<p>Standing in line waiting for your turn at the immigration counter in an airport is a nerve-wracking affair. Will you be questioned? Your mind starts running and you remember the snack you saved from the airline food…is this allowed? Maybe you’ve been watching too many <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Security:_Australia%27s_Front_Line" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Border Security TV shows</a>. Here are some tips on how to breeze through customs and immigration.</p>
<p>Chances are that they will just take a cursory look at your passport, stamp it, and wave you in. To make sure that the experience is as painless as possible, we have some tips for you so you can breeze through customs and immigration.</p>
<h2>Passport and Documents</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_60374882-1024x683.jpg" alt="Customs Immigration Traveler" class="wp-image-10296" title="Customs Immigration Traveler" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_60374882-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_60374882-300x200.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_60374882-768x512.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_60374882-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_60374882.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Fill up the Customs’ departure card while in the queue to save time.</figcaption></figure>
<p>Most countries will require that your passport is <a href="https://lifehacker.com/these-countries-follow-the-six-month-rule-for-passpor-1782577451" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">valid for at least the next six months</a>. You may not even be allowed to board your flight if your passport is set to expire shortly. Make sure to renew your passport before the six-month period. Another document that often gets asked for (depending on your nationality and where you are travelling to/from) is your company ID or working visa. This has a two-pronged purpose: it validates the identity information on your passport as well as proves that you have a source of income. </p>
<h2>Migrant Workers</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_218091505-1024x683.jpg" alt="Customs Immigration Traveler" class="wp-image-10298" title="Customs Immigration Traveler" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_218091505-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_218091505-300x200.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_218091505-768x512.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_218091505-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/AdobeStock_218091505.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Don’t put your documents in your check-in bag.</figcaption></figure>
<p>For people going abroad to work, different countries have differing documentary requirements. For example, in the Philippines, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (<a href="http://poea.gov.ph/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">POEA</a>) requires both the <a href="https://www.ecomparemo.com/info/a-first-time-ofws-guide-things-you-should-never-forget-before-you-board-your-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pre-Departure Overseas Seminar (PDOS) Certificate</a> and the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) aside from your passport and visa. Meanwhile, <a href="https://boi.gov.in/content/indian-passengers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Indian government</a> wants Indian nationals with Emigration Check Required (ECR) category of passports to secure an “Emigration Clearance” from the office of the Protector of Emigrants (POE) for some countries of destination. Have these documents with you when you queue at the immigration counter and ensure you check exactly what you need ahead of time.</p>
<h2>Goods and Food</h2>
<p>Before travelling to another country, familiarize yourself with baggage restrictions and what goods you can bring in. This is important particularly for those who are on medication. You might be tempted to bring in a lot of your brand of cigarettes if you are a smoker and you’re travelling long-term. Be mindful on the limits of the amount you can bring. If you go over the limit or bring a restricted item, you can get penalized or questioned at customs. Take for example Oscar winner Hillary Swank, who got an <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/hilary-swank-busted-over-forbidden-fruit-20050314-gdkxae.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">instant fine of $NZ200</a> for bringing in an apple and an orange into New Zealand. A big clue is the disembarkation card that airline staff will distribute before landing. If it is on the list, there is a restriction. Don’t attempt to bring into the country more than what is allowed, then you won’t need to declare anything to customs. <br></p>
<p>We hope that these tips made customs and immigration a breeze for your travels or move overseas. For more of our advice, check out some of the other articles on our blog!</p>
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