Been receiving inquiries from my co-DOST Scholars regarding the requirements I completed prior to flying to Vietnam last April 2014. Sorry it took me months to write this long-conceived thought of a referential blog but here it is.. and it's going to take just a short post. ^_^
When I came into my current company last July 2013, I hoped that sooner or later I will be sent outside Ph for a corporate conference or training. So even before my 1st day at work last year, I already secured my passport. It took me 3 years after graduation to be in faith that I could actually go out of the country :) I also checked last year my status from the Bureau of Immigration and found out that I'm not part of the blacklist! That's a confidence booster for me!
The opportunity to actually go out of Ph came last March when by boss decided I should represent the company to Citrix's Partner Bootcamp in Vietnam dated April 2-4. That's 1 month preparation of actually not preparing at all because my expenses were taken care of by Citrix and WSI plus I had also a little pocket money that I could spend while there in VN. So bags packed and ready to go!
Went to NAIA very early because I knew there's a possibility of getting questioned by the Immigration. I checked in and lined up to be checked and indeed, the immigration officer questioned a lot since my passport will have its first ever stamp. Questions asked were: Where are you going? What will you do there? When will you come back? And you have to convince them that your answers are true! So I showed my email invite from Citrix and the itinerary, even the return flight ticket. But the most amazing thing that happened is how God showed his saving hand! I found in my hand-carry bag the contract that my company gave me prior to leaving. I wasn't even thinking of bringing it but I had it in my bag anyway! This contract showed the bond that the trip would cause me, which is equivalent to 6 months of stay in WSI. And voila! I got my stamp! Nothing about being a DOST Scholar was even mentioned in the airport... making me conclude that the ban for DOST scholars has been lifted!
So to summarize, if you're flying out of the Ph for the first time... just remember to bring all possible documents you could show to prove that you're returning. Or if you're not planning to return, dont bring printed resumes or anything that would give the officer a clue that you're planning to work there... aside of course if you have an agency you're working with!
Happy flying! :)
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