You spent weeks sending applications to licensed recruitment agencies and after months of processing, and hurrah! You are now heading the airport, ready to work abroad. But you need to go through one more final jolt to your overseas employment destination – the Bureau of Immigration’s mandatory interview at the airport.
Passengers are advised to go through this few hours prior to their flight schedule. This is where the Immigration Officers determine whether he/she is qualified to leave or will get offloaded.
What is offloading?
It is a deferred passenger’s exit from one country to another. An OFW or any passenger leaving the country who is unable to present sufficient documents, gives inconsistent response to interview questions may be offloaded.Ways to avoid getting offloaded at the airport:
Here are some tips to ensure a smooth departure:
1. Double-check your travel and working documents. Have your important documents handy such as:
- Philippine passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of departure
- Validly-issued Airline ticket
- Validly-issued and POEA-conforming overseas employment contract
- Validly-issued and POEA-conforming Visa
- Valid Overseas Employment Certificate from POEA
- Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) Certificate
2. Know your overseas employment details.
Identifying your job description and your foreign employer’s basic information will be helpful to establish your intention of leaving the country – and when you will return to the Philippines.
3. Be truthful and consistent in your responses.
Stay calm while being interview by the immigration officer. Answer directly what is being asked.
4. Dress appropriately.
If your host country is in the Middle East region, be sure to dress accordingly. Immigration officers take note of this.
And while these tips might help you getting offloaded, IOs may also hold you longer before joining your scheduled flight if you have an offloading history.
What to do if you get offloaded?
Leave the lane modestly and casually. Queue on a different immigration counter and undergo another screening.
Remember that the Bureau of Immigration is screening each departing passenger thoroughly to avoid human trafficking and help keep the safety of travelers. The decision to prevent the passenger from catching the trip is the Immigration Officer’s discretion.
WorkAbroad.ph wants you to have a hassle-free flight so keep these tips in mind. Bon voyage!