 |
| Photo source: Google / Edited by yours truly. |
I finally had my first international trip this year and it's none other than the city of lights, Hong Kong! Since it was my first time to get out of the country, I expected that I will have a hard time in our immigration. I searched on Google for tips and all the blogs that I have visited have one thing in common in their posts, that is to BE HONEST. Immigration officers are trained to know if you are lying or not. You may find them intimidating but don't let that get the best out of you. Plus, you don't have to worry at all if you are going to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.
Before we proceed to my Do's and Don'ts, keep in mind that we will have or we all have different experiences in the immigration. You may experience a smooth or a not-so-smooth one. Just to give you a little background with myself, I work as an online English as a Secondary Tutor and we don't have a company ID (and as we all know, our occupation is one of the important things they will ask in the immigration. It gives them the proof that you have enough funds and you will go back in the Philippines and not stay illegally in other countries) So let's start the Do's and Don'ts:
DO's:
- You must arrive in the airport at least 3 hours before your boarding time. (You don't want to be like me that I arrived maybe an hour and a half before my boarding time. And I'm telling you, it's not enough.)
- Prepare the three most important documents: Round Trip Airfare Tickets, Hotel Accommodation, and your passport. (They need a printed RT Airfare Ticket and Hotel Accommodation). *You also have to fill up the departure form when you get there)
- You may also be needing to provide your: Company ID, Certificate of Employment, Certificate of Individual Contractor (for freelancers or online workers like me), Letter from your employer that you are allowed to have a vacation, Income Tax Returns, Bank Statements and the like.
- Bring your own pen just in case you will undergo second screening because you are going to fill up another form aside from the departure form.
- Be relaxed.
- If you didn't understand a specific question, politely ask the immigration officer to repeat the question.
- BE HONEST.
- Pray. (Seriously. Hehe)
DONT's:
- Don't show unnecessary documents / IDs to the immigration officer. Let me explain this one, when it was my turn, I was asked to show my passport, round trip airfare tickets, hotel accommodation, and ID. Unfortunately, we don't have our company ID in my current work as I work as an online ESL tutor. What I showed was my Certificate of Individual Contractor. Also, when I was about to show my ID, I was hesitant because the only valid ID I have at the moment is my Voter's ID (which is a laminated one). I just thought that maybe they would not accept that ID or maybe they would ask for another one so I decided to show my old company ID, too. The immigration officer then handed me a form and asked me to go to another immigration officer for a second screening. This part was terrifying for me, the IO asked a lot of questions about my personal life like the occupation of my parents, my educational attainment, and so on. (Madami pa sya ibang tinanong kaso too personal na.) After that, the IO put "allowed" in my form and asked me to go back to the first IO. I thought it was already good. Unfortunately, the first IO went to the bathroom so my waiting game became a little longer. And the ground attendant was giving me a warning already that I might be offloaded soon because I was the only one left. When the first IO finally came, she reviewed my form but she was really confused about my old ID and asked me to show a proof that I don't work for that company anymore. And to be honest, I don't have any proof. What I told the IO was that, "I'm sorry I cannot show any proof or resignation letter. But I can show you my ITRs with the other companies that I have already worked for." The ground attendant told me that I am already offloaded because the plane was leaving soon. I then asked them to give me another minute and give me a chance. The IO told me not to show that ID again because it brings total confusion. She then put a stamp on my passport and the other guards and IO shouted "TAKBO, MA'AM!" I said "I'm sorry, and thank you." After that, I was like running for my life. As in TAKBO, BES! Lol
- DON'T LIE. Opposite of my Do's which is to be honest. Of course, don't think even for a second to lie. As I've told you, immigration officers are well trained to know if you are lying or not.
So there's my experience regarding our immigration. It was terrifying but it was all worth it! How about you? Comment below to share your experience in the immigration and you can also add more tips so that we could help our other readers. Thank you for reading!
 |
| Sky Terrace 428, The Peak, Hong Kong |
Check out my Facebook account at www.facebook.com/cesspiano for more photos or wait for my Hong Kong blog post. :)
