2021 Travel: PH-US-PH

[Adventine 3,189]

So it's my turn to plan a trip. Here's a checklist of everything I'm preparing. I'd appreciate feedback, especially from those who have recently travelled PH to US.

 

Anything else I need to prepare?

 

Target travel date: March 2020

 

1. Flights
PAL flights Manila-Los Angeles-Manila or Manila-San Francisco-Manila
Domestic flight LA/SF to final destination and back

 

2. PH exit requirements 
Travel insurance covering COVID treatment and hospitalization

Traze Contact Tracing App
Copy of latest IATF Resolutions governing international travel
Execution of a Bureau of Immigration Declaration, "Acknowledging the risks involved in travelling, including risk of delay in their return trip. Form to be provided at the check-in counters by the airlines" - is this still required? If yes, I'd rather get it done beforehand

 

3. US entry requirements
Pre-departure PCR test at PAL testing center
B1/B2 visa (well duh, but including it here for the sake of completeness)

 

4. Proof of financial capacity and strong ties to PH
Personal bank and credit card statements to prove I'm paying for the trip
Previous passports with visas (originals and copies)
Letter of employment
Approved leaves
Approved contingency plan with my employer in case of last minute flight delays

 

5. Proof of relationship to fiancé
NOA 1 and copy of I-129F packet with our photos and other evidence of relationship
Fiancé's contact info and US address
Fiancé's letter of employment 

Fiancé's signed attestation that I will live at his home for the duration of the entire trip

 

6. Other nice to haves
Patience
Good humor
Confidence
The ability to laugh when things don't go according to plan

 

 

I think that covers the most important points but let me know if I missed anything.

[Allovertheworld 355]

LAX is dump. Dirty over crowded and it reminds me of a 3rd world country

 

SFO is nice and clean, not crowded it a nice airport.

[seekingthetruth 1,246]

Nice post!  I will be following.

 

So I take it you already had a B1/B2 visa and have previous trips to the U.S.?  If so, I doubt that you will be asked for any of that backup stuff, but it is good to have it, just in case, especially if you are travelling alone.

 

I actually had been thinking about taking a U.S. trip while my wife and stepdaughter are in the visa process.  If the Covid woes ease up in late 2021, we could take a vacation / house hunting trip at Christmas school vacation.  My stepdaughter's B1/B2 is still good but my wife's will need to be renewed.

[Adventine 3,189]

12 minutes ago, seekingthetruth said:

Nice post!  I will be following.

 

So I take it you already had a B1/B2 visa and have previous trips to the U.S.?  If so, I doubt that you will be asked for any of that backup stuff, but it is good to have it, just in case, especially if you are travelling alone.

 

I actually had been thinking about taking a U.S. trip while my wife and stepdaughter are in the visa process.  If the Covid woes ease up in late 2021, we could take a vacation / house hunting trip at Christmas school vacation.  My stepdaughter's B1/B2 is still good but my wife's will need to be renewed.

Yes, I have a B1/B2 visa and already visited the US in 2019. I was similarly prepared in 2019 and fortunately had no problems with either PH or US immigration. You never know, though, and everything is topsy turvy in Covidland. I'd rather be overprepared than underprepared!

[flicks1998 1,044]

For the COVID testing before your flight to the US, it can either be an antigen test or PCR test.  However, the antigen test in the Philippines are usually sourced from China and have been shown to only have a 73% accuracy rate.  Having the test at the PAL Learning center before your PAL flight is the best way to go though.  They only do the PCR test.  Just a side note, the Philippines has started doing the "spit" test and whether this qualifies yet or not, Im unsure. 

 

Also, you will want to keep up to date on any quarantine requirements for the US.  Dont ask me how they are going to monitor this or check on people, but there is supposed to be an update in the 1st week of February.  I doubt it will affect your travel plans much, but its something to be aware of in case questioned at immigration and customs upon arrival.  A number of states already have this in place, but the announcement in earlier Feb would be a federal mandate and not a state mandate.  Again, no idea how they will ever enforce it, but the fines could be high if "caught."

 

Copy of the latest IATF resolutions is still required to be signed at check-in in the Philippines.

 

[Crazy Cat 41,473]

39 minutes ago, Adventine said:

So it's my turn to plan a trip. Here's a checklist of everything I'm preparing. I'd appreciate feedback, especially from those who have recently travelled PH to US.

 

Anything else I need to prepare?

 

Target travel date: March 2020

 

1. Flights
PAL flights Manila-Los Angeles-Manila or Manila-San Francisco-Manila
Domestic flight LA/SF to final destination and back

 

2. PH exit requirements 
Travel insurance covering COVID treatment and hospitalization

Traze Contact Tracing App
Copy of latest IATF Resolutions governing international travel
Execution of a Bureau of Immigration Declaration, "Acknowledging the risks involved in travelling, including risk of delay in their return trip. Form to be provided at the check-in counters by the airlines" - is this still required? If yes, I'd rather get it done beforehand

 

3. US entry requirements
Pre-departure PCR test at PAL testing center
B1/B2 visa (well duh, but including it here for the sake of completeness)

 

4. Proof of financial capacity and strong ties to PH
Personal bank and credit card statements to prove I'm paying for the trip
Previous passports with visas (originals and copies)
Letter of employment
Approved leaves
Approved contingency plan with my employer in case of last minute flight delays

 

5. Proof of relationship to fiancé
NOA 1 and copy of I-129F packet with our photos and other evidence of relationship
Fiancé's contact info and US address
Fiancé's letter of employment 

Fiancé's signed attestation that I will live at his home for the duration of the entire trip

 

6. Other nice to haves
Patience
Good humor
Confidence
The ability to laugh when things don't go according to plan

 

 

I think that covers the most important points but let me know if I missed anything.

Thorough, well-thought out plan.  Good luck.

[Adventine 3,189]

48 minutes ago, flicks1998 said:

For the COVID testing before your flight to the US, it can either be an antigen test or PCR test.  However, the antigen test in the Philippines are usually sourced from China and have been shown to only have a 73% accuracy rate.  Having the test at the PAL Learning center before your PAL flight is the best way to go though.  They only do the PCR test.  Just a side note, the Philippines has started doing the "spit" test and whether this qualifies yet or not, Im unsure. 

 

Also, you will want to keep up to date on any quarantine requirements for the US.  Dont ask me how they are going to monitor this or check on people, but there is supposed to be an update in the 1st week of February.  I doubt it will affect your travel plans much, but its something to be aware of in case questioned at immigration and customs upon arrival.  A number of states already have this in place, but the announcement in earlier Feb would be a federal mandate and not a state mandate.  Again, no idea how they will ever enforce it, but the fines could be high if "caught."

 

Copy of the latest IATF resolutions is still required to be signed at check-in in the Philippines.

 

Thanks, watching out for changing quarantine requirements at either SF or LA is one of the things I'll be monitoring closely over the next weeks. I've heard the quarantine so far is an honor system. I do plan to quarantine for my own peace of mind, but at my final destination. 

 

When you say "Copy of the latest IATF resolutions is still required to be signed at check-in in the Philippines", is that the same as my checklist item "Execution of a Bureau of Immigration Declaration, "Acknowledging the risks involved in travelling, including risk of delay in their return trip. Form to be provided at the check-in counters by the airlines"? 

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

58 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Thorough, well-thought out plan.  Good luck.

Yes, I don't think many people dot their I's and cross their T's as well as Adventine))

[flicks1998 1,044]

18 minutes ago, Adventine said:

 

 

When you say "Copy of the latest IATF resolutions is still required to be signed at check-in in the Philippines", is that the same as my checklist item "Execution of a Bureau of Immigration Declaration, "Acknowledging the risks involved in travelling, including risk of delay in their return trip. Form to be provided at the check-in counters by the airlines"? 

Yes correct. 

[Chancy 6,240]

3 hours ago, Adventine said:

B1/B2 visa (well duh, but including it here for the sake of completeness)

 

Reminder to also check that your passport has at least 6 months validity.

 

3 hours ago, Adventine said:

5. Proof of relationship to fiancé
NOA 1 and copy of I-129F packet with our photos and other evidence of relationship
Fiancé's contact info and US address
Fiancé's letter of employment 

Fiancé's signed attestation that I will live at his home for the duration of the entire trip

 

While these are good to have in your pocket, these should be firmly in the category "Do not volunteer information that is not asked for"

 

[jameyj 73]

4 hours ago, Adventine said:

So it's my turn to plan a trip. Here's a checklist of everything I'm preparing. I'd appreciate feedback, especially from those who have recently travelled PH to US.

 

Anything else I need to prepare?

 

Target travel date: March 2020

 

1. Flights
PAL flights Manila-Los Angeles-Manila or Manila-San Francisco-Manila
Domestic flight LA/SF to final destination and back

 

2. PH exit requirements 
Travel insurance covering COVID treatment and hospitalization

Traze Contact Tracing App
Copy of latest IATF Resolutions governing international travel
Execution of a Bureau of Immigration Declaration, "Acknowledging the risks involved in travelling, including risk of delay in their return trip. Form to be provided at the check-in counters by the airlines" - is this still required? If yes, I'd rather get it done beforehand

 

3. US entry requirements
Pre-departure PCR test at PAL testing center
B1/B2 visa (well duh, but including it here for the sake of completeness)

 

4. Proof of financial capacity and strong ties to PH
Personal bank and credit card statements to prove I'm paying for the trip
Previous passports with visas (originals and copies)
Letter of employment
Approved leaves
Approved contingency plan with my employer in case of last minute flight delays

 

5. Proof of relationship to fiancé
NOA 1 and copy of I-129F packet with our photos and other evidence of relationship
Fiancé's contact info and US address
Fiancé's letter of employment 

Fiancé's signed attestation that I will live at his home for the duration of the entire trip

 

6. Other nice to haves
Patience
Good humor
Confidence
The ability to laugh when things don't go according to plan

 

 

I think that covers the most important points but let me know if I missed anything.

My fiance and I took a trip to Maldives in December...... she had pretty much everything you list there in advance. Immigration in Manila told her she needed a CFO sticker/authorization to travel which of course she did not have or would even seem to be required if one understands the CFO rules as written. My fiance talked her way out of that..... Just be prepared for that.

 

LAX is okay but kind of barren these days. SFO is nicer. In my haste to leave the airplane in LAX after I returned from Maldives, I forgot to put my mask on. No one said anything to me until I finally got to baggage claim...... No one will be checking on your quarantine  

[0NI 114]

Do you really need a travel insurance? 

 

I have 2 health insurance (Philhealth and Cocolife), can I use that instead?

 

I am also travelling to the US to visit my Fiancee (Our K1 is taking too damn long at NVC lol ).

[Adventine 3,189]

21 minutes ago, 0NI said:

Do you really need a travel insurance? 

 

I have 2 health insurance (Philhealth and Cocolife), can I use that instead?

 

I am also travelling to the US to visit my Fiancee (Our K1 is taking too damn long at NVC lol ).

You really do. It's in the IATF requirements.

 

And it just makes more sense to get travel insurance. Worst case scenarios don't seem like such a big deal... until they happen to you.

[0NI 114]

4 minutes ago, Adventine said:

You really do. It's in the IATF requirements.

 

And it just makes more sense to get travel insurance. Worst case scenarios don't seem like such a big deal... until they happen to you.

Can you post the link regarding the IATF requirements? Thanks.

[Adventine 3,189]

3 minutes ago, 0NI said:

Can you post the link regarding the IATF requirements? Thanks.

Right there in the 1st post It's in one of the longer PDFs from late 2020. Open them up and search for the keyword  "travel."