Parental/Guardian Approval for Minor to Travel 2023

A Child's travel, unless specifically prohibited by the local Child Welfare Agency, is approved by their Parent or Guardian and the Child's Parent or Guardian may request approval at any time. If the Child is traveling by themselves, they must be accompanied by their Parent or Guardian at all times. For more details, please see the Traveling With a Minor topic. Are children under 18 entitled to parental/guardian approval of their own travel? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security enforces the travel restrictions, and is not a party to the legal process. While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security may assist with issues pertaining to the travel of U.S. citizens, the travel of minors is a statutory issue of the State or Territory. Therefore, it is the State or Territory that enforces the laws. Where do I check to see if my minor has an approved Travel Authorization (travel) or has already been approved? Information regarding your current travel status is available directly through Travel.gov. If you are not listed as approved or awaiting approval, and your travel is being refused, please contact the local Child Welfare Agency. What steps does the Child Welfare Agency take to ensure I have a valid Traveler Travel Authorization? The Child Welfare Agency is responsible for ensuring no minor under the age of 18 is denied or removed without the appropriate authority. If I am a U.S. Citizen, can I obtain a Traveler Travel Authorization for a minor in the U.S.? No. Travelers are only issued TPA with parental/guardian approval. If you are a minor in the U.S., or residing in the U.S. and are traveling, you must have a Traveler Travel Authorization with you. What if my minor has been admitted to or placed in another country? If a minor is admitted to or is placed in another country without a valid Traveler Travel Authorization, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security prohibits their Travel to the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security Regulations. They may travel abroad if they have the necessary parental/guardian permission, or if they wish to accompany a parent in the U.S., they must be under the care of a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the trip. If your minor is already traveling, please see the Traveling With a Minor topic.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions about what constitutes a good justification. What Is the Child Abuse Screening Tool? The Child Abuse Screening Tool is used by law enforcement, immigration, and child protective service providers to identify those individuals who are subject to protective services and are at risk of or have displayed significant signs or symptoms of child abuse. An assessment using this tool is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1990 (8 U.S.C. A. 1028) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement's (ORR) screening program. The Child Abuse Screening Tool is not a screening tool and does not predict risk to children. The screening tool is recommended for use in conjunction with other screening programs including the National Case Management System (CMS) and the DHS/USD Child Placement Program (CPP). Note that children who are in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement and a child protective service provider should be referred for an assessment (rather than referred for another screening tool). How Does The Child Abuse Tool Work? Children are screened by a licensed professional with expertise in child welfare issues. The screening tool consists of two parts: Part I: History of Child Abuse and Neglect (Child Abuse Screening Tool Part I) All persons (parents, guardians, and caretakers) who have at a minimum one of the following two types or levels of substantiated child abuse or neglect: 1. Has been involved in the death of a child; 2. Has had a substantial impact on preventing, investigating, or reporting a child abuse or neglect incident; 3. Has been involved in an ongoing relationship with a child who has at a minimum one of the following: 1. Been abused as a victim, or 2. Has been abused as the victim (including ongoing relationships involving a caregiver/adult and a child victim/survivor); and 4. Is in a long-term care facility or group home. For those types of abuse that are not “statistically proven,” such as those that occurred during times of abuse prior to adulthood (e.g., dating violence, household violence, or abuse between close relatives), data are not collected; however, the screening tool should be interpreted as a recommendation that any such type of abuse be identified.

Parental/guardian approval is required for minor travel for one of the following occasions: to the United States for a school or institution for a school or institution to Canada where the travel will last more than 90 days for a period of 12 months for minor travel to Canada and may be required if travel is to another country Who can provide parental/guardian approval for minor? Parents of school-age minor (U.S. citizen and/or permanent resident) can complete a minor and travel authorization form at any U.S. diplomatic mission or post office. A school or institution must apply on their own behalf. You should contact the U.S. embassy or post office when you are travelling so that you can be advised of the form requirements. What if I do not have a U.S. passport? A non-U.S. citizen minor (with a parent's permission) can obtain a valid passport that is a copy or renewal of a valid passport. See the passport requirements below. A non-U.S. citizen minor's passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date on which he/she will arrive to Canada and return. A non-U.S. citizen minor with any valid U.S. passport not bearing the parent's signature might be delayed at the border until the parent signs the minor's passport. This delay can affect travel time, however, once the passport has been verified (and the minor appears on the U.S. customs form) the minor can fly, even for one day, without an extension. How do I obtain a passport for my minor? You must apply at a U.S. diplomatic mission abroad or at an airport in any other country in which you will be traveling outside the U.S. If you are not able to obtain a passport for your minor at the time of arrival or departure, you can use the following steps: Complete the passport application at the U.S. embassy to the country you are traveling to or will be travelling to Submit the form to the consular section at the embassy or U.S. consulate, requesting a letter of authorization (POA) to travel to the country you wish to visit. The name(s) appearing on the travel letter are your child's (U.S.

In general, the Parental/Guardian Approval should not be requested for a Minor (17) unless the parent's presence in the Minor's life poses a threat that it will become a danger. For a Minor (17) to request a Parental/Guardian Approval to travel, the minor must prove that her travel should be authorized by a Parental/Guardian Approval. Does the law define a “Parental” or “Guardian” Approval? The law does not define this word, but some experts believe that it should be an Adult who would be required to sign the Minor's application and consent. Do I have to get Parental/Guardian Approvals? No: in general, a Minor (17) must obtain parental/guardian permission to travel alone, unless she has a written Parental/Guardian Approval. If my Minor (17) is not 17 years old, should I seek permission from her parents? No: in general, no minor needs to obtain permission from their parents. Parents can request minor travel under the following circumstances: if the Minor (17) is traveling with a parent or foster parent; or if the parent and minor have an active agreement. If the Parent(s) don't object to minor travel, can she get a Parental/Guardian Approval for minor travel? Yes: in general, the Parent(s) can request a Parental/Guardian Approval on the Minor's behalf. What if my parent objects to my Minor (17)'s traveling alone? If the parent(s) object, the Minor (17) must obtain a Parental/Guardian Approval for minor travel. For more information on travel with a minor, see The Minors Traveling Alone in Florida Do I need a signed Parental/Guardian Approval if my minor (17) gets into trouble? If you are in a situation where your minor (17) needs immediate medical attention or police protection, or if you think there is imminent danger that a crime will be committed if the Minor (17) travels alone, you should contact law enforcement and obtain a Parental/Guardian Approval.

Once a minor to travel to Japan is approved, the minor must return from the foreign country. If the minor needs to return to the home country, the parent or guardian should obtain the minor's passport and other travel documents upon return. Before returning to Japan, parents or guardians should ensure their minor has obtained the necessary insurance, visas, visas for transportation, tickets to and from Japan, and other paperwork, including copies of all international bank account statements, travel insurance, and other records in Japanese. Also, the parent or guardian should ensure that the minor has the appropriate documents as required when crossing into foreign countries. If a minor is still under a parent or guardian's care in Japan, the parent or guardian should take all required action upon learning of the situation (such as notifying an immigration agency), and then obtain authorization from the parent or guardian on behalf of the minor, before returning the minor to the home country. ’What about if the Minor is still under the Care of the Parent/Guardian’? The parent(s) who made the decision to send the minor overseas may still be responsible for the minor's activities and/or activities abroad should the parent decide and be sent to jail or otherwise punished. This includes those circumstances that may result in the parent(s) being sent to jail in relation to the minor or its activities and/or activities abroad. ’When is the Return Permission granted’ for Minor to Travel to Japan? A return or release authorization is granted upon approval of the Form for Travel Permission to return a minor to Japan. ’Where did the Form for Travel Permission come from’? The Form for Travel Permission (Form for Travel Permission 2) has no formal name; it was simply named by the parent(s) who authorized the minor's travel abroad as a Form for Travel Permission to Return a Minor to Japan. ’What does it say on the Form for Travel Permission to Return a Minor to Japan’? An example of a Form for Travel Permission to Return a Minor to Japan is shown in Sample No.3. Sample No. 3 Example of the Form for Travel Permission (Form for Travel Permission 2) The Sample No. below is the form the parent(s) signed to send the minor abroad and authorize the child who is 17 years old at the time the minor returned to Japan.

By making a booking, you agree to permit the Travel Center to contact your local authority. A non-refundable deposit is required at the time the trip is booked. There may be additional costs for security clearance that may affect the total cost of the trip. We recommend having this amount in advance in case you need to cancel your entire trip and pay for any remaining expenses before departure. What is the payment method for a Travel Center reservation? We charge cash or a credit card for most reservations, but if you prefer, you may make a separate payment via credit card on the day of the reservation (unless it is not possible to make the payment before your arrival). You may also transfer the payment to a bank account. Please note that credit card statements will show the total amount spent and the remaining balance during the payment process. For larger bookings, we offer a service that helps you avoid making an advance deposit. Travel Center offers both Visa and MasterCard, but they charge fees for processing this processing and issuing a check, and we cannot accept checks if we cannot see the funds from the check. How do I pay the deposit? You can pay via Check at the counter of any Travel Center. If it is not possible to do so before your departure, credit card payments through our website are processed online using our system. All credit card transactions are processed through a Canadian bank. For larger bookings, we offer a service that helps you avoid making an advance deposit. Travel Center also offers cash or a credit card transaction through our website. Can I use my credit card without a check? Yes, and as long as the payment option selected is the payment method that can be made online, check or credit card. You will be charged the total amount by the Travel Center, and we cannot issue a check. Where is my Travel Center agent located? Location of Travel Center agent offices in Winnipeg, Hamilton and other Canadian cities. Click here & click on travelcenterofficeinfo.com to find the office nearest you. You can email us or call our office for questions. What is the cancellation policy? You are responsible for the full cost of your trip as well as all costs associated with your cancellation including all fees, taxes, and tip you have agreed to. As a traveler, we know your time is of the most valuable asset.

A copy of your Child/Guardian Approval for Minor will require a photo ID. This is to validate that you are responsible for all minor's expenses. For children under the age of 13, a Birth Certificate is required for most documents. How do I get a refund for my Child/Guardian Approval for Minor? If you are currently traveling and your approval is under suspension, please see our Travel Cancellation and Restriction FAQs here: How do I get a waiver from a doctor that refuses to write a minor's birth certificate or a letter on a Minor's birth record? Call and ask for Travel Doctors! How do I get a waiver from a doctor that won't write my Minor child's birth certificate? Call and ask for Travel Doctors! How do I get my parent/guardian's approval for Travel to travel abroad? To apply for a parent/guardian approval, please fill out an “approximation for minor overseas travel” form here:. Please include the following details: What documentation is needed? Proof that you are the parent/guardian. We suggest one of the following documents: Proof of your relationship to the passport holder. An identification cards. Proof of parent's Social Security number (birth certificate, social security card, etc). Proof of Parent's age: Proof of parent's current age. Proof of the following: U.S. passports issued as of today, not earlier than 6 months prior to the birth. Birth certificate if there is no birth record on file. Social Security card if any information is missing. Please provide a contact phone number (with area code) for the appropriate approval authority. Please keep the completed application file in your luggage and bring it with you when you exit the airport. What to do if your parent/guardian is overseas? Please complete the required approval form below, and submit it to the appropriate approval authority and ensure it is forwarded to you along with your approved travel document.

In order for a minor to travel alone, a parent must first be approved through the parent and minor travel program or an approved travel agency and then travel with the minor. The majority of travelers under the age of 16 require permission of their parent or legal guardian to travel (other travelers under 15 without a parent, guardian, or legal guardian). Please be aware that a Parent's consent and parental signature does not grant parents authority to prevent their children from traveling independently. Also known as “parental consent” in the United States. Parental approval and parental signature does not guarantee travel. Parental and Guardian Consent for Minor to Travel: Authorized Travel Agency (ATA) approved travel. Authorized Travel Agency (ATA) approved travel. Approved Travel Agency (ATA) approved by parent. Permit holder from the child's home country with the permission of the parent. Approval from the parent's country of origin. Approval from the parent's home country with a passport on file. Approval by a United States Embassy, Consulate, Border Patrol, or Immigration Officer. Approval by the parent's country in which the child is residing with written documentation from the child's home country or an approved travel agency. Approval if parent is deceased or can no longer receive travel documents. Parental approval must conform to the applicable requirements outlined in your country of residence. Parental approval does not guarantee travel. Parental, Guardian, or Authorized Travel Agency Authorization with Travel Documents: Parent must not have previously denied their minor to travel or may have previously denied travel. Parent must not have an established relationship with the Travel Agency. (i.e., a “parental trust” or “grandparent-spouse,”). Parent requires their child's name to appear on the Travel Document. Parent is physically present in the person of the parent. Parent requires the following: Written parent authorizations (parent-signed permission) from the child's home country with a passport on file. Parent signature. Parent passport, visa, or other travel document on file in the home country with the parent. Parent is physically present in the person of the parent. The parent is unable to travel.

The average for 2015 is 25,983, with 2,092 applications approved. Average parent approvals for minor applicants for travel to Canada under the new system in 2015/2016 are 0.3 per day. In 2015/2016 there were 2,000 approvals of travel from Newfoundland and Labrador to Canada; 789 from Prince Edward Island to Canada; and 577 from the Yukon to Canada. Parent travel approvals per day are increasing in Newfoundland and Labrador, in Prince Edward Island, in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. In these provinces the number of applications approved per day decreased from 2015/2016: Prince Edward Island from 0.4 to 0.3 Nova Scotia from 0.5 to 0.3 New Brunswick from 0.9 to 0.6 Newfoundland from 0.2 to 0.2 Yukon from 0.3 to 0.2 Average Canadian parental/guardian approvals for minor to travel to Canada are 1.4 per day, down 20% from the previous year. The total amount spent on processing and reviewing travel applications has decreased by 16 million (14%) since June 1, 2015 (Table 4). As the number of applications continues to increase, funding received from governments has also decreased. In 2015/2016, the Department received 30.6 million (37%) of 43.2 million budgeted, compared to the previous year (Table 5). Processing applications Processing and reviewing travel applications is a key component of the Canada Border Services Agency's (BSA) responsibilities, including working with provinces, territories, and municipalities, processing immigration applications and administering temporary resident visas. In total, the BSA processed about 1052,300 individuals in 2015/2016; 2,100,600 applications were complete, 3 per cent more than in the previous year. Applications received have increased in every region of the country except Nunavut, which has a greater percentage of Inuit and Registered Indians in the population compared to other regions. Applications from non-Canada First Nations applicants (for example, Indian Agents) have increased in Nunavut. Processing and reviewing travel applications is a major undertaking and consumes significant resource. For 2015/2016 the BSA spent: 4.

Yes. All children under age 13 traveling to Cuba must have the approval of their parent or guardian. How is travel financed? Travel to Cuba will be funded with a monthly minimum of: 30 U.S. Funds to cover your airfare and lodging during the trip (includes taxes and fees where applicable) 5,000 USD towards any rental car on your stay (includes taxes and fees where applicable) Note: The final fee is based on the total cost (including taxes and government fees) and will vary based on destination and whether it is an intermediate or high season vacation. Fees are due to Cuban government authorities by the end of each month for all travelers. How do I check into my hotel? Once you book your tour, you will be contacted with your room number. Upon arrival to Cuba, check-in will be done at a designated Travel Agency facility. It is recommended that you do a few stops at one of your first choices before you check in your room. It is also encouraged that you take two large photos of the area where your check-in location is since photos are extremely helpful when traveling to Cuba and the Cuban tourism board will expect that information. Can I return to the U.S.? Can I visit friends and family in the U.S.? You may leave and re-apply once you are in Cuba. However, your original tourist card will not be used for this purpose as you cannot travel with a card issued by Cuba or an entity owned by the Cuban government. As an adult, you have the ability to travel to Cuba for up to three months without an exit stamp and re-apply once you re-board your flight or rental car. Your original card and passport will be re-verified when you return to the U.S. You should be prepared to show this ID when you re-board your flight or rental car. If you do not provide this ID your ticket to Cuba may be refused. Your original card and passport are still valid for use in Cuba. However, you will not be able to re-board your flight or rental car. Additionally, there is a limit of one round-trip visa per day. You may be required to have your passport re-verified or may not be able to board your flight or rental car if you don't present your passport or travel document at check-in.