) with proof of disability
   • PWD is allowed one (1) companion
   • The companion of the PWD must be an immediate family member, i.e. spouse, siblings, adult children, adult grandchildren, parents-in-law, and children-in-law of the PWD and must show proof of relationship.
   • If the companion is not an immediate family member, the companion has to show proof of travel arrangements (e.g. confirmed plane or hotel booking) with the PWD to be able to avail of the courtesy lane facility.
3. Solo parent with valid solo parent card, and his/her minor children
4. Minors seven (7) years old and below and his/her parents and minor siblings
5. Pregnant women
   • If pregnancy is not visible, applicant must present medical certificate/records.
6. Overseas Filipino Workers (Land and Sea based) with valid proof of status, such as:
   • Valid iDOLE card
   • Valid Employment contract
   • Valid Work Visa
   • Seaman's book stamped at international border less than 365 days from date of application

• Senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents and their minor children, pregnant women, and OFWs have the option to choose from regular or expedited processing of their passport application.
• The companions of the senior citizens and PWDs, minors seven (7) years old and below, their parents and minor siblings are to be assessed expedited processing fee because they are not entitled to use the courtesy lane; they are accommodated for their convenience.
• All applications made on Saturdays — whether those entitled to use the Courtesy Lane or those accommodated for their convenience – shall be assessed expedited processing fees based on the relevant provision of the Passport Act. 

UPDATE AS OF JULY 14, 2017: This popped up when I was trying to open www. passport.com.ph.

This clarifies the question on who can walk-in at ANY DFA OFFICE and the document they need to present:

1. Senior Citizen: Senior Citizen ID (no mention of other proof to prove age.)

2. Person with Disability (PWDs): PWD ID or visible disability

3. Solo parent: valid Solo Parent ID (this is new!!!)

4. Pregnant women: medical certificate (what if obviously pregnant? :))

5. Minors below eight (8) years old: ?(I suppose it's the birth certificate or old passport)

NOTE: For news updates as of June 2017, please see the end of the article.

If you wish to apply or renew a Philippine passport in the Philippines, you have to make an online appointment. The earliest appointment schedule you can get in offices in Metro Manila and nearby provinces is at least 2 months from the date you request for an appointment. If you want an earlier date, earlier dates are available for other satellite offices in less accessible places like Zamboanga, Butuan and Tacloban.

Earliest appointment schedule is 2 months from today.

Because of this situation, a lot of my readers are asking if they can get an earlier slot by walking-in at any of the branches of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). If a satellite office is just new or has not configured their system to allow online appointments, they allow walk-in applications for a limited time before their system is configured to allow online appointments.(See the news on Walk-in passport applications at DFA Ali Mall for a limited time)

However, as of this writing, the existing satellite offices are all online so the only way you can apply or renew your passport is by getting an appointment online. 

THERE ARE HOWEVER, CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS.

WHEN IS WALK-IN PASSPORT APPLICATIONS ALLOWED

There is a line in each DFA office known as a courtesy lane. They process walk-in passport applications in the courtesy lane. People qualified to use the courtesy lane can process their passport applications without getting an appointment. They can arrive at the DFA office without an appointment, walk-in, present proof that they are qualified to use the courtesy lane, and then have their applications processed immediately. 

Below is a list of persons allowed to use the courtesy lane: (source: Department of Foreign Affairs site )

• Regular government employees / with GSIS / appointed by Civil Service Commission

• Dependent of government employee 
  - Legal spouse 
  - Parents 
  - Unmarried children

• Retired government employees (one year availment)

• Incumbent elected officials

• For barangay level, only the following are entitled: 
  - Barangay Chairman 
  - Barangay Kagawad 
  - SK Chairman

• Endorsement from House of Representatives must be endorsed by DLLU (Department Legislative Liaison Unit) of the DFA before lodging their applications to Courtesy Lane

• Media Personnel must first secure endorsement from Public Information Services Unit (PISU) before going to Courtesy Lane.

• Referrals made from DFA employees (limited to 3 referrals per month) and Head/s of other government agencies must secure proper endorsements duly signed by authorized signatories of their respective offices. Only original copies will be accepted for verification purposes. Photocopy of DFA employee’s valid I.D. / government agencies official’s Department I.D. must be attached for verification purposes.

• Minor (7 years old and below)

• Senior Citizens (60 years old and above)

• PWD (genuinely disabled) / with PWD I.D.s

• Pregnant (genuinely pregnant) / with medical certificate

* In case of lost or stolen VALID (not expired) passport (the applicant may proceed directly to the Consular /Division at DFA Aseana without an appointment (http://www.dfa.gov.ph/2013-04-04-07-00-36)

PASSPORT FEE: P1,200.00 (10 working days)

Senior citizens have an optional processing fee of P950.00 (20 working days)

NOTE: All passport fees charged when using the courtesy lane is the same as the express passport processing fee rate. They cannot opt for the regular rate of 950 pesos, except senior citizens. 

I suppose the reason for this is that people using the courtesy lane are in a hurry to get their passport and couldn't wait to schedule an appointment online. It has the effect of filtering people who are really in a hurry to have their passports released and discouraging those who are not in a hurry.

SPECIAL CASES OF OFWS (Overseas Filipino Workers)

OFW's are allowed to walk-in at the following :

1. At any DFA satellite office nationwide, through the courtesy lane 

2. At the dedicated passport center of OFWs located at Robinsons Galleria


Checkout the following news articles:

July 2016 DFA advisory for OFWs wishing to renew at Robinsons Galleria

The announcement that the DFA satellite office in Robinsons Galleria will be exclusively for OFWs applying for passports

FOR URGENT CASES:

You can write a letter request to the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, stating your reasons for asking to be allowed to walk-in and process your passport without scheduling an appointment. Take note, however, that JOINING A TOUR or GOING ON TOUR are not considered valid reasons.

MY TIP:
Try DFA Ali Mall. About a month ago, a friend of ours tried to apply for a passport at DFA Ali Mall and was allowed to process it without an appointment. Take note that she went there after lunch and on a weekday. I presume that if they don't have too many applicants, they also allow walk-in applicants. But that's discretionary and uncertain. 

UPDATE AS OF JUNE 2017:

I renewed my passport last June 16, 2017 and interviewed the DFA personnel on the issue of walk-in applications. They informed me of the ff:

1. All passport applicants must get an appointment. Walk-in applications are NOT ALLOWED IN ALL DFA OFFICES, except for the following persons:

a. Senior citizens. Persons with disabilityc. Pregnant womend. Minors 7 years old and below.

Note: I forgot to ask what proof they consider as valid. I'm presuming old passports, birth certificates or any ID bearing date of birth is enough proof in the case of senior citizens and minors 7 years old and below. In the case of persons with disability, I presume the proof of disability is the disability card if the disability is not visible or visible physical disability. In the case of pregnant women, if the pregnancy is not visible, a doctor's certificate may be accepted. 

2. Walk-in applications by OFW's will only be entertained at the Robinsons Galleria satellite office.

3. Walk-in applications by government employees will only be entertained at DFA-Aseana office. 

4. Walk in applications by senior citizens, persons with disability, pregnant women and minors 7 years old and below is allowed in ALL DFA OFFICES. All other exceptions discussed above will be entertained at DFA-Aseana. OFW's will only be entertained at the Robinsons Galleria Office.

Check out my Post: My Experience Renewing My Passport at DFA Ali Mall last June 2017.