Border entrance travel documents
Passenger locator and health control forms fall under the policy. We align your ads and pages with Google’s requirements.
If your business helps travelers complete passenger locator forms, health control forms, or systems like the Philippines' eTravel Card, you have likely discovered that your Google Ads campaigns are being disapproved or your account flagged. Border entrance travel documents fall squarely within Google's Government Documents and Services (GODOS) policy, and that policy restricts who can advertise them.
Under the GODOS framework, only certified governments and their authorized providers may promote the direct acquisition of these documents and services. Everyone else — including legitimate third-party facilitators and travel-assistance platforms — must apply for Google certification and complete Google's advertiser verification program before ads can run. Google also automatically attaches a "Not a government website" disclosure to Search ads in this category unless you are a certified government provider.
The upside is real: once you are certified to advertise, you can reach travelers at the exact moment they are searching for help with entry requirements — a high-intent, time-sensitive audience. Getting there simply requires understanding the rules and preparing your account and website correctly.
What’s restricted
- Passenger locator forms
- Health control forms
Why Google restricts border entrance travel documents ads
Border entrance travel documents are prime targets for fraud. Travelers are often stressed, working against tight deadlines, and unfamiliar with the official process in a foreign country. That combination makes them vulnerable to deceptive sites that mimic government portals, charge inflated "service fees" for forms that are free or low-cost, or harvest sensitive personal and passport data.
Google restricts this category to protect users from being misled about who they are dealing with and what they are paying for. By limiting advertising to certified governments and verified authorized providers — and by displaying a clear "Not a government website" disclosure on non-government ads — Google reduces the risk that travelers mistake a facilitation service for the official issuing authority.
Who needs GODOS certification
- Third-party services that help travelers complete passenger locator forms or health declarations before arrival
- Travel-assistance platforms and visa/entry facilitation companies that process forms like the eTravel Card on behalf of users
- Government agencies and official departments promoting their own entry-document portals
- Authorized providers acting under contract or delegation from a government entity
- Agencies and marketers managing Google Ads accounts for any of the above
How to get certified: step by step
- 1
Confirm your category and eligibility
Verify that your service falls under border entrance travel documents — such as passenger locator forms, health control forms, or the eTravel Card — and determine whether you qualify as a government entity, an authorized provider, or a non-government facilitator. Your status shapes the entire application.
- 2
Prepare documentation of authorization
Gather evidence supporting your role: government authorization letters or contracts if you are an official provider, or clear proof of your business identity and the exact nature of your service if you are a third party. Transparent documentation speeds review.
- 3
Align your website with GODOS requirements
Ensure your site clearly states that you are not a government entity (where applicable), discloses fees separately from any official charges, explains exactly what service you provide, and includes accessible contact and refund information.
- 4
Complete Google's advertiser verification program
Submit to Google's advertiser identity and business verification process. This confirms who is behind the account and is a mandatory prerequisite alongside GODOS certification.
- 5
Apply for GODOS certification
Submit the certification application for the border entrance travel documents category through the appropriate Google form, referencing your verification and supporting materials.
- 6
Monitor, respond, and maintain compliance
Track your application status, respond promptly to any Google requests, and keep your ads and landing pages compliant. If issues arise, Google typically issues warnings at least 7 days before any account suspension.
Common mistakes that get ads disapproved
- Implying or suggesting affiliation with a government or official border authority when none exists
- Failing to clearly disclose service fees, making travelers believe they are paying only the official cost
- Using landing pages that mimic the look, branding, or domain style of an official eTravel Card or health-declaration portal
- Running ads before completing both GODOS certification and Google's advertiser verification
- Omitting clear contact details, refund terms, and an explicit statement that the site is not a government website
- Assuming certification in one region or document type automatically covers others — each category and market has its own requirements
How we help
We guide advertisers in the border entrance travel documents space through every stage of the GODOS certification process — from confirming your eligibility category to preparing the documentation Google expects. We review your website against the policy's transparency requirements, help you present your service accurately (including the mandatory non-government disclosures), and structure your application and verification submissions so they are clear and complete.
We work with clients worldwide across passenger locator forms, health control forms, and region-specific systems such as the Philippines' eTravel Card. We are an independent consultancy and are not affiliated with Google, and final approval always rests with Google. What we provide is experienced, practical support that helps you avoid the errors that commonly trigger disapprovals and suspensions, so you can pursue certification with confidence.
Region-specific examples
Related services
Google Ads Policy Audit
A full review of your account, ads, and landing pages against the GODOS policy, with a prioritized fix list.
Ad Copy Compliance
We rewrite ad copy and extensions to meet policy requirements without losing performance.
Landing Page Optimization
Compliant, high-converting landing pages with the correct disclaimers and disclosures.
Google & Government Verification
Guidance through Google certification and the advertiser verification program, step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Can a third-party service advertise the eTravel Card or passenger locator forms on Google? +
Yes, but only after completing Google's advertiser verification and obtaining GODOS certification. As a non-government provider, your Search ads will also carry a "Not a government website" disclosure, and your site must transparently explain your service and fees.
Why do my ads show a "Not a government website" label? +
Google automatically adds this disclosure to Search ads in the border entrance travel documents category unless you are a certified government provider. It helps travelers understand they are dealing with a facilitation service rather than the official issuing authority.
What happens if I run ads without certification? +
Your ads will typically be disapproved, and continued policy violations can lead to account suspension. Google generally issues a warning at least 7 days before suspending an account, giving you time to correct issues or seek help.
Do I need certification if the form is free for travelers? +
Yes. The GODOS policy applies to the promotion of the document or service itself, regardless of whether the underlying government form is free. If you charge a service fee, you must disclose it clearly and separately from any official cost.
Does certification for one country's entry document cover others? +
No. Requirements can differ by document type and region. Certification and verification are specific, so a facilitator working across multiple markets — for example both health control forms in one country and the eTravel Card in the Philippines — should confirm coverage for each.
Can you guarantee my certification will be approved? +
No. We are an independent consultancy not affiliated with Google, and all certification decisions rest solely with Google. What we do is prepare your application, website, and documentation thoroughly to give you the strongest possible position.