IMMIGRATION TIPS FOR FILIPINOS: A GUIDE TO PHILIPPINE IMMIGRATION

“Traveling outside The Philippines should not be a problem for any of us or our kabayans.” – A statement that is been wished by many.

If you’re traveling outside the Philippines for the first time, then we bet you would be excited yet a bit anxious too! There might be a lot of brewing in your head, and we understand that.

It’s a traveler’s nightmare if he/she is denied by the Immigration Officials to board the plane. The trip just ends before it started. We realize that it’s quite a waste of money, time and efforts if you’re denied, hence we’re here to guide you to make your travel a bit easier.

Every country has its own immigration rules. Some may be in favor of you. Some may require you a visa, others may not. It’s always good to know a few things before you’re ready to board the flight to your destination.

PRIMARY QUESTIONS

Nothing is possible without having the right travel documents, and the Filipino immigration will ask you three MUST documents that are mandatory for your travel.

1. A valid passport.
2. Roundtrip tickets, back to your destination of origin.
3. Visa, if applicable to the destination you’re traveling to.

These documents are the basic ones required. At the least, you should have these three.

The next question that may arise is, what would you do in the country you’re traveling to? It’s very important to determine your main purpose of travel to the immigration officials. Your purpose of travel can be either for tourism or be visiting your friends or relatives or a business trip. Make sure, you’re honest about your purpose of travel.

However, they might even ask you further questions like:

• What company you’re working for? In other words, this means the job you’re doing. Are you employed by a company, self-employed or a freelancer? In such cases, you will be required to show your company ID proof.
• The place of your residence at your destination country is a concern for the immigration officials. They may always ask you to present your letter of invitation or the proof of your hotel reservation vouchers. In either of the cases, always have your documents ready.
• In cases where you would say you have relatives abroad, they may ask you to present your proof of relationship to ensure they’re your relatives. And moreover, you would be required to let the officials know if your relative is employed at the country of your destination.

 

SECONDARY QUESTIONS

When the immigration officials deem necessary,

The one thing that the immigration officials will always ask you regardless of anything is if you have enough funds to travel. This is a concern for every traveler.

But, there’s a twist to this;

If you’re a first time tourist to a not so popular destination, then you may be questioned by the officials.

Travelers or tourists with no steady incomes in the Philippines are also under their radars.

Remember: Financial capability is not a requirement unless the person traveling appears to have a different reason for traveling, from what he has declared before an immigration official.

How to deal with this?

You just need to prove it to immigration, that you’re coming back to the Philippines soon, or at least you have the financial means to support this trip.

Always have these documents carried with you:

1. Company ID
2. A copy of the latest income tax return
3. Certificate of Employment (the best thing that indicates your salary and for how long you’ve been attached to the company)

This clearly means you have something to return for, and that’s about it. You’re sorted!

In cases where you’re a freelancer or self-employed, the following documents can be your life savior:

1. A copy of your income tax return for the past year. If you pay taxes for yourself then you should have this. If the client paid for you, they usually give you a copy of it, make sure you have it.
2. A document like the Certificate of Employment, where the client(s) can certify that you’re doing some kind of business with them. The address and contact number of the client must be specified. Best of this can be if it includes the salary and how long you’ve been working with them.
3. If you’re the sole proprietor of a company, make sure you have the copy of your business registration certificate.

 

FINAL NOTE:

This entire discussion leads us to three main points:

1. Have all the required requirements: Valid passport, return tickets, and visas.
2. Bring all the copy of documents that can prove you as traveler or tourist. This will prove that you will not be working or looking for a job and you can afford this trip. (Documents: Company ID, Income Tax Return, Hotel reservation, the credit card you used to book the ticket or a copy of it if it’s not yours.
3. Be honest and confident. Whatever they may ask you, answer truthfully. Being honest makes you more confident. Also, know your trip very well. You don’t need a printed itinerary, but know your plan at the back of your head.

 

The key to all these problems is to answer self-confidently, consistently, and honestly.