Documents Needed to Avoid Being Offloaded at Philippine Immigration

Although as Filipinos, we have a liberty or right to travel in and out of Philippines (as Article III, Section 6 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution - https://chr.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Human-RIghts-Advisory-Right-to-Freedom-of-Movement-CHR-V-A2020-013.pdf). You can also some immigration policies under: Republic Act No. 7610 o ang Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. Immigration officers enforce strict procedures and regulations for departing travelers for several reasons. These reasons are generally based on the country's immigration and security policies: 

1. Illegal Migration Prevention: 

Immigration officers are tasked with preventing illegal migration, which could include individuals attempting to work or stay in another country without the necessary visas or permits. This is to ensure that people entering a country have the appropriate legal status. 

2. National Security: 

Countries have a responsibility to protect their national security by preventing individuals with potential criminal or terrorist affiliations from entering or leaving. Strict screening processes help identify individuals who might pose a security risk. 

3. Human Trafficking and Smuggling: 

Stricter immigration checks help combat human trafficking and smuggling by identifying and stopping individuals who might be coerced or deceived into illegal activities. 

4. Return Assurance: 

Immigration officers want to ensure that individuals leaving their country have the means to return. Immigration officers might ask about travel plans, return tickets, and financial resources to ensure that people won't end up stranded in another country. 

5. Visa Violation Detection: 

Individuals who have violated the terms of their visa, such as working without proper authorization, may be flagged by immigration officers during departure checks. 

6. Documentation Verification, Public Health and Safety, Bilateral Agreements, etc. 

Avoid Being Offloaded 

Here are some tips that Filipino travelers might consider to help prevent offloading: 

1. Complete and Updated Documents: 


Make sure all required travel documents are complete, up-to-date, and valid, including your passport, visa (if applicable), return ticket, and other supporting documents. 

2. Clear Purpose of Travel: 


Be ready to provide clear and truthful information about your purpose of travel. Immigration officers often question travelers about their destination, duration of stay, and reason for going abroad. Be honest and consistent with your answers. 

3. Sufficient Financial Capacity
:

Show that you have enough funds to cover your travel expenses and stay abroad. This could include bank statements, credit cards, ITR or proof of sponsorship if applicable. 

4. Itinerary:


Have a detailed itinerary of your trip, including accommodation details, travel plans, and contact information of people you will be meeting abroad. 

5. Supporting Documents and Ties to the Philippines
:

If you're traveling for work or business purposes, have employment certificates, company IDs, business permits, or conference invitations as proof. If you're a student, provide enrollment certificates or school IDs. 

6. Confidence and Courtesy: 


Approach immigration officers with confidence and courtesy. Prepare for possible questions about your trip. Where are you headed? Why? How long will you stay? Confidence and concise answers are your travel buddies here. Answer their questions calmly and respectfully 

7. Stand Up for Your Rights:

You have rights as a traveler. Don't hesitate to ask for clarification if things aren't clear. You're entitled to know why you're being held or questioned. 

Commonly asked questions by Immigration Officers:

*Why are you going to the <country>?
*Have you been to the out of Philippines before?
*Do you have relatives in <country>? 
*Who is going to sponsor your visit?
*Where will you stay in the <country>?
*What are you going to do in <country>?
*What is the purpose of your trip?
*Do you have return air tickets?
*How much is your budget from this trip?
*What places do you want to visit?
*How long will you stay in <country>?
*What is the guarantee that you will come back?
*What work do you do and what company?
*Did you take leave at your job? 

Remember that the role of immigration officers is to ensure that your travel is legal, safe, and compliant with regulations. Following these tips and being prepared can help increase your chances of a smooth departure without offloading issues.

Enjoy planning your international trip! 

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How To Apply For Schengen Switzerland Visa In Singapore

ABBEY: As a tourist going to Europe, we need to apply for Schengen Visa. Apply it to the country where you will be staying the most on your trip. We prepared the documents and booked a schedule in VFS Global (Visa Application Center) which costs SGD32 per person. Additional SGD130 per person for the actual visa. We paid both fees with a credit card. 

Be in the center on time. We were given a queue number after security check. Put your phone in silent mode and if possible do not use it while in there. 

Dress in casual fashion. Do not wear colored contact lenses. All is going well until we were asked about one of our accommodations. It turned out that our printed document didn’t show the dates of our stay. Mani, VFS staff, is kind enough to have it mailed to him and printed it out. After document processing came the photo session and finger printing. 

A total of additional SGD8 for miscellaneous services (printing, SMS notification service) were paid and we’re given a receipt. We were able to receive messages that our docs were forwarded to the embassy as well as it is ready for pickup (after 4 days). 

Be sure to bring the receipt along with you for passport collection. The process is smooth and seamless as if you’re being given a taste of warm hospitality waiting for you in Europe. 

How To Apply For Schengen Switzerland Visa In Singapore

WILL:  Documentation... This is the part that visa applicants should be really careful. So how do we fill up our application form? You can refer to below photo as sample. 

How To Fill Up Application Form For Schengen Switzerland Visa In Singapore 

The next requirement you need to furnish is the itinerary. This will be checked against your printed hotel booking confirmation. 

How To Apply For Schengen Switzerland Visa In Singapore - Travel Itinerary

On my case, I need a sponsorship’s letter. This is the format we used. Feel free to copy it. Please do remember that one application should be furnished for each person. 

How To Apply For Schengen Switzerland Visa In Singapore - Sponsorship Letter

This is the link for the documents required for visa application according to travel purpose. We followed Temporary Visit for Sight-seeing For Single Entry and this is the list and we highlighted it in RED the documents that mostly of the applicants were lacking:  

Principal Visa Applicant:

1. One application form duly completed and signed.

2. Two (2) photographs no more than 6-months old, 35–40mm in width, white background.

3. Original passport or travel document valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Schengen area

4. Provide photocopy of the passport data page

5. Previous Schengen visas within last 3 years 

6. Valid USA/UK visas if available

7. Proof of legal residence valid at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen territory. Original plus 1 photocopy back and front of Employment Pass / Permanent Resident card and re-entry permit / Dependent Pass / Student Pass, showing validity (print-out of SG work pass app)

8. Original letter from the applicant's employer: confirming employment, duration of recruitment, status, income and upcoming leave. The original company letter (must be physically signed and stamped) must be submitted.

9. A booking for a round-trip airline ticket or printout of a flight reservation with the applicant’s name (final destination must be outside Schengen territory).

10. A travel itinerary including hotel/apartment reservations for the entire trip in the Schengen area. Train or bus tickets to be submitted for missing nights e.g. overnight train/bus.

11. Schengen travel/medical insurance with following coverage: 

       * Medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation for medical reasons, repatriation of mortal remains, for at least EUR 30’000;

       * Valid for entire Schengen area; 

       * Valid for entire duration of stay in the Schengen area.  A travel insurance explicitly excluding insurance benefits in relation with Covid-19 cannot be accepted.

12. Proof of the applicant's financial circumstances: Please submit complete detailed bank statements of the last 3 months with bank letterhead and the name of the account holder.

13. Tourist Visa Checklist

14. VFS Appointment Letter

Sponsored Visa Applicant:

1. One application form duly completed and signed.

2. Two (2) photographs no more than 6-months old, 35–40mm in width, white background.

3.Original passport or travel document valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Schengen area

4. Provide photocopy of the passport data page

5. Previous Schengen visas within last 3 years 

6. Valid USA/UK visas if available

7. Proof of legal residence valid at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen territory. Original plus 1 photocopy back and front of Employment Pass / Permanent Resident card and re-entry permit / Dependent Pass / Student Pass, showing validity (print-out of SG work pass app)

8. A booking for a round-trip airline ticket or printout of a flight reservation with the applicant’s name (final destination must be outside Schengen territory).

9. A travel itinerary including hotel/apartment reservations for the entire trip in the Schengen area. Train or bus tickets to be submitted for missing nights e.g. overnight train/bus.

10. Schengen travel/medical insurance with following coverage: 

       * Medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation for medical reasons, repatriation of mortal remains, for at least EUR 30’000;

       * Valid for entire Schengen area; 

       * Valid for entire duration of stay in the Schengen area.  A travel insurance explicitly excluding insurance benefits in relation with Covid-19 cannot be accepted.

11. Sponsor's Letter 

12. Sponsor's company/employment letter

13. Sponsor's passport copy

14. Sponsor's 3 months detailed bank statements

15. Original and Photocopy of Marriage Certificate 

16. Tourist Visa Checklist 

17. VFS Appointment Letter 

Please, please! Double check your documents specially the dates of hotel booking. VFS officers are keen in checking those against the intended number of nights in Schengen states. 

If you have question, you can just pm us in our facebook page! 

Happy Planning for your Europe Trip! 

***

Switzerland Visa Application Center - Singapore 

(W) https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/switzerland/singapore/english/Tourist.html 

(H) 9:00am to 1:30pm 

(A) 135 Cecil Street 08-01 Philippine Airlines Building, 069536 

(T) +6531051693

Luxury Hotels PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering - COLLECTION Club Lifestyle Room (COLLECTION Club Lounge Access)

ABBEY: I won a staycation from a work challenge and it is at ParkRoyal Collection Pickering. It is for 2D1N stay at their club room and includes access to their club lounge.

Check-in is at 3PM but we got our room ready by 12:30PM. Once we settled our things in the room, we put on our swimwear and hit the pool. It was refreshing. After a few laps and couples of minutes in the pool jet we went back to our room and prepare for afternoon tea. They have scones and siew mai which we were craving for. We went to their Urban Garden that showcases different plants and herbs. 

The building is full of greenery. Ample lights enter the rooms as the windows are not tinted. And if you need to hydrate you can always get a glass from their filtered water faucet. 

The cocktails started at 6PM and we lounged there until closing. The beer and beef chilli were perfect partners. We also had smoked salmon, cold cuts and cheese. A great way to wrap up the day. As the next day started, we headed down to Lime for breakfast buffet. I had a couple servings of bacon, pork sausage, fried chicken, blue pea rice; my own version of nasi lemak. 

For our last hurrah, we went up in the club lounge for the sparkling wine. Our stay is a blast! 

Ultimate Eco-Luxury Experience | A Night at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering

WILL: Abbey (being so competitve) won the Most Zero Waste and Carbon Conscious Activities Done in their 2023 Eco Challenge. And with a delight, he won a staycation with Lounge Access (worth SS600++) at ParkRoyal’s most instagrammable branch which is the Pickering. 

Abbey, now converted Eco-Lover, he researched why their company chose Pekroyal Pickering as their Grand Price. Except for their luscious greeneries, they do have a herb farm just beside their lounge, they have this massive window that welcomes the sunlight and open walkways that didn’t need an airconditionong and carpet. Those eco-efforts requires different perspective to design and a huge determination to lessen the carbon footprints. 

How about their room? It is spacious and well designed to get a view of their greeneries, bed is comfortable and toiletries are refillable (lesser plastics). They have Bacha for coffee and TWG for tea. TV channels has a pretty array of selection, but we USB plugs are not working nor airplay. 

Lounge is open whole day. You can order tea, coffee or fruit juice and have some cookies or fruits to consume. 

Teatime: my favourite is their vegetarian siew mai and I am regretting why I didn’t tried their scones. 

Evening Cocktails: love their cheese platter and crackers with, their nachos and impossible meat chili. Red wine is quite dry but champagne is irresistible to top up. Haha. 

Breakfast: they do have a meagre option but because of champagne, we opted to spend time in there. 

Lime Breakfast: offers blue pea Nasi Lemak and crispy pork bacon! What a lovely combination! 

Swimming pool has cold water and 30mins of swim and Vitamin D infusing is enough to enjoy the view of Hong Lim Park. 

Will definitely recommend this hotel. Their lounge is pretty nice to laze and people watching from above. Lovely place to plan for a goal!

***

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore 

(W) https://www.panpacific.com/en/booking... 

(A) 3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058289 

(T) +65 6809 8888