Gf Coming From The Philippines, Exit Problems?

[Chan mai roo crap]

My Girlfriend, who got herself a passport without any problems, is booked to arrive in Bangkok on th 21st of this month. Does anyone know if she is likely to encounter any difficulties with the Immigration authorities in Manila?

As I mentioned, she is a first time traveler and is 19 years old. She has a return ticket to her hometown, a Thai ATM card, which I left with her on my last trip to visit her, I also emailed her a letter of invitation to take a vacation here for a month. I also wonder if she will have a problem with the Thai Imm.

I want to be prepared, just in case.

[PattayaParent]

I have heard of single females being questioned when leaving Philippines as the authorities are concerned that they are being tricked into prostitution by trafficking rings.

She shouldn't have a problem with Thai immigration with a return ticket and your letter of invitation.

[junkofdavid2]

She'll have to "prove" to the Philippine immigration a-holes that she's not coming to Thailand to work, and that she's a genuine tourist. Especially if she looks "low-classed" (no offense). Believe me, you can't tell if you're farang... I had to work in the Philippines for several years before I could distinguish low-class from high-class... but the Filipinos themselves can tell very easily. Filipinos have to register with some government office if they're legitimately gona work abroad.

They're even MORE snobbish than Thais when it comes to social class; separated not only by fairness of skin color, but by language as well (the upper class families use English as their first language; the lower and middle classes can speak very good 'textbook' English by Asian standards, learned in school; but it certainly isn't their first language).

If she's never traveled before and she's already 19, that's a very strong indicator in the Philippines that a person is "low class" as the upper class kids tend to travel abroad for vacation with their families at least every summer school break. (Again, no offense meant, but that's the challenge she may face at immigration. Just trying to be helpful to you and her.)

.

Edited January 14, 2010 by junkofdavid2

[tropo]

She'll have to "prove" to the Philippine immigration a-holes that she's not coming to Thailand to work, and that she's a genuine tourist. Especially if she looks "low-classed" (no offense). Believe me, you can't tell if you're farang... I had to work in the Philippines for several years before I could distinguish low-class from high-class... but the Filipinos themselves can tell very easily. Filipinos have to register with some government office if they're legitimately gona work abroad.

They're even MORE snobbish than Thais when it comes to social class; separated not only by fairness of skin color, but by language as well (the upper class families use English as their first language; the lower and middle classes can speak very good 'textbook' English by Asian standards, learned in school; but it certainly isn't their first language).

If she's never traveled before and she's already 19, that's a very strong indicator in the Philippines that a person is "low class" as the upper class kids tend to travel abroad for vacation with their families at least every summer school break. (Again, no offense meant, but that's the challenge she may face at immigration. Just trying to be helpful to you and her.)

You have an extremely jaded attitude toward the Philippines. Although there is some truth in what you say (more bs though), the Philippine Immigration officers are usually fair and not quite the monsters you make them out to be. If you treat them with courtesy they'll usually respond in kind. If you raise your voice and start acting pompous you could have some problems.

She will not have to prove anything at all but they will not let her leave if she doesn't have a return ticket within 30 days. The airline check in staff will not check her in if she doesn't have a return ticket.

Philippines immigration may casually ask her why she's going to Thailand. A simple answer that she is going there to meet her foreigner boyfriend should be more than enough.

My Filipino girl has exited the Philippines at NAIA many times and never had any problems (starting from age 18). I often have her stand in a separate line so that the Immigration Officers don't know we're together just to test it out. Still no problems.

[junkofdavid2]

Mate, I've seen it happen to the girls right in front of me, being ego-tripped by those immigration officers... on at least 3 separate occasions. And he was asking the girls to show "documents" to prove that they are tourists. I couldn't help but feel pity for them (the girls)... In all 3 cases, the immigration officer was "young male." Haven't seen it happen with philippine female immigration officers (yet) but I don't go that country as often anymore as my work is now in BKK.

[tropo]

Mate, I've seen it happen to the girls right in front of me, being ego-tripped by those immigration officers... on at least 3 separate occasions. And he was asking the girls to show "documents" to prove that they are tourists. I couldn't help but feel pity for them (the girls)... In all 3 cases, the immigration officer was "young male." Haven't seen it happen with philippine female immigration officers (yet) but I don't go that country as often anymore as my work is now in BKK.

You haven't seen it happen yet with Philippine female immigration officers. I've never seen it happen with any Philippine immigration officers, hasn't happened with my girl or with any of her friends who have come over here. That's a lot of combined travelling experience with no trouble.

You say you've seen it happen. Were you listening closely to the conversations going on at the booth? There could be other reasons for their questioning. They may have had a criminal record or something to warrant extra questioning.

Seriously, it may happen that they may ask a question or two, but I doubt they're going to refuse a girl to exit who has paid for a return fare and who says she's visiting her foreign boyfriend.

If a girl is feeling particularly nervous, she could carry a copy of her bank statement to show she has the funds necessary to spend 30 days in Thailand.

[Alwaysright]

Mate, I've seen it happen to the girls right in front of me, being ego-tripped by those immigration officers... on at least 3 separate occasions. And he was asking the girls to show "documents" to prove that they are tourists. I couldn't help but feel pity for them (the girls)... In all 3 cases, the immigration officer was "young male." Haven't seen it happen with philippine female immigration officers (yet) but I don't go that country as often anymore as my work is now in BKK.

She is better off being escorted over.My friend has his girlfriend come over with friends coming over anyway.

[tropo]

Mate, I've seen it happen to the girls right in front of me, being ego-tripped by those immigration officers... on at least 3 separate occasions. And he was asking the girls to show "documents" to prove that they are tourists. I couldn't help but feel pity for them (the girls)... In all 3 cases, the immigration officer was "young male." Haven't seen it happen with philippine female immigration officers (yet) but I don't go that country as often anymore as my work is now in BKK.

She is better off being escorted over.My friend has his girlfriend come over with friends coming over anyway.

This is of course the best way, but not always practical.

The problem with many Filipinos is that they get treated harshly at times because they don't stand up for their rights. If a girl allows an immigration officer to intimidate her it can be a problem. They need to stand their ground.

I know of one feisty young Filipina who travels frequently from Thailand to the Philippines alone, always in business class. When immigration start getting nosey she tells them where to go in no uncertain terms. She is often quite rude to them and always gets through ok. I'm not advocating this, but the immigration officers like to bluff that they have more authority over Filipinos leaving than they do.

Edited January 20, 2010 by tropo

[Chan mai roo crap]

I'd like to thank everybody for their input here. She is on her way here now as I write this, yesterday's flight was cancelled due to bad weather. Got my fingers crossed of course. She has a letter of invitation from me as well as copies of my work permit and my latest tax return.

As for funds, she has an atm card that I left with her when I was last there (Thai account) and there will be enough in there to show she has access to money.

I will let you all know if things turn out ok.

Y'all take care.

[tropo]

I'd like to thank everybody for their input here. She is on her way here now as I write this, yesterday's flight was cancelled due to bad weather. Got my fingers crossed of course. She has a letter of invitation from me as well as copies of my work permit and my latest tax return.

As for funds, she has an atm card that I left with her when I was last there (Thai account) and there will be enough in there to show she has access to money.

I will let you all know if things turn out ok.

Y'all take care.

I can't see her having any problems. Let us know what happened.

[bubba]

I'm in and out of Manila every month. At exit immigration, there are two sets of queues. One is for overseas workers leaving for a job, and the others are for everyone else including Filipinos going on holidays, business, etc. Many times, I have seen Filipinas given the third degree by the immigration officer, and that was in the "normal" queue. Some of them had paperwork (not sure what it was), and sometimes they get pulled aside for secondary. Not meaning to me condescending, most were 20s, dressed in hot pants or micro minis with spike heels, and not exactly looking like moneyed, middle class tourists.

Oh, and I always have such good luck with queues...all this usually happens in front of mine!

Anyway, to lower your girlfriend's chances of having a problem, I'd say a good idea would be for her to dress very conservatively...perhaps even geekish!

[tropo]

Oh, and I always have such good luck with queues...all this usually happens in front of mine!

You certainly do have all the luck. It never happens in my queues or even adjacent queues.

It goes without saying that the girls should dress conservatively.

[AdoboLove]

Any single, female traveling as group or solo raises a red flag at the Philippine immigration.

It happened to me and I have traveled a lot before, it was annoying but probably they were just doing their jobs. But the staff are actually polite. My case was different though, I am traveling/backpacking for a year around South East Asia, I didn't have a return ticket to Manila but I have exit tickets and advanced booked tickets around SE Asia. Well, they asked me why didn't I have return ticket to PHIL and I explained because I am traveling for a year. And because an asian woman going on solo travel is not common here they asked what was my job. The immigration officer even asked me what is "backpacking". and he didn't really know. Well, they let me through anyway because I had exit tickets. But I did have ATMS, cc's and a passbook with me just in case they asked for proof of funds.

I cannot blame them tho' because they are probably trained for this, with so many women/men that are victims of illegal recruitment, human trafficking and people trying to get jobs without proper work permits, it is us, travelers who gets the occasional annoyance.

On another note, they are probably strict with return/exit tickets because it is a requirement for ASEAN passport holders travelling around SE Asia, although seldom checked in your destination countries. The reason is that the immigration could fine the airline anything from 1,000-5,000 usd for letting a passenger get on the airplane without return/exit tickets.

Edited February 20, 2010 by AdoboLove

[dragonfly33]

I made arrangements for my Philippina girlfriend come to Thailand from Manila today. She was dressed conservatively and she is not particularly young (30 years old). She had a round trip ticket, over 600 US dollars in cash, and a letter from me (that I sent her by internet) saying that I would support her. I thought there should be no problem, and guess what, she wasn't allowed to board the plane. The immigration officer in the Philippines told her that she could not leave the country because my letter was not signed and she had no proof of hotel reservations. What does it matter that my letter was not signed? If one were to produce a fake letter, it would be easy enough to sign it! I could easily send her a new signed letter (or better yet, have her sign it herself) and fax some hotel reservations to her. However, I'm sure they would make up some other excuses. If anyone in the future does plan to bring a Philippina girl here to Thailand, my advice is to pick them up in Manila.

[soihok]

I will let you all know if things turn out ok.

No reply since , so it did,nt turn out well up to now, or he/she was referring to the relationship?

[soihok]

Before I was married I had a g/f from the Phils....

Invited her down to Singapore but did,nt give her any invite or supporting document. She was refused exit from her country.

So

I was living with a friend whose g/f was from the Phils also......she did a sterling job on preparing a phoney letter of invite from a made up person from a made up company within the afternoon,and faxed it off to the waiting girl in Manila.

Next day my g/f was in Singapore.

This was done with out my knowledge as I was at work .

That was 10 years ago so things will have moved on.

[elcent]

she will have to pay, I think it's 5000 pesos, departure tax, that's it. If she has a passport no problem to enter Thailand.

[dragonfly33]

It's funny how the past two messages have just totally ignored what I said in my message. (message no. 14).

The last writer wrote this:

she will have to pay, I think it's 5000 pesos, departure tax, that's it. If she has a passport no problem to enter Thailand.

Getting back to reality and not people's opinions, my Philippina girlfriend (age 30) was not allowed to leave, and I am talking about last night (March 10, 2010). They lost the departure tax. What I found out further today is they told her in addition to needing proof of hotel reservations, she needed a signed letter from the Thai embassy guaranteeing she was a tourist!!!

So remember, if you want your girlfriend to be allowed out of the Philippines to come to Thailand, she is going to lose the departure tax and never make it here, regardless the opinions of the experts on thaivisa.com

[soihok]

I have not totally ignored your post all mate.

She was supplied with a fake letter by fax ,,,went back to Manila airport the next day and boarded the plane.

[soihok]

But this was to Singapore and about 10 years ago.

[dragonfly33]

Further update: My girlfriend was not allowed aboard the plane on March 10th, 2010. She was told she needed a) a letter of invitation notarized on my embassy, a picture of me, and c) proof of reservation of hotel lodgings. The airlines (Cebu Pacific) stated that they will not refund the ticket (or allow the date to be changed) because they say we should have known the documentation that was required (like my photograph!) Does anyone know where requirements for this type of documentation (and personal photographs) are listed. Interestingly, the airline would refund the ticket if the immigration officials did not let her go for another reason: 'that they did not like how she looked. That means officials can and do turn people back simply if they don't like what they look like. Remember, my girlfriend was not a 17 year old, but 30 years old. She also said that in explaining why she was being rejected, the official told her foreign men are dangerous.

So I would warn anyone against having a Philippina travel alone to visit them in Thailand.

[soihok]

Sorry to hear this, disappointment all round.

Frustrating to say the least.

They seem to make it up as they go.......I did try to get a Thai g/f to Taiwan in 2000 but she was refused exit from Bangkok as she needed a visa from the embassy, but Phils folk dont need visas to enter Thailand as far as I know.

[dragonfly33]

I agree, they seem to make it up as they go. Of course, maybe I'm crazy in the first place bringing a Philippina girl to Thailand. I once brought a Thai girlfriend to Malaysia. We had no problem getting in. Then we booked a flight from KL to east Malaysia (Sarawak) because it sounded interesting. At the airport in Sarawak, they denied my girlfriend entry, with me right next to her. To top it off, they seemed to think I shouldn't be upset, because I could still travel in Sarawak and spend my money there. I just had to say goodbye to her. Anyway, we left on the next plane out, and completely lost the 200 or so dollars for the round trip. All this was after she had already been accepted in Malaysia at imigration.

Any way, I think I will go to the Philippines in about a month and bring her over her. I hope there won't be trouble then.

[AdoboLove]

Further update: My girlfriend was not allowed aboard the plane on March 10th, 2010. She was told she needed a) a letter of invitation notarized on my embassy, a picture of me, and c) proof of reservation of hotel lodgings. The airlines (Cebu Pacific) stated that they will not refund the ticket (or allow the date to be changed) because they say we should have known the documentation that was required (like my photograph!) Does anyone know where requirements for this type of documentation (and personal photographs) are listed. Interestingly, the airline would refund the ticket if the immigration officials did not let her go for another reason: 'that they did not like how she looked. That means officials can and do turn people back simply if they don't like what they look like. Remember, my girlfriend was not a 17 year old, but 30 years old. She also said that in explaining why she was being rejected, the official told her foreign men are dangerous.

So I would warn anyone against having a Philippina travel alone to visit them in Thailand.

Do you still have the copy of your e-ticket of Cebu Pacific? The requirements are there. As far I know, you only need two things

1. Return ticket to Manila

2. Proof of Funds

All the rest are pure BS.

The travel tax is around 2,700 plus 750 terminal fee, and not 5,000 as the previous poster stated

[dragonfly33]

My girlfriend went into the Cebu Pacific office in Manila. At first they told her they would not refund her and her ticket was no longer valid. Apparently, after she put up a fuss the best they would do was allow her to re-schedule the flight, but no longer than the next ninety days. She had enough money, and a return ticket, and as you said, the rest is all BS. Unfortunately, the immigration officers have the power to enforce that BS. My idea now is that I should travel to the Philippines in the next three months and bring her over. If we travel together she should not have any problem, I think. Or am I being overly optimistic?

[AdoboLove]

My girlfriend went into the Cebu Pacific office in Manila. At first they told her they would not refund her and her ticket was no longer valid. Apparently, after she put up a fuss the best they would do was allow her to re-schedule the flight, but no longer than the next ninety days. She had enough money, and a return ticket, and as you said, the rest is all BS. Unfortunately, the immigration officers have the power to enforce that BS. My idea now is that I should travel to the Philippines in the next three months and bring her over. If we travel together she should not have any problem, I think. Or am I being overly optimistic?

She will get through if you are with her. Yeah, the immigration probably suspected your gf would become an illegal migrant worker . Your girlfriend is right to raise hel_l at Cebu Pacific, those people don't know any better. Usually at immigration, they ask single females, specially those traveling alone, proof of employment. But if you are traveling with her there shouldn't be any problems whether she is unemployed or not.

Here is the what is listed in the CebuPacific

http://www.cebupacificair.com/aboutus/trav...egulations.html

[AdoboLove]

double post

Edited March 15, 2010 by AdoboLove

[dragonfly33]

Thanks for the helpful posts. She did have all that they said was needed as travel requirements on the Cebu Pacific site, but it didn't help:

Passengers intending to undertake international travel must possess a valid passport with at least six (6) months validity and the applicable valid visas. They must also have a return or an onward journey ticket and must be able to satisfactorily prove upon request sufficient means of financial support during their stay in the country of their destination.

To add to the drama, it turns out that they are allowing her only to rebook one half of the ticket for free (i.e. the return trip from Bangkok to Manila). As far as I understand, this is useless, because one ways are generally not much if any cheaper than round trips. I figured that I would contact them because maybe I'd have better luck, but if you look at the website, they are very clever, and I can't find a single email address to write them. (If anyone has better luck finding an address, let me know.) It would be much better to write than to call.

I didn't intend to travel to the Philippines, but who knows, maybe I'll enjoy it there (just not in the Cebu Pacific office).

[tropo]

As far as I understand, this is useless, because one ways are generally not much if any cheaper than round trips.

Incorrect. With budget airlines such as Cebu Pacific one way is pretty close to half the cost of a round trip fare.

Edited March 18, 2010 by tropo