Pinoy Solo Backpacker challenging the airports in Middle East and Central Asia
Pinoy backpacker's shared experience with Immigration Officers
Countries not requiring a pre-arranged visa for Filipino travelers
I almost swept visiting the Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) and the only remaining are Indonesia, Brunei and East Timor. The thought of moving beyond is on the process ever since. As a Filipino backpacker, the adventure of travel never ends until the meaning of what we are looking for is fulfilled. The following escapades I have done during the 2012 3-months consecutive summer get-away on week-end basis only. In addition, countries included here are located in Middle East and Southern-Central Asia.
INDIA (May 2012)
The challenge of VOA has never been this escalated as India marked as the typical "real traveler's place" . You will be ashamed to call yourself a Backpacker/Traveler if you have not been to this country. All Filipinos are visa-on-arrival in India regardless of work and departing country, only the usual requirements have to satisfied like hotel reservation, return flight ticket and itinerary. I entered and exited in New Delhi Airport and finished the VOA process only around 15minutes, hassle only were the filling-up the form and payment.
For more details how did I passed through the New Delhi Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2012/03/new-delhi-igi-airport-arrival.html
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (Apr. 2012)
My 1st challenge of VOA outside Southeast Asia Affiliates. I grabbed the opportunity given by GCC that all professional expats residing and working within Gulf Cooperation Council Nations are visa-on-arrival on its existing members. Prior to that, I must complete the initial requirements like 6 months minimum validity of passport, residence ID and of course confirmed hotel booking. I did not do the latter but I have prepared something in my mind, something realistic so that Dubai Immigration officer will not prevent me to unleash the adventure I planned. Typical questions have asked like "what will I do in my vacation", do I have hotel reservation", etc...
For more details how did I passed through the Dubai Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2012/02/how-to-get-tourist-visa-in-dubai-uae-as.html
LEBANON (Jun. 2012)
The best VOA I have ever experienced. I did not imagine Beirut IO's would be as kind as I have expected. As a Filipino, No one would ever dare to challenge the VOA, privilege given by Lebanon government last mid 2011 only, for all GCC expat professionals due to the current situation of Lebanon as the nearest landlock to Syria. I marked this trip as one of my best and successful trip I've done. If given the chance, definitely I will go to this country again. As long as I acknowledged there requirements like hotel booking copy, 6 months minimum validity of passport and residence ID, Immigration process is as easy as simple bank transaction.
For more details how did I passed through the Beirut Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2012/04/3-days-solo-travel-in-lebanon.html
ARMENIA (Feb. 2013)
The unexpected and the cheapest visa on arrival fee for only $7.5 (3,000 AMD). As a Filipino, Armenia belong to the countries less traveled by a typical backpacker. Armenian atmosphere is like an almost Russian country even on their flag.
For more details how did I passed through the Zvarknot Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2013/01/3-days-solo-budget-tour-in-winter.html
Upon arrival in Tbilisi Airport and showing my Middle East Residence Visa on my passport, Tbilisi Airport immigration was one of my very relax encounter (totally no hassle) since my backpacking career. The Officers did not even asked any single question (accommodation, return ticket or itinerary). In less than 2 minutes I already bypassed the Immigration area and walking towards the airport exit.
Pinoy backpacker's shared experience with Immigration Officers
Countries not requiring a pre-arranged visa for Filipino travelers
I almost swept visiting the Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) and the only remaining are Indonesia, Brunei and East Timor. The thought of moving beyond is on the process ever since. As a Filipino backpacker, the adventure of travel never ends until the meaning of what we are looking for is fulfilled. The following escapades I have done during the 2012 3-months consecutive summer get-away on week-end basis only. In addition, countries included here are located in Middle East and Southern-Central Asia.
INDIA (May 2012)
The challenge of VOA has never been this escalated as India marked as the typical "real traveler's place" . You will be ashamed to call yourself a Backpacker/Traveler if you have not been to this country. All Filipinos are visa-on-arrival in India regardless of work and departing country, only the usual requirements have to satisfied like hotel reservation, return flight ticket and itinerary. I entered and exited in New Delhi Airport and finished the VOA process only around 15minutes, hassle only were the filling-up the form and payment.
For more details how did I passed through the New Delhi Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2012/03/new-delhi-igi-airport-arrival.html
 |
| visa-on-arrival section in New Delhi International Airport |
 |
| visa-on-arrival section in New Delhi International Airport |
 |
| visa-on-arrival section in New Delhi International Airport |
My 1st challenge of VOA outside Southeast Asia Affiliates. I grabbed the opportunity given by GCC that all professional expats residing and working within Gulf Cooperation Council Nations are visa-on-arrival on its existing members. Prior to that, I must complete the initial requirements like 6 months minimum validity of passport, residence ID and of course confirmed hotel booking. I did not do the latter but I have prepared something in my mind, something realistic so that Dubai Immigration officer will not prevent me to unleash the adventure I planned. Typical questions have asked like "what will I do in my vacation", do I have hotel reservation", etc...
For more details how did I passed through the Dubai Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2012/02/how-to-get-tourist-visa-in-dubai-uae-as.html
 |
| visa-on-arrival section in Dubai International Airport |
 |
| visa-on-arrival section in Dubai International Airport |
LEBANON (Jun. 2012)
The best VOA I have ever experienced. I did not imagine Beirut IO's would be as kind as I have expected. As a Filipino, No one would ever dare to challenge the VOA, privilege given by Lebanon government last mid 2011 only, for all GCC expat professionals due to the current situation of Lebanon as the nearest landlock to Syria. I marked this trip as one of my best and successful trip I've done. If given the chance, definitely I will go to this country again. As long as I acknowledged there requirements like hotel booking copy, 6 months minimum validity of passport and residence ID, Immigration process is as easy as simple bank transaction.
For more details how did I passed through the Beirut Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2012/04/3-days-solo-travel-in-lebanon.html
 |
| visa-on-arrival section in Beirut International Airport |
 |
| visa-on-arrival section in Beirut International Airport |
ARMENIA (Feb. 2013)
The unexpected and the cheapest visa on arrival fee for only $7.5 (3,000 AMD). As a Filipino, Armenia belong to the countries less traveled by a typical backpacker. Armenian atmosphere is like an almost Russian country even on their flag.
For more details how did I passed through the Zvarknot Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2013/01/3-days-solo-budget-tour-in-winter.html
 |
| visa-on-arrival stamp in Zvarknot international airport |
 |
| visa-on-arrival stamp in Zvarknot international airport |
ISRAEL (Nov. 2013)
Ben Gurion airport prides itself in being one of the most secure in the world. On joining the queue for this security check, a security official will ask you several questions. Based on these (and what appears to be racial profiling) and a brief inspection of your passport, you will be assigned a number from 1 to 6. 1 signifies the lowest security concern and 6 the highest. Foreigners will typically get between a 3 and a 6. Age, appearance, stamps from Arab countries, evidence of visits to the Palestinian territory and other vague factors will be taken into account. Depending on the number you get (stuck on your passport and luggage), the security check is more or less thorough.
For more details how did I passed through the Tel-Aviv Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2013/08/visa-on-arrival-experience-in-israel.html
REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA (Jan. 2014)Ben Gurion airport prides itself in being one of the most secure in the world. On joining the queue for this security check, a security official will ask you several questions. Based on these (and what appears to be racial profiling) and a brief inspection of your passport, you will be assigned a number from 1 to 6. 1 signifies the lowest security concern and 6 the highest. Foreigners will typically get between a 3 and a 6. Age, appearance, stamps from Arab countries, evidence of visits to the Palestinian territory and other vague factors will be taken into account. Depending on the number you get (stuck on your passport and luggage), the security check is more or less thorough.
For more details how did I passed through the Tel-Aviv Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2013/08/visa-on-arrival-experience-in-israel.html
 |
| visa-on-arrival card in Tel-Aviv international airport |
Upon arrival in Tbilisi Airport and showing my Middle East Residence Visa on my passport, Tbilisi Airport immigration was one of my very relax encounter (totally no hassle) since my backpacking career. The Officers did not even asked any single question (accommodation, return ticket or itinerary). In less than 2 minutes I already bypassed the Immigration area and walking towards the airport exit.
For more details how did I passed through the Tbilisi Airport IO's, please click this link...
http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2013/08/4-days-solo-trip-in-winter-republic-of.html
 |
| visa-on-arrival stamp in Tbilisi International Airport |
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