Permit me to start out by saying that we, as residents, have a constitutional proper to journey. It’s enshrined in our structure. Nevertheless, this isn’t absolute.
That’s the reason we nonetheless undergo Immigration checks every time we go away the nation. And typically, vacationers get offloaded. However let’s make clear this primary. For the longest time, in different international locations, offloading means you’re already on the airplane after which requested to get off. However right here within the Philippines, it often means you weren’t allowed to board the airplane or ship within the first place. Immigration officers right here truly use the time period “deferred boarding”. So on this article, once we say offload, we imply you weren’t allowed to board.
So, what are the doable causes vacationers or enterprise vacationers get offloaded? On this put up, we’ll talk about the 10 pink flags that, in our expertise, have a tendency to lift extra questions when present process immigration inspection within the Philippines. Notice that we’re focusing solely on Philippine outbound immigration. We’ll cowl immigration procedures in different international locations in separate articles, since they fluctuate relying on the vacation spot.
DISCLAIMER! We aren’t immigration officers or immigration legal professionals. We aren’t from the Bureau of Immigration or Division of Overseas Affairs. The whole lot we’re sharing is predicated on interviews with our buddy who was once an immigration officer, in addition to on public paperwork and press releases from DFA and BI, together with the Pointers on Departure Formalities and our personal private experiences.
Fortunately, we now have by no means been offloaded ourselves, and we hope it stays that means. However we do know individuals who sadly have been. And over the previous 15 years that we now have been touring internationally, we now have picked up notes each time we undergo Immigration. Once more, we’re not I.O.s, so please take all the pieces we share with a grain of salt.
In abstract, a lot of the circumstances or causes on this checklist fall beneath one in every of these three classes:
- Subject with paperwork
- Suspicion of human trafficking/unlawful recruitment
- Suspicion of overstaying
Let’s undergo them one after the other, beginning with…
10 OFFLOADING RED FLAGS
Crimson Flag #1: Invalid Passport or Visa
Let’s begin with the only or most blatant one. You want a passport that isn’t simply legitimate, however should additionally has a minimum of six (6) months validity. It also needs to be readable and never broken or mutilated.
In case your vacation spot requires visa, ensure you have the best one and that it’s nonetheless legitimate. Each visa has a selected validity interval and allowed size of keep, so be sure that your journey dates should fall inside that interval. For instance, in case your Japan visa is sweet for 15 days solely, your keep shouldn’t exceed these 15 days.
And keep in mind that, though Filipinos take pleasure in visa-free entry to a number of international locations, it nonetheless comes with limits. For instance, in Taiwan, we’re not required to safe a visa if our keep is just 14 days or shorter. However whether it is longer than that, you could get a visa. It’s additionally 14 days for Hong Kong, 21 days for Vietnam, and 30 days for Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
And you probably have connecting flight, there are additionally circumstances the place you want a transit visa to your layover nation. If each legs of your journey are on the identical airline or are code-shared, you often don’t want one. However in case you are flying with totally different airways, you’ll most probably want a transit visa as a result of you’ll have to exit Immigration to select up your luggage and examine in once more. So, it’s essential to know and concentrate on these doable issues forward of time.
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Crimson Flag #2: Uncommon or Questionable Vacation spot
Vacationers heading to a rustic with an present deployment ban, alert degree, or journey advisory towards it are very more likely to bear secondary inspection.
However there are additionally locations with no journey ban, alert, or advisory however are nonetheless intently monitored by the authorities. These are locations that aren’t standard or widespread vacationer vacation spot for us Filipinos and have a big OFW inhabitants, comparable to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. These are often international locations within the Center East and Africa.
To be clear, we’re not saying that these sure locations are pink flags per se. However there are situations when the acknowledged tourism goal is questionable or doesn’t match the vacation spot. For instance, it’s your first time to journey overseas and you’re touring alone, then you definately declare your goal of journey is tourism. Nevertheless, your vacation spot is Cyprus. Even when I had been the immigration officer, I might most likely have doubts and have plenty of questions additionally.
First, Cyprus isn’t a typical tourism vacation spot for Pinoys. Second, there are various OFWs in Cyprus, so they may suppose or suspect that you simply would possibly truly be working there. And third, having Cyprus as your vacation spot to your first worldwide journey is a bit suspicious. Should you say you’re visiting a relative, which may make sense. However for tourism, it’s unusual for first-time vacation spot, particularly as a result of it’s fairly far. Often, Filipino vacationers’ go-to locations for his or her first worldwide journey are in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Japan — not Cyprus immediately.
However why do immigration officers take a look at this?
In accordance with the Bureau of Immigration’s press launch in 2014, “it’s a widespread follow for Filipinos to journey as vacationers and find yourself as undocumented staff overseas.”
They refer to those as “vacationer employee profiles”, which frequently embrace:
- First timers who’re going to locations that aren’t standard amongst vacationers
- Vacationers with no regular supply of revenue within the Philippines and no benefactors of their nation of vacation spot
That’s to not say that you probably have no journey historical past and you’re flying to uncommon vacation spot, you’ll robotically be offloaded. Nevertheless, you must count on extra questions.
In fact, there are additionally conditions the place it is smart to have a long-distance vacation spot even for first-time vacationers. Perhaps it’s a household journey and also you simply occur to be the primary timer within the group. To me, that’s simple to grasp.
It will also be a honeymoon journey, and you’re touring to Maldives or Europe. Or you’ll attend a marriage within the US or Canada. So long as you possibly can help your journey goal with the best paperwork, these are usually acceptable.
Crimson Flag #3: Inconsistent Goal of Journey
Your goal of journey needs to be per the paperwork you’ve. Are you touring for tourism or for enterprise? Ensure your paperwork all line up together with your declared goal.
For instance, when you say you’re attending a convention, be prepared to point out proof that there actually is a convention overseas. Or if you will a marriage, like I discussed earlier, you must be capable to current proof or supporting paperwork if requested. You must show that there’s actually a marriage.
In accordance with an article revealed by the Division of Overseas Affairs, particularly by Philippine Consulate Normal in Macau, “PROVE that you will your vacation spot nation for the PURPOSE that you’re making the journey. It’s possible you’ll be refused exit when you give CONTRADICTORY statements.”
In case you are touring as a TOURIST, you could set up that you propose to return to the Philippines and that you’ve the monetary capability to shoulder your journey. That’s the reason you will need to current proof of lodging, return ticket, proof of revenue, and clear journey itinerary. These usually are not requested or required each single time, however when you occur to get assigned to a strict immigration officer, it’s higher to have them prepared.
And talking of return ticket, it ought to match what you informed the I.O. or the allowed size of keep. For instance, you mentioned you’re coming again on January 10, however your return ticket exhibits March 10, that shall be an issue. We’ll talk about extra of this latern, however since we’re on the subject of paperwork…
Crimson Flag #4: Incomplete Paperwork
We regularly learn on Fb or hear tales like, “So-and-so bought offloaded as a result of the immigration officer is power-tripping.” More often than not, that’s the instant conclusion: The I.O. bullied them. I consider there are some circumstances like that. There are respectable vacationers who nonetheless get offloaded. BUT I additionally consider that more often than not, there may be truly a legitimate motive behind it, and all of it boils all the way down to preparation.
Relying in your case, there are particular paperwork required. For instance:
- If the traveler is a minor and never accompanied by both guardian or authorized guardian, a DSWD Clearance is required.
- In case you are a associate or partner of a foreigner meaning to depart to marry your fiancé, you need to safe a CFO Steerage and Counseling Certificates.
- In case you are a authorities worker, you could get a journey authority issued by the right workplace.
For native authorities staff, together with barangay officers and SK members, these are the issuing or approving authorities. LCE means native chief government.
For public faculty academics, some are saying they should current a journey authority signed by the Colleges Division Superintendent (SDS). We aren’t very acquainted with the method since we’re not academics.
There are additionally paperwork that will technically not be required, however the officer would possibly ask for them if they’ve doubts. And these paperwork will show that what you’re saying is true and might persuade the I.O. to consider you.
As our former Immigration Officer buddy, Kevin, mentioned in an interview on The Poor Traveler Podcast: The immigration course of is document-based.
In the identical means, when you mentioned you will a live performance they usually ask to your live performance ticket, you must current it. They won’t simply take your phrase for it.
In the event that they ask about your job — the place you’re employed or what you do for a dwelling, and also you talked about an organization, be prepared with firm ID or Certificates of Employment. They might or might not examine, however it’s higher to be ready, simply in case.
Many people have that “baka lulusot” mentality as a result of we heard {that a} buddy or a vlogger didn’t get requested for sure paperwork. So, you assume you’ll not be requested, too. However what in case you are requested?
Bear in mind: the immigration officer doesn’t know you. That is your first time assembly them. So that they don’t have anything to carry on besides the paperwork you present them after they ask for it, particularly in case you are a first-time traveler. They don’t have any report about you. They aren’t certain if you’ll return. So all the time err on the aspect of warning and put together all of the doable paperwork you may be requested to current.
Crimson Flag #5: Can’t Show Monetary Functionality
You can’t set up your monetary functionality to journey.
As what the Bureau of Immigration beforehand acknowledged, vacationers who usually tend to be questioned are:
- First-time vacationers flying to a not-so-popular vacation spot.
- Vacationers with no regular supply of revenue within the Philippines and no benefactors.
We already mentioned the primary level earlier (Crimson Flag #2). This time, let’s concentrate on the second merchandise: Vacationers with no regular supply of revenue and no sponsor.
When immigration officers ask us about our job, the place we work, and typically, even examine our firm ID or COE (Certificates of Employment). Apart from figuring out when you can afford to journey, they’re additionally assessing you probably have a robust ties to the Philippines and a transparent motive to return, and never turn into undocumented OFWs.
In case you are unemployed or unable to obviously show your supply of revenue, count on to get requested extra questions and a chance to undergo secondary inspection.
However let’s be clear. In a earlier press launch, the Bureau of Immigration emphasised this: Monetary functionality is NOT a requirement. Nevertheless, “an individual might solely be requested to current additional proof for his journey overseas if the individual seems to have a motive totally different from what he has declared earlier than an immigration official.”
However what can unemployed vacationers do? Often, immigration officers additionally ask for Affidavit of Help and Assure (AOSG).
However then once more, simply because you’ve an Affidavit of Help doesn’t imply you’re robotically cleared to depart the nation. That’s the place Purpose #6 is available in.
Crimson Flag #6: Unable to Show Relationship with Companion
You can’t show your relationship together with your companion or sponsor.
Many assume that having a sponsor or inviter overseas makes it simpler for them to get a departure clearance from immigration officers. Sadly, it doesn’t work that means. In some circumstances, I.O.s might even ask a lot of these vacationers to current paperwork to show their relationship with their sponsor or inviter.
The bureau is document-based. For instance, when you say somebody is your sister, you need to present a doc proving that — like delivery certificates.
Really, we skilled this ourselves on one in every of our journeys to Singapore. It was my aunt’s first worldwide flight, and the I.O. was doubting that she and my mom had been associated as a result of they bought totally different final names they usually had totally different facial options. Good factor we had been ready and introduced supporting paperwork with us.
And one other factor: even you probably have Affidavit of Help, that isn’t an specific move. It doesn’t robotically clear you. In accordance with the Division of Overseas Affairs (DFA), “The Affidavit of Help and Assure is NOT a 100% GUARANTEE so that you can be allowed exit from the nation; it’s only a SUPPORTING DOCUMENT that strengthens your CLAIM to LEGITIMATE TRAVEL.”
In the long run, the immigration officer nonetheless has the ultimate say on whether or not you’ve sufficiently established your goal of journey.
Different particulars concerning the sponsor additionally matter, comparable to your relationship to them and whether or not they’re Filipino or foreigner. Which brings us to Purpose #7…
Crimson Flag #7: Touring with a Non-Relative Sponsor
You might be accompanied or sponsored by a non-relative foreigner and also you should not have the capability to journey.
In accordance with the identical memorandum and press launch from Bureau of Immigration, included within the checklist of vacationers who could also be topic to secondary inspection are: “Vacationers with out monetary capability to journey escorted or accompanied by a foreigner who isn’t associated.”
In accordance with Kevin, this is likely one of the circumstances that the Bureau often takes a better take a look at and be careful for due to the excessive danger of human trafficking or unlawful recruitment.
Should you’re touring for leisure or tourism and being sponsored by a foreigner who isn’t associated to you — say, a boyfriend, girlfriend, and even only a buddy — however the catch is, it’s your first time to fulfill in individual, you’ll most probably be offloaded.
It’s actually arduous to show the connection if it isn’t on paper. Bear in mind, immigration choices largely depend on the paperwork introduced. In case you are married, you possibly can present your marriage certificates. In case you are associated by blood, a delivery certificates works. However in case you are solely courting, it is rather difficult as a result of there isn’t a authorities doc to formally show the connection.
On-line communication, chats, or pictures are simple to pretend or manipulate digitally, so they aren’t thought-about robust proof. So the tendency of immigration officer is to guard the Filipino traveler, particularly if additionally they lack monetary capability to journey as a result of they are going to be very weak overseas.
Truthfully, we consistently obtain messages from folks on this identical state of affairs asking for recommendation. However we discover it arduous to provide steerage or recommendation as a result of these circumstances are difficult and sophisticated.
Crimson Flag #8: Inconsistent or Unbelievable Solutions
When going through an immigration officer and being requested questions, we should reply confidently, constantly, and honestly.
And as we all the time say, an important of the three is TRUTHFULLY. Should you inform the reality, even when the officer fires a number of questions at you or twists them round, it’s simpler to stay assured and constant.
It’s true that there are some vacationers with trustworthy intentions, that they actually simply wish to tour, however they’ll nonetheless get offloaded. However mendacity or making up tales will make it exponentially worse. It’s arduous to maintain monitor of lies, and I consider that immigration officers are skilled to identify lies or inconsistencies.
Ensure you know all the main points of your journey: the place you’re going, the place you’ll keep, when you’ll return to the Philippines, and different related data. In our case, once we journey with household and have first-timers or inexperienced vacationers, we often maintain a fast briefing at a café or restaurant on the airport simply to ensure that we’re on the identical web page and are acquainted with the main points of the journey. As a result of even amongst household or teams, folks can nonetheless get offloaded.
Now we have witnessed it first hand. One one flight, a gaggle was seated behind and beside us, and two of their companions had been offloaded. Now we have additionally witnessed somebody in a gaggle being endorsed to secondary inspection whereas we had been within the queue.
If an officer asks for a doc, simply present it. If they’ve query about it, reply honestly. Getting too nervous could make issues worse. Attempt to calm down.
Crimson Flag #9: Earlier Immigration Violations or Felony Information
An immigration officer can cease you from flying if you’re on a watch checklist or you probably have excellent authorized or prison case right here within the Philippines.
And it isn’t simply prison report. You probably have a historical past of overstaying overseas, count on to get plenty of questions. You probably have carried out it earlier than, you can’t fault them in the event that they assume you can do it once more.
In accordance with a Rappler article primarily based on a press launch from Bureau of Immigration, passengers who are sometimes topic to secondary inspection additionally embrace:
“Passengers who stayed overseas for a couple of yr throughout a earlier departure from the nation as a vacationer/short-term customer, meaning to depart for the second and/or subsequent time.”
That’s the reason it is usually essential to hold a clear journey report. If it’s your first time and the officer asks if you find yourself coming again, ensure you return on that date. Apparently, that is typically famous within the system, they usually can see that you simply did return on the date you declared.
Crimson Flag #10: Beforehand Offloaded With out Compliance
Right here’s a abstract of what our buddy Kevin mentioned about this:
Should you had been beforehand offloaded and didn’t adjust to the required paperwork, attempting to depart the nation once more from a unique airport, is not going to assist. For instance, one passenger was offloaded at Clark Worldwide Airport within the morning, then tried to depart from NAIA later that night with out fixing the difficulty. Since her offloading report is already within the system, the passenger was offloaded once more.
In brief, ensure you adjust to the necessities first earlier than trying to depart the nation once more.
Be a part of The Poor Traveler Help Group
✅ You probably have any questions or want journey ideas, be happy to put up them to the TPT Help Group. The members are very useful. This Fb help group has been round for a very long time, and plenty of members have discovered journey buddies by way of it. You possibly can be a part of too! Simply go to The Poor Traveler Help Group. Notice that that is totally different from The Poor Traveler Fb web page.
Defend your funds when touring!
Getting a journey insurance coverage is non-compulsory, however we extremely advocate this, particularly when touring overseas. Journey will be unpredictable, and although we hope we’ll by no means use it, having it offers us peace of thoughts in case of surprising delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
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