NAIA to POE LAX. Guide please!

[melonshake 24]

Hi! I will be flying to the US on a k1 visa in a few days. This is my first international flight so I am not really familiar with the processes and things that are needed to be done, fees to pay, documents that will be asked at NAIA and upon arrival at LAX. I have read a few dozen reviews, blogs about POE and stuff like that but none are from 2016 and things might be different now. I think I am good but I just wanna make sure so I will know what to expect.

I appreciate any help! Thanks! ?

[Greenbaum 12,258]

First congratulations.

You will be fine traveling. Your best source of information when traveling is to ask the airline employees any and all questions you may have. That is their job - to help. Having said that you will need to pay the terminal fee at departure. Information is here.

www.philippineembassy-usa.org/about-the-philippines-dc/

The Philippine Travel Tax is PHP1,620.00 (approximately $35.00). Check your ticket this should be included in the cost breakdown. This fee is not. All passengers departing from the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) are expected to pay the Airport Terminal Fee of PHP750.00 (approximately $17.00). No one is exempt from paying the Airport Terminal Fee.

I list the forms that you will need to fill out while inflight. But if you fill them out and print them to take with you, you will not have to do inflight. http://dennyeyberg.wixsite.com/filipino-am-visa/airport

Once you deplane in Los Angeles just follow the crowd to immigration. Once at immigration you will present your passport and the plastic packet that was mailed to you with the visa paperwork inside. Give the passport and the plastic packet to the Immigration Officer. He will open the packet and begin to remove the paperwork that is needed and review your visa, packet and passport. Once he/she stamps your passport and once released from immigration you will proceed to baggage claim area. Follow the signs. Once you have your luggage you will pass through customs. Again, follow the signs. Once through customs you can meet your party, or go to the ticket counter for your onward flight and check in.

Good luck and safe travels.

[Dashinka 23,209]

Also Congratulations.

Check out the LAX POE reviews here. There are several from 2016. Shouldn't be too difficult.

Good Luck!

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?poe=Los+Angeles&dfilter=0

Edited August 21, 2016 by Bill & Katya

[Dashinka 23,209]

One other comment. It looks like LAX will be the POE, but you are actually heading to Las Vegas. Make sure you leave at least a minimum of two hours if you are getting a connecting flight to LV.

Good Luck!

[LKMK 85]

That last few times I have flown out of NAIA I have not had to pay the PHP750 terminal fee fee. That was in May 2016. When I asked about it last time they said the fee was already included in my ticket. This is not true for Mactan/Cebu. You have to pay it when you fly out from Cebu. Hoping someone else can verify this. But I'm also the USC. You still may have to pay it if you are the Filippino. Or maybe I've just been lucky and not had to do so.

But things can also change at the drop of a hat. Each of the last 4 trips I have made to/from the Philippines they have always changed up what is allowed and what is not allowed in your carry on. This is mostly domestic flights though. I've not had a problem once I've made it to a US carrier (they are a little less strict). But for Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific its been things like oh you can't have that decorative fan with you, so I had to pay extra to check it. Then it was oh you can't have that glass coffee mug, so I had to have my luggage pulled off the plane so I could put it in my checked luggage. Most recently was oh you can't have that dive regulator (which I had with me the 3 previous trips and it was ok) with you in your carry on so I had to pay extra to check it as well. I don't think I've escaped a Philippine airport without paying at least PHP1000-2000. It's not much considering, but by that time I've given all my cash to my fiancée and I've had to scramble to find money to pay the fees. So now, I make sure I always have at least PHP2000 in my pocket when I leave. Lol

I still loved my visits though and most of all being with my fiancée. All in all, I can say that each time I've gone entered the Philippines I've been relaxed but each time I've flown back to the States I've always been stressed because I don't know what to expect. Something new but at least it adds to the story when I get home. Because as they say, "It's always more fun in the Philippines!" Lol

[melonshake 24]

Thank you all so much for the added knowledge!

Hi! we will be travelling by land to LV from LA. ?

One other comment. It looks like LAX will be the POE, but you are actually heading to Las Vegas. Make sure you leave at least a minimum of two hours if you are getting a connecting flight to LV.

Good Luck!

[Terapin 10]

That last few times I have flown out of NAIA I have not had to pay the PHP750 terminal fee fee. That was in May 2016. When I asked about it last time they said the fee was already included in my ticket. This is not true for Mactan/Cebu.

Yep. We flew from NAIA to Siem Reap, and my wife had to pay those stupid fèes. This was on Bangkok airlines. Flying back to the states from Manila on Delta the fees were included in the ticket price.

[LKMK 85]

That last few times I have flown out of NAIA I have not had to pay the PHP750 terminal fee fee. That was in May 2016. When I asked about it last time they said the fee was already included in my ticket. This is not true for Mactan/Cebu.

Yep. We flew from NAIA to Siem Reap, and my wife had to pay those stupid fèes. This was on Bangkok airlines. Flying back to the states from Manila on Delta the fees were included in the ticket price.

Thanks for the update Terapin. That makes sense because I have flown Delta out the past few times. The added knowledge is useful for us all!

[melonshake 24]

Hi again! I attended the CFO yesterday and they gave us a handbook of guides for filipinos migrating to the states. It was all there it was great!