Going on Vacation to Thailand

[Isabela 20]

I want to take my wife to Thailand on vacation and she would return to the Philippines after. She has a Philippines passport as she was a OFW. She still has her maiden name as I told her not to bother to change it tell later. We are currently in the NVC process.

I'm worried about airport immigration letting her leave. I could get here the CFO certificate to be sure as we will need it anyway, but the sticker I wont be able to get. I just hate to buy airline tickets and have them go to waste.

Has anyone went to another country while waiting for the immigration process?

Thanks!

[Shauneg 762]

The wouldn't let my fiance out of the country for vacation to Thailand, they split us and interviewed us for almost an hour.....in the end they decided they weren't convinced she would return to the Philippines. Over a year later and I'm still salty about that. I don't understand why they would even care if she came back or not. I don't understnad Phils immigration at all, it truly baffles me. Even this?..........

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3000298/Airport-staff-discover-mother-smuggling-baby-plane-BACKPACK-spotting-unusual-form-X-ray-scanner.html

They just let her go? Lols....

[raven52 233]

As crowded as the Philippines is, I would think they would want some people to go to other countries..,.,been there, and saw it!!!!!!!

[Shauneg 762]

As crowded as the Philippines is, I would think they would want some people to go to other countries..,.,been there, and saw it!!!!!!!

Cebu City to a point but definitely Manila, whoah man....crowded. It's insane in some areas. Highest concentrated area of people in the world.

[manilaraf 28]

I want to take my wife to Thailand on vacation and she would return to the Philippines after. She has a Philippines passport as she was a OFW. She still has her maiden name as I told her not to bother to change it tell later. We are currently in the NVC process.

I'm worried about airport immigration letting her leave. I could get here the CFO certificate to be sure as we will need it anyway, but the sticker I wont be able to get. I just hate to buy airline tickets and have them go to waste.

Has anyone went to another country while waiting for the immigration process?

Thanks!

According to this, you and your wife can visit Thailand visa-free: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/contents/files/services-20150120-100712-551809.pdf

As for Shauneg's experience, Thailand has been viewed as a waypoint for illegal workers/human trafficking so perhaps that's that. Perhaps due to whatever reason they figured her as a potential illegal OFW. Or, most likely, it was a ploy for extortion where you have to give a bribe to the immigration people as has been complained of in the local newspapers the last couple years:

http://www.philstar.com/metro/699832/pinoy-tourists-complain-abusive-bi-examiners-naia

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/27/924453/bi-bribery-naia-probed

http://lakwatcha.com/lakwatcha-news/open-letter-to-urge-chr-to-effectively-act-on-the-issue-of-“offloading”-and-denial-of-right-to-travel-of-filipinos-in-philippine-airports/

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/351441/pinoyabroad/news/40-pinoys-get-offloaded-at-naia-1-every-day-bi

Wife & I have been able to travel to Hong Kong no problem, with her on her PHL Passport. Was actually planning a trip to Thailand and Singapore this year before we were caught by surprise by the speed of the DCF process. Don't need CFO clearance if you're leaving as a tourist. CFO is needed for leaving for good as an emigrant.

[Shauneg 762]

According to this, you and your wife can visit Thailand visa-free: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/contents/files/services-20150120-100712-551809.pdf

As for Shauneg's experience, Thailand has been viewed as a waypoint for illegal workers/human trafficking so perhaps that's that. Perhaps due to whatever reason they figured her as a potential illegal OFW. Or, most likely, it was a ploy for extortion where you have to give a bribe to the immigration people as has been complained of in the local newspapers the last couple years:

http://www.philstar.com/metro/699832/pinoy-tourists-complain-abusive-bi-examiners-naia

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/27/924453/bi-bribery-naia-probed

http://lakwatcha.com/lakwatcha-news/open-letter-to-urge-chr-to-effectively-act-on-the-issue-of-“offloading”-and-denial-of-right-to-travel-of-filipinos-in-philippine-airports/

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/351441/pinoyabroad/news/40-pinoys-get-offloaded-at-naia-1-every-day-bi

Wife & I have been able to travel to Hong Kong no problem, with her on her PHL Passport. Was actually planning a trip to Thailand and Singapore this year before we were caught by surprise by the speed of the DCF process. Don't need CFO clearance if you're leaving as a tourist. CFO is needed for leaving for good as an emigrant.

I have no doubt that was their initial thinking. I only had a problem after I showed proof I had been to the Phils 4 times before that, and showed our 5 plus year skype and facebook records and many many pictures of myself and her family. That's what makes me salty about it, one female said we convinced but the other guy said no. Soon she will be here though so whatever.

Good Luck to you and I would imagine you wont have the same problems as me.

[Isabela 20]

According to this, you and your wife can visit Thailand visa-free: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/contents/files/services-20150120-100712-551809.pdf

As for Shauneg's experience, Thailand has been viewed as a waypoint for illegal workers/human trafficking so perhaps that's that. Perhaps due to whatever reason they figured her as a potential illegal OFW. Or, most likely, it was a ploy for extortion where you have to give a bribe to the immigration people as has been complained of in the local newspapers the last couple years:

http://www.philstar.com/metro/699832/pinoy-tourists-complain-abusive-bi-examiners-naia

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/27/924453/bi-bribery-naia-probed

http://lakwatcha.com/lakwatcha-news/open-letter-to-urge-chr-to-effectively-act-on-the-issue-of-“offloading”-and-denial-of-right-to-travel-of-filipinos-in-philippine-airports/

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/351441/pinoyabroad/news/40-pinoys-get-offloaded-at-naia-1-every-day-bi

Wife & I have been able to travel to Hong Kong no problem, with her on her PHL Passport. Was actually planning a trip to Thailand and Singapore this year before we were caught by surprise by the speed of the DCF process. Don't need CFO clearance if you're leaving as a tourist. CFO is needed for leaving for good as an emigrant.

I think the main point is if your married or not by reading online. I read that they have issues filipinas traveling with foreign men not their relatives. I'm glad to read that you went to Hong Kong with your wife so maybe it's worth the risk.

Our documents will support we are tourist and we are returning. I have a flight back to the US from Manila. I'm even taking my american daughter so it should be ok. Just in case I'll have her take the CFO as she will need it anyway.

Edited March 26, 2015 by Isabela

[Shauneg 762]

I think the main point is if your married or not by reading online. I read that they have issues filipinas traveling with foreign men not their relatives. I'm glad to read that you went to Hong Kong with your wife so maybe it's worth the risk. Our documents will support we are tourist and we are returning. I have a flight back to the US from Manila. I'm even taking my american daughter so it should be ok. If not 2 flights to waste.

I agree with everything and I knew we would get pulled aside. I just thought that with the length of our relationship and the proof we had of it (pulled up on their computer) coupled with being U.S. military would stand for something....but nope. I even had return tickets the same as you. I truly wish you better luck than I.

[Isabela 20]

I agree with everything and I knew we would get pulled aside. I just thought that with the length of our relationship and the proof we had of it (pulled up on their computer) coupled with being U.S. military would stand for something....but nope. I even had return tickets the same as you. I truly wish you better luck than I.

Thanks!

It is a frustrating country to deal with. Don't even get me started on how hard the NBI was for my wife and they still messed it up.