Philippine Immigration Tips for Unemployed and Homebased Online Worker or Freelancer

Finally publishing this article – Philippine Immigration Tips for Unemployed and Home-based Online Worker/Freelancer.

Passing through immigration is nerve-wracking especially if you are a first-timer or unemployed or an online worker. It’s a bit different from having office jobs here was you could easily present your company ID, and they wouldn’t ask you too many questions. With many offload stories we hear or read from Facebook, it makes us doubt whether we could make it or not.

Immigration Officers are strict in screening people because that’s their job; they want to monitor the people leaving the country, make sure those that are going out for “tourism” won’t TnT or work abroad, and the citizens won’t be involved in Human Trafficking. They are there to check whether your intentions are genuine and to keep you safe.

A bit scared? Here are helpful tips that could help you pass through Philippine immigration, especially if you are unemployed or a home-based online worker or a Freelancer:

Check Your Passport

Before going abroad, check if your passport is still valid; no visible tears or wet marks or if the bar code is still readable. See if it is still valid six months before your flight. If it is not, please renew it as soon as possible.

Apply for Visa (if Possible)

Check if the country you are applying for is Visa-Free or Visa on Arrival; here’s the list. If it’s not, make sure to apply for a Visa or an eVisa before your departure.

Prepare necessary documents

Remember, as an unemployed citizen; the IO will check if there’s a possibility that you are going outside the country to look for a job. Don’t be pasaway and pretend to be a tourista to go out of the country and get employed there, madadamay yung taong gusto lang magbakasyon kasi magiging mahigpit ang IO if mag-iincrease ang TNT. So if you’re going there to relax and have a vacation, here are the documents needed for the unemployed:

• Return Ticket – a proof that you’ll come back to the Philippines
• Bank Statements or Credit Cards – even if you are unemployed, you need a document showing you have money to afford your trip abroad
• Affidavit of Support – in case another person is paying for your trip
• Proof that you are on vacation – hotel bookings, attraction bookings
• Itinerary –evidence that you know where you are going

For freelancers, the crucial point there is proving that you are one and that you indeed have a job and not looking for another outside of the country. Here are the documents needed for an home-based online worker or a freelancer:

• Return Ticket – a proof that you’ll come back to the Philippines
• Proof that you are on vacation – hotel bookings, attraction bookings
• Itinerary –evidence that you know where you are going
• Certificate of Employment or Contract – you can ask this from your employer or client
• Paypal Transactions or Receipts or Bank Transfers – proof that the client or employer is indeed paying you for your services
• Conversations (you can screenshot them or open them in your phone or laptop just in case the IO asks for more proof)
• Bank Statement or Credit Cards – though it’s not vital as you have proven you have a job, it’s better safe than sorry

I don’t have a bank statement because I’m not paying for my trip, what will I do?

If you’re traveling with your sponsor, then you can tell the IO that he/she will cover your expenses. An affidavit of Support may be asked. If it’s with family, it will be a breeze. However, if it’s your boyfriend or girlfriend, they might ask for pictures or proof. If the person is a foreigner, IO will also ask how long you’ve been together and see photographs; this is to avoid human trafficking.

Make sure you have the documents of your sponsor – their ID, proof of your relationship, and also their proof of address.

I don’t have an itinerary; I’ll go with the flow when I’m there.

If you don’t know where you are going, then that’s pretty dangerous and might get you offloaded because you’re a good target for being trafficked. Also, if you don’t have one, IO will get suspicious and think you’ll be applying for jobs instead of touring.

I don’t have an itinerary; someone I know is touring me.

It’s better to ask in advance what you will do or research the place you’re going to. With technology and social media, you can easily copy one’s route. I recently saw a post that an unemployed person travels for the first time abroad and was asked for an itinerary, but she didn’t have one nor have an idea where she’s going, that’s a bit of a red flag for IO, so she was offloaded.

Again, make sure you have the documents of your sponsor – their ID, proof of your relationship and also their proof of address.

Go to the airport early

Go to the airport three to four hours before your flight as you need to get your boarding pass and line for immigration. You won’t be accommodated immediately if your flight is almost boarding, you are not the only one who has a flight or is in a hurry. Hindi ito time para sa Filipino Time.

Check your boarding pass

Know where your boarding gate is and what time you are boarding, so you won’t get lost after you pass through immigration. Plus, when you window shop within the airport, you’ll know what time to enter the plane.

Bring a pen

It’s better to have your pen since you will be writing your departure card to be passed to IO, baka mataas yung line for the free pen. Don’t forget to write legibly.

Dress Smart

Dress smartly, wag pambahay, at least you are presentable; shirt, jeans, and shoes will do. You can also bring a jacket just in case it gets cold.  

Relax when you’re talking with the Immigration Officer

Before facing the IO, breathe in and out and pray. You got it! If you are there on tour and you want a vacation – claim it! Remember, they are people doing their job. Greet them a “good day” or smile and be polite. Give your passport, departure card, and boarding pass. Give documents when they are asked for by the IO.

Be Honest and Confident

Honesty is the best policy if you don’t have a job or a freelancer; tell them. There’s nothing wrong if you are unemployed or working online. Be consistent with your answers and give documents to prove your answer. Look at the IO eye to eye, if you’re not hiding anything then the officer will see it.

Do Not Offer Excess Information

“Do you have a job, what is it?” ”Who are you traveling with?” “When will you come back?” You can answer with a Yes or No or something with less than three words. Hindi ito pageant, so no need to respond in a paragraph. Many people are lining too, so you need to be quick. Plus if your answers are suspicious and not consistent, you’ll be subject to secondary inspection.

Enjoy Your Trip

Yehey, you got approved! Remember to enjoy your adventure.

If you traveling with a family, then it’s a plus since it’s somehow apparent you are there for a vacation. Especially if you have a kid with you, then it’s going to be hard to be a TNT or look for a job there. If you are also a frequent traveler then not many questions are asked. Philippine Immigration is a bit scary, but fear shouldn’t stop you from going to your dream destination. They are doing their job, and you can help them by providing honest answers.

Follow these Philippine Immigration tips, and it will help you pass the IO with ease even if you are unemployed or a home-based online worker or a freelancer. Enjoy your next adventure. Happy Travels!

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