How to Go to Dubai (and avoid Offloading)

Why did I go to Dubai? High tax-free salary and over-the -top tourist attractions make Dubai the "in" city to go to.Plus with a chance to work in an advertising agency (thanks to telenovelas which make advertising jobs so glamorous), I packed my bags and got ready to leave.Until I read about offloading of Filipinas bound to Dubai at the airport.

After reading blogs of those who tried and failed to go to Dubai, I worried about being offloaded myself. The airport immigration is restricting Filipinas on tourist visas to leave the country to avoid the human trafficking cases in the Middle East, thus offloading happens.

But that didn't stop me. With careful planning, lots of research and prayers, this is how I successfully made it to Dubai.

1. Clark to Hongkong flight

I did not take a direct flight to Dubai from Manila, as this usually ends up in offloading. Using my credit card and Fare Compare, I took the cheapest two-way flight from Clark airport to Hongkong. Why a two-way flight? The immigration will not let you leave without a return ticket because, as a tourist, you are supposed to come back.

2. Dubai from Hongkong flight

My Dubai flight was scheduled a day after my arrival in Hongkong. I choose Hongkong because I won’t need a visa there and that has the cheapest airfare I found online. Another thing is that I have a relative there who may help me if I got into trouble.

Cost of Ticket:

Clark-Hongkong:   Php 11,594

Hongkong-Dubai:  Php 14,192.37

Total:                      Php 25,786.37

Clark Airport

I chose Clark Airport because of the cheap rates and because I didn’t see any blogs of people being offloaded here. (I could have been the first.)

In the immigration desk, the officer took a full 15 minutes questioning and going through my papers. I presented my flight itinerary, hotel booking, two IDs, my tutorial center business permit (which in my surprise was expired already), credit cards and ATM. The immigration officer asked why I only brought one ATM, and I quickly replied that I have my credit cards and enough money with me (even if it’s only 200USD). I was already expecting getting offloaded when she apologized for asking too many questions and handed me back my papers with the immigration stamp. Whew!

Terminal Fee: 550Php

Clark-Hongkong =approx. 2 h flight
Travel Tips:

• Carry a small luggage
• Be confident when answering the immigration officer's question
• Bring IDs, at least 2 ATMs and other supporting documents to prove that you are coming back
• Act excited and happy. Otherwise, the immigration will see that you are not really going on a vacation.
• Join a group tour to avoid the immigration hassle

Hongkong

Comic Character Exhibit at Kowloon Park

I finally made it in Hongkong around 8pm. My airport friend, whom I met there, advised me to stay at the airport and wait for my flight to Dubai. It may be dangerous to go wandering in a foreign country alone, but then I don’t want to waste the money I spent on the hotel. So, I decided to try and explore Hongkong. Thankfully, Hongkong has strong and dependable wifi and the airport staff was very helpful, I was able to get the instructions to my hotel. The next day, I decided to take a stroll around to buy breakfast and discovered Kowloon Park. It’s refreshing to see this small green park in the middle of the city.

Budget hotel (overnight): Php 3,500

Hongkong-Kunming: approx. 4h &45m flight

Flamingos at Kowloon Park

 China

I took the China Eastern Airlines to Dubai. But this flight has a 22-hour layover at Kunming Airport in China. It’s the cheapest flight I found, so I didn’t mind the long hours of waiting. I thought of booking a hotel near the airport, but I’ll need a visa for that. Luckily there was a Filipino in the same flight with me. We exchanged stories and took turns watching over our luggage. I wished I brought a book with me to pass the time and found an English book left behind at the charging station. The book, The Dreamers, is about German immigrants going to Australia during the 1800s. It’s a perfect story for my trip.

A Chinese national approached me after seeing me reading the  book and asked if I can help him practice his English. What followed was an overnight English tutorial and he became our interpreter for the airport officials who kept checking our passports.

Layover: 22 hours
Travel tips:

• Try to find an airport friend (preferably Kabayan) to help you
• Most Chinese do not know how to speak English well (even the airport staff)
• Bring a book or anything to keep you entertained during long hours of waiting

Kunming Airport

Dubai

My overnight English tutorials had me dozing throughout the entire trip from Kunming to Dubai. When I woke up, the pilot was already announcing our arrival at Dubai Airport. It was dark outside, but the city was very bright. I wondered how much this city is paying for the electricity. Just looking at the hundreds of streetlamps along the roads, must be a lot.

Finally! I made it in Dubai. For awhile I cannot believe that I had survived my three-day journey to this city. It had been an adventure, traveling 3 cities in 3 days. Now with this exciting trip I can share stories with others back home who are dreaming to work here in Dubai.

Kunming-Dubai: approx. 3 hours

 Burj Khalifa from balcony