Philippine Immigration Tips & FAQs For Your International Travels

Traveling abroad is one of the most enriching and exciting experiences in life. Every moment deserves to be enjoyed—from organizing your requirements to creating itineraries to experiencing newfound wonders. 

If it’s your first time traveling abroad, you’re probably feeling a little anxious about your immigration interview. But with the right preparation, there’s no doubt you can pass your interview smoothly and enjoy your much-deserved vacation! 

Below, we list down the best tips to keep in mind:

1. Complete all requirements and bring supporting documents as back-up

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No matter what destination you’re going to, it’s best to have a checklist of all the necessary documents you need to bring. 

• Valid passport

• Visa (if applicable) 

• Return flight ticket 

For good measure, it also helps a great deal to bring supporting documents that will convince immigration officers that your only purpose for travel is leisure. 

• Hotel reservation 

• Travel itinerary 

• Company ID 

• Certificate of employment

• Approved leave of absence 

• Invitation letter (for travelers staying with family and friends) 

Aside from these, you should also take time to check the immigration requirements of your destination country to avoid any possible hiccups during your arrival.

2. Dress appropriately

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What you wear says a lot about you more than you think, at least in the eyes of immigration officers. Dressing appropriately doesn’t mean you need to wear formal attire. One unwritten rule that frequent travelers swear by is to dress accordingly based on the weather or cultural traditions of the country you’re visiting.

For example, if you’re going to a place for winter, you can’t go to the airport wearing sleeveless tops and flip-flops. If you’re traveling to the Middle East, you should respect their dress code and not wear skin-revealing clothes. Looking neat and tidy will help you establish your identity as a tourist, and most importantly, show immigration officers that you are trustworthy.

3. Fill out forms accurately and legibly

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Say you’re already at the airport, have paid your travel tax, and checked in your baggage; the next step is to proceed to the immigration booth for your interview. But before you do, fill out the Departure Card. You’ll need to provide your personal information, passport number, address abroad, and flight details, so have those ready even before you arrive at the airport. 

If you must, write these details in a piece of paper or create a digital folder in your device for all your files. This way, you don’t have to fish out your phone, passport, and other documents while filling out the form.

You may also do this online  within 72 hours prior departure via etravel.gov.ph. Doing so will grant you a QR code you need to present to airport representatives before boarding your flight, which will make the process faster once you arrive in the airport. 

4. Remain calm, positive, and respectful 

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During the interview, immigration officers will be asking questions that will help them assess your true travel purpose. It’s their role as officers to ensure that you’re prepared and capable to travel, and that you’ll not be working illegally or fall into scams once you get to your destination. 

Be confident yet calm. Give them straightforward answers. Don’t let your nerves get to you. The truth is there’s no formula nor a list of standard questions being asked during interviews. Immigration officers ask different things to every traveler. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll only be asked a question or two and you’re done. You just have to be prepared for the most basic ones. 

Immigration FAQs and How to Answer Them

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• Is this your first time to travel abroad? 

Answer with a yes or a no. If it’s indeed your first time, be confident and show that you have done your research well and you are capable of handling yourself. It’s a common red flag for immigration officers to see first-time travelers who have no idea what’s going to happen to them once they land in their destination country.

• Who are you traveling with?

Tell them who you’ll be with during your trip. If you’re traveling with a buddy or a group, it helps that you fall in line beside each other so the officer can easily see you. If you’re traveling solo, establish your reason for traveling and be confident about it.  

• What activities will you do there? 

Give them a brief answer about what tourist spots you’ll visit and activities you’ll try in your destination country. Then, you may offer showing your travel itinerary for their additional reference. Make sure you know what you put in your itinerary. Officers might ask questions about it to ensure that you are the one who prepared it.

• What do you do for a living?

Answer your job title as straightforwardly as possible. There’s no need to try to explain what exactly you do on a daily basis if it’s not asked. If you’re employed by a company, you can show them your certificate of employment or approved vacation leave. If you’re a freelancer and you don’t have any of these, show them certifications from your clients or your business registration. If you’re unemployed, be ready to prove that you have money to finance your trip or travel with someone who is capable of doing so. 

• Where will you be staying? 

Memorize the name and address of your hotel and, if asked, show them a booking confirmation. However, if you will be staying at a family member’s or friend’s place, tell them their name, address, and place of work in case they are asked.

• When will you return to the Philippines?

Tell them the date of your return and show them your flight ticket. This question may be asked repeatedly, in different ways, like “How many days will you be staying there?” Be careful and make sure that your answers are consistent.

The golden rule is to be as truthful as possible. If you’re truly just traveling abroad for a tour, there is nothing to be worried about. Just be prepared, follow these tips, and enjoy your best trip yet. 

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Good luck!