ku7et

 So I am back from our Pinas vacay. Port of entry was Seattle. Long line at Passport Control, but not too long sa wait time. In fairness, madaming window ang open, madami lang din talagang passengers. In Seattle, US Citizens and LPR have the same line, the two others are for NON-US Citizens (VISA holders) and Global Entry.  Jason and I went same time, we handed our passports and she asked me for my Green Card. She then started asking questions: from what country, where's our final destination, how long we were gone. Sumunod, ako na ang focus nya. She asked me if I had a problem with Immigration before, have I ever been denied a Visa or entry in the US my answers were no. (I wasn't sure if what happened last time can be labeled as "problem"). She then told us there will be 2 more stops for us, another interview and next is for agriculture.  She handed our passports to another officer, told us to follow him.  Dinala kame sa room tulad nang pinagdalhan saken nung 2020. ...

Okay, I've heard horror stories coming to the US especially if you're Filipino.  May mga nakilala ako thru Bureau of Immigration's FB page sa post nila regarding Non-Essential travel. Mga nakatanungan usually about travel insurance.  Merong mga nakaalis ng Pilipinas at pagdating ng America eh grabe dinanas.  Nakarinig ako ng may na-hold sa Immigration ng 6 hours, kinuha ang cellphone. Hindi ito sa iisang tao lang ha. Sa mga kasabay pa nila ibang Pilipino sa flight at yung iba may mga kakilala din na inabot naman ng 3 hours, and same kinuha ang cellphone.  So kinabahan ako na paano kung mangyari saken yon? Naisip ko naman, wala naman akong itatago baket ako kakabahan?  Pero kase, takot talaga ako sa mga interviews. Mapa-trabaho yan, or sa Embassy, sa Immigration or kahit sa school. May phobia ako sa interviews. Nauutal ako at naba-blanko ako. Anyway eto naman ang experience ko. November 19 I arrived the airport 8ish at ang flight ko was 11:50pm, Korean Air. ...

They announced the lifting of travel ban on October 15 or 16, effectively on October 21st. Of course, I contacted (Oct. 19) my travel agent  to look for a date at makapagpa-rebook na ng flight. She gave me a call (Oct. 22) and asked my preferred date, I said November to February. Aba she then told me na my ticket is valid for 6 months starting sa date of travel. Akala ko kase (according sa mga emails namin before) na ticket ko is valid until February 13, pero dapat completed na yon. Kaya pinipilit ko sana na makaalis bago masayang ang ticket. Kaya sige sabi ko November to April. She emailed and gave 11162020-04072021, so sige bago ko i-confirm need ko muna makahanap ng travel and health insurance with COVID-19 coverage. Aba mahirap din ano. Requirements for Outbound travels are: 1. Confirmed round trip ticket 2. Travel and Health Insurance with COVID-19 coverage 3. BI declaration (4. Negative Antigen test result taken within 24 hours before departure - this was lifted on Oct. 30 ef...