Last 2014, I decided to take the risk of coming to Dubai. I don’t have any relatives in the UAE which made the sponsorship a little bit difficult and complicated. I was sponsored by my god-sister and was issued a Tourist visa from a registered agency in Abu Dhabi. My flight was booked on the 14th of 2014 at 20:05.
I long prepared all the necessary documents needed for the passport control or the immigration:
1. NSO Birth Certificate
2. Clearance (issued from DepEd Regional Office stating my filed Vacation Leave)
3. Certificate of Employment
4. BIR/TIN Certificate
5. W2
6. Payslips (all)
7. Visa
8. Affidavit of Support
9. Invitation from the Travel Agency
10. Round-trip tickets
11. NSO Birth Certificate of my sponsor
12. OEC or Overseas Employment Certificate of my sponsor (needed but I did not have it)
13. Show money of $1,200 (amount is my choice)
14. Proof of Income of my parents
15. PRC ID
16. DepEd ID or Company ID
17. GSIS ID
18. ID’s of my parents
I arrived at Mactan Cebu International Airport at exactly five o’clock in the afternoon and went directly to check in my baggage. After checking in, I paid the terminal fees. Guests were just few so I didn’t queue long. Everything went smooth until I was finally inside the immigration office. The immigration officers were in a small cubicle (Like of the banks. I thought they were individually seated in an office).
It was a good thing that I arrived so early as queue was not yet long. I chose a younger male officer who looked kind and calm. When I approached him, I greeted him and handed my visa and passport. Our conversation went this way:
IO (Immigration Officer)
Me: Good evening, Sir. (with eye contact)
IO: Where is your destination?
Me: Dubai, Sir.
IO: What will you do in Dubai?
Me: I’ll have a tour, Sir.
IO: Tour? What is your work here?
Me: I am a SPED teacher, Sir.
IO: Which school?
Me: in **** School, Sir.
IO: Can I have your Vacation Leave?
(I handed the vacation leave and IO read it intently.)
IO: How many years have you been working as a SPED teacher?
Me: It’s been a year, Sir.
IO: A year??! Your vacation will start on April 15 until May 14. How can it possibly happen when public school teachers whose service is below 12 months are only allowed for 15 days paid leave?
(I was starting to get nervous. I didn’t know about this.)
Me: Yes Sir. I am paid for 15 days and it’s okay with me not to have salary for the remaining days.
IO: Who is your sponsor?
Me: It’s ______. She’s my godsister, Sir.
IO: Why are you alone in this travel?
Me: Sir, my parents have no vacation since they are administrators and my sister is only 11 years old. They can’t be with me in this trip.
IO: Is this your first trip abroad?
Me: Certainly yes, Sir.
IO: Since this is your first time, I’d like you to fill this form up and wait on the other side.
The form was actually for passengers who can be offloaded. I just filled it up with basic information and details of travel.
After two minutes, I was called by a lady who seemed to be on a higher position. She was wearing a suit which was different from all other officers. Our conversation went something like this:
IO: Where are you going to?
Me: I’m going to Dubai, Ma’am.
IO: Who’s there?
Me: My godsister, Ma’am.
IO: What is her job?
Me: She is a Phlebotomist, Ma’am.
IO: What is that?
Me: It’s someone who takes blood from patients for medical testing.
IO: When was the last time she came home?
(Oh my gosh! I did not know!)
Me: She came home last October, Ma’am. (I still answered confidently.)
She stood and went to check on her system on the other side of her table.
IO: Again, when did she come home?
Me: October, Ma’am.
IO: Sure???
Me: Yes, Ma’am.
IO: Why’s the system telling it was June?
Me: I don’t know, Ma’am. She came home last October because it was our city fiesta. (I was really confident.)
IO: What’s your job here?
Me: I’m a SPED teacher, Ma’am.
IO: I know you’ll work there in Dubai and you will be AWOL later on.
Me: No, Ma’am. We are family of teachers. I have job here. I will come back.
IO: No, you won’t.
Me: I will come back, Ma’am.
She stood up and encoded my information in her system. She asked me to go back to the first IO and have my passport stamped.
I handed my passport to the first male IO.
IO: How much cash are you bringing?
Me: I have $1,200 here, Sir. Do you wish to see the cash?
IO: No. When is your returning date?
Me: May 14, Sir.
He stamped my passport and said, “Okay na.”
Me: Okay na, Sir? (My voice is still calm but I was shaking inside.)
IO: Yes.
I went straight to the waiting area and realized that I was able to pass through the Immigration. I almost jumped inside the washroom and called my father right away to tell the news.
The situation was hard because my sponsor was not a family member or a relative. The documents I have listed were prepared just in case. I’d rather bring more of them than be offloaded because of one missing document.
Other tips:
1. COME EARLY. Be at the airport two hours before flight schedule. When I was already in the waiting area, those who came late queued longer. Note that other IO’s interviewed them long and they didn’t mind the time. Other passengers on queue were not able to board the plane.
2. PREPARE ALL DOCUMENTS. As I have mentioned, it is always better to have more documents than be offloaded because of one, single paper that you might fail to present. If your sponsor happens to be a sibling or a parent, prepare proofs of relation which should be certified by NSO. If your sponsor is a friend, it is advised to prepare some proofs that you are employed and that you are permitted and cleared to travel.
3. PREPARE FINANCIALLY. Going abroad is also costly. Unless you have a family member or someone willing to cover your expenses, then issue of money is not a problem. Your sponsor will advise as to which visa you should take. It’s always on case-to-case basis. Consider expenses when you get here: the transportation, your food, your flat (which is really expensive), among others. Come here prepared. Someone might be willing to help you but it is always better to come loaded and self-reliant.
4. TAKE RISKS. Risks are taken and conquered by people who are really fully-decided of coming. Have a balanced notion that coming here is always 50/50. You might land a job or go home – either way is always possible.
5. PRAY! Your fate is not yours alone. Pray that God will reveal His plan and will in your life. Pray that He will bless your desire so that He will lead you on the right path. If God wills you to be here, then no one can stop that.
God bless everyone!
Disclaimer: This blog does not promote or encourage unjust or illegal ways of travel. It only aims to share the author’s experience for personal accounts and everything mentioned is purely illustrative only. Please refer and ask legitimate advices should you consider travelling abroad.
MM in Dubai 
Is it easier if I have a relative in Dubai? Will the IO still asks many questions?
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Hello RG! If your sponsor is your parent or sibling. It’s generally much easier. As for my friends who have experiences, they only had to show NSO Birth Certificate to prove their blood relationship. For cousins and distant relatives, they had to show proofs as well like birth certificates and photos.
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Oh, I see. My sponsor is my Dad. I am worrying if they would ask my job here in the Philippines. If I say I am jobless, then the IO might suspect that I will find job in Dubai. I don’t know what else to answer from there. Hehe!
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For most IO, they let you pass. He’s your dad anyway. They will question you further if your sponsor is only a relative. For an unsolicited advise, tell them you are jobless and you are not in a hurry to find a job. Your dad wants you here for a vacation. You may as well show them a salary certificate of your dad for proof that he is capable. 🙂
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Hi! I am traveling to norway this Arpil for a 3 months vacation which is sponsored by my sister. This is my first time to travel abroad alone and a little worried bec. I am jobless and im afraid the IO might suspect that i will find a job. Will they ask me many questions?
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Hello Topz! Hope everything’s great!
I understand that you will be traveling to Norway soon. With that, I am not sure of the travel process as I have not been traveling there before.
I am not sure whether your IO interview will take place on the same flight date or will occur beforehand. In as much as I would like to answer your question, I don’t have first-hand experiences to suffice your concern.
Anyhow, you may read these links for info:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g190455-c96226/Norway:First.Time.Visitors.Read.This.html
http://ordinarytraveler.com/articles/norway-travel-tips
https://www.udi.no/en/have-applied/family-immigration/
Hope these might help. 🙂 God bless! 🙂
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Thank you for the prompt reply. Is it ok if I want bisaya during interview? Hehe!
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Hehehe. In cebu airport, english-bisaya ang interview so there’s no problem hehe
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Hi Faithful, its me again. I would like to ask your advise if ever the IO will question regarding my work. I recently resigned my job because it is not possible for the bank to grant a 3 months vacation leave. Should I tell the IO that I just recently resigned or I tell that I have no work.?
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Hello Topz! Generally, it is advised not to tell them that you resigned. They would suspect that your travel is for finding a job abroad. However, this does not hold true all the time. I have also friends who have passed by the immigration tho they told them that they left the country jobless. The whole thing entirely depends on the way you respond and what you respond to their questions. Just also pray that you will be interviewed by kind and considerate IO’s. hehehe
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Hi Faith, what should I write in the departure card in the field of occupation?
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You may write your previous job or self-employed. It’s all up to you.
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If I write my previous job, do you think they will ask the COE?
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Yes, definitely. They will ask for a coe and a vacation leave signed by your boss.
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If I tell them that I am only a house dad and never been employed bec. I am financially supported by my sister. I hope the immigration is not strict for those who visit their family in Europe. Cross fingers!!
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Hi faith! Im here at Norway now. Thanks for ur blog.
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Wow! That’s great! God bless!
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I’m also going to Norway, how did it go in immigration ? What did you bring ?
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Hello. Thank you for your interest. I cannot say at least as I assume that immigration requirements to Norway are different from the reqs to Dubai. kindly click their links for certain list of pre requisites.
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hi ms.faith.i am planning to go dubai and my cousin will give me the sponsorhip.but my problem is this- my cousin’s birthyear from his passport is diffent from his nso.as i am aware that i need to show our nso both to make sure we are relatives.is the IOs gonna be looking thoroughly and be comparing the details on my cousins nso and passport?
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Hello Ms. Karen! I couldnt tell, it depends. Some may really look on it but some won’t. To be very sure, just prepare necessary docs to support your claims. Better be ready than be stuck there for a long time.
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Hi ms. faith.. I was just wondering if your flight was a direct flight from cebu to dubai,, or do you have like a connecting flight in manila.. and if that would be the case.. will the IO Office in manila be the one to interview you? Thanks
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Hello! My flight was from Cebu, layover at Hongkong then to Dubai. IO from Cebu interviewed me 😊
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Hi Ms Faith,
Hope you can help I am planning to go dubai by july for a 2-week vacay. I dont have sponsor since malayong kamag anak lang meron ako jan, 3rd cousins na ata. But one trvel agency there will process my visa. need po ba tlga ang sponsor? or I can that I have a friend who will sponsor me? Thanks
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Hello Jannah! As long as you can provide the documents sa immigration, then it will be fine. These docs may include your return tickets, visa, any proof of income, etc. Also, when youre able to assure them that youl come back, then it will be alright 😊 The agency can be a sponsor already.
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hi miss faith😊
i read ur blog through the end and ur witttyness really inspiring😇. anyway, this coming july i do have a flight for 1month visit visa sponsored by my husband going to dubai. i resigned from my job already. i just wanted to ask wat will be the possible questions of IOs? reading those offload stories to other blogs makes me worried being offloaded. thank you and god bless
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Hello Jane! Thanks and sorry to keep you waiting. Usual questions include your destination, return date, your purpose of travel, number of days, where to stay and the like. Other questions completely depend as to how you respond to each and how well you can prove that your travel is genuine. In your case, I guess it would be easy since you’re sponsored by your husband. Make all the proof ready 😊
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hi miss faith im planning to go dubai for visit visa then pagdating ko dun saka p lang process ung visa q since my work n aq papasukan need lng muna mgvisit visa aq but worry ako baka ma off load ako kase sponsor ko ung asawa ng bayaw..what the possible documents will i present.i hope you can help me
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Hello Judith. Thanks for reading my blog. You can present a leave form from your company (In case you are working in PH), documents to prove your relationship with your bayaw, your visa of course and other docs to prove that your stay is legal
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Hi Ms. Faith!
Planning to visit Dubai this coming Dec. Is it okay if I’ll bring my credit card and atm card instead of having cash in my pocket? Also, my sponsor will be my boyfriend, will they look for affidavit of sponsor? And what other possible reasons of off-loading when flying MNL-HK-UAE? Do I need to have itinerary ticket for HK-MNL? or directly UAE-MNL?
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Hi Miss Faith! I’m planning to have a 10-day visit to Dubai this coming November to meet my best friend in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi – and to surprise my boyfriend as well. I already have my plane ticket and my best friend’s arranging my hotel and visa. I’m kinda anxious that I might get offloaded since I’m reading a lot of offloading incident. I’d been to Abu Dhabi last 2015 but went to a 3 day vacation at Singapore first then traveled to AUH and stayed there for a month since I had a 3 month visit visa. Any heads up? Thank you so much in advance. and BTW, your article is really helpful. Been reading comments.
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Hi Jean! Glad to be of help. When you can prove that you will be here for a tour, it’s all good for you to pass through. Bring all docs to prove it and youre good to go 👍🏻 Good luck
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Hi Miss Faith!!! Would like to thank you for boosting up my confidence. I’m here at Dubai, and about to leave tomorrow na (ugh, 10 days came too fast </3 so many places to visit pa sana). The IO was so nice to me, I came way too early, I was at the airport 12 noon, for my 4pm flight (which was delayed for about 1 hour).
Same questions, who are you going to visit there? What’s your work in the PH? When will you be coming back? That’s it. (Planning to extend another 5 days here, but work is calling me almost every day. Ugh.)
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Hi Ms. Faith, flight ko na po sa tuesday going dubai. My travel was sponsored by my first cousin(Ate). I was unemployed right now. Hingi po sana ako tips and advice on how to deal to those IOs,, since unemployed ako. Pano ko po sila sasagutin once they ask why I am unemployed. I hope you’ll help me po.
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Hi Shirley. Bring docs to prove your relationship with your cousin. I cannot guarantee something on their behalf. As long as you have the right docs, you can pass through. Mahirap pag unemployed but still, there is a chance since your sponsor is a relative
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Hello Ms. Faith. do you have any idea regarding sa pag-cross country HKG-AUH? strikto ba ang IO ng Hongkong if going to AUH?
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Hi Michelle! HK IO’s are very okay ☺️ No worries
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Hi good day Ms. Faith😊 etong buwan na to ako possible makapunta ng dubai. Napapaisip lng ako kung madami din kayang itatanong sakin ang IO but i have all the docs.like marriage Certificate etc. Kinakabahan kase ako eh..
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hi, good day po Ms. Faith ask lang po ako, this month kasi mag tatravel ako going dubai. And i have a visit visa pero yung nag sponsor ng visa hindi ko po ka relatives. And i already resigning my job here, anu po ba yung dapat kong dalhin na docs. just in case hanapan ako ng IO? At anu po ba ang mga possible questions ng IO’S for that case po? hope na matulungan niyo po ako, kinakabahan po kasi ako this is the first time po kasi na magtravel akong alone.
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Hi Faith! I am going to Dubai. Is it okay if I can just provide a COE and company ID?I don’t have a proof of vacation leave from my company because they’re only approving leaves thru data base.
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I have a relative in dubai and she will sponsor my tour. I am jobless and not graduate in college. Im scared to be off loaded, so im thinking about cross country. How can you do a cross country?
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