Philippine Immigration | Tips to Avoid Getting offloaded

Filipinos travelling on Visit/Tourist visas or those travelling for the first time abroad mostly face issues at immigration counters while leaving to UAE or any other country due to the questions asked by immigration staff.

The questions mostly being asked by the immigration officers are:

1.     Is this your first time traveling?

2.     Where are you going?

3.     Do you have money?

4.     How long are you going to stay there?

5.     What are you going to do there?

6.     Where is your itinerary?

7.     Do you have an invitation letter?

8.     Will you return back to Philippines?

So, we are going to share tips on how to avoid such issues and answer the question asked by immigration specially from NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila), Clark International Airport in Pampanga, Mactan-Cebu Airport, and Iloilo International Airport as immigration staff are strict on these airports.

Read: Domestic Workers Law in UAE

Tip 1: Answer shortly:

Passenger who is answering the questions asked by immigration officers need to answer them in short as officers do not have time to hear storytelling answers due to long queue of passengers. For example if officer asked you; where are you travelling? Answer UAE, USA, Malaysia, just answer the name of the country as answering briefly or storytelling answers can lead to more doubtful questions.

Tip 2: Be Honest:

The immigration officers combat illegal immigrants and human trafficking and that’s why the inspect passengers, so be honest as much as possible based on what is on your visa. For example, if you are on a visit or tourist visa and they asked you what is your purpose in this visit and you answer I am going to marry my fiancee and they see you are on a tourist visa then they will automatically send you to the second inspection. So make sure to answer them depending on your visa type, if it is a tourist visa, answer them I am going to tour the UAE. If you owned work permit visa, answer them I am going to work in the UAE. Let your sponsor send you an ok to board visa copy.

Tip 3: Be Confident:

It is very important to be confident on every type of interview, especially the interview with the immigration officers as from this stage your next journey begins. Make your voice a little louder during conversation with immigration officers as they are inside a booth and there are a glass barrier and a small hole where you can speak and for them to be able to hear you. Saying clearly, loudly and confidently will help you gain their trust and persuade them to stamp your passport. Be sure that you don’t look suspicious or don’t know where or what are you going to do abroad. In short, you should know your journey.

Things to bring with you on your flight:

Either you are travelling for the first time or travelled before, keep below things with you to avoid the offloaded from flight by Philippine immigration officers. The most important things in current days is covid-19 vaccine certificate and the valid PCR test. The other require things are:

A Valid Passport:

Make sure your passport is at least six-months valid. If husband/wife or with relationship to any foreign nationals make sure your passport has a CFO sticker.

A Valid Visa:

If going to a specific country that requires a visa, entry permit or work permit, keep original and 1 extra copy of it with you.

Printed Round Trip Ticket or Itinerary:

Print your round trip ticket if you are on visit/tourist visa and make copies of it especially if you are on a connecting flight.

Valid Country ID card:

Keep your national identity card with you all the time just in case they are going to asked further verification from you.

Invitation Letter or Affidavit:

Letter of invitation require only if someone sponsored your trip. Make sure to have photocopies of it as well.

Guarantee Letter:

Letter of guarantee should include the name and contact information of your sponsor as stated the same to your letter of invitation.

Intent to Marry:

You need to bring a copy of the Intent to marry if you are planning to get married outside the country during your stay, be aware of country law and rules especially Islamic countries as they practice Sharia Law.

CFO Certificate and Sticker:

CFO sticker and certificate is the additional require document for the second inspection (with foreign spouses).it is very important which protect kabayans from human trafficking especially for foreign husband/wife, fiancee, boyfriend/girlfriend as they cannot leave the country if they haven’t undergone training and seminar from the CFO (Commission on Filipinos Overseas).

Employment Certificate:

Prepare a certificate of employment if you are employed by a company in UAE.

Hot Topic: OFW ID CARD

Philippine Immigration Automatic Second Inspection:

Passenger traveling abroad will be send to second inspection at the immigration office if:

1.     If you are traveling for the first time alone with no financial means or support.

2.     Minors traveling without parents (guardian) and has no travel authorization or permit from DSWD.

3.     If partners of foreign nationals without the CFO sticker on the passport and certificate.

4.     Travelers who were involved in any illegal activity.

5.     Visitors who overstay abroad on their last visit.

6.     If going to countries with existing ban, absconding-case or travel warnings.

Above are some of the reasons when an immigration officer investigate the traveler more strictly at second inspection in a separate room, and it only happen if you do not follow one of the above mentioned tips while travelling abroad.

But don’t worry, second inspection is also just a conversation between you and the officer, if you are not doing anything illegal or wrong such as if you are not involved in human trafficking or illegal recruitment cases then you are safe, just relax and answer the questions with confidence to stamp your passport with OK.

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