Last November 8, 2010, I wrote a post on How to Secure Clearance from CHED. Back then, I really thought that the CHED clearance was the only thing I needed so that I won’t get held at the airport. Luckily, someone commented on my post saying:
jason71668 – Hi, I would like to add as well that the application process for the Travel Clearance does not end up with CHED. You still need to go to Bureau of Immigration for the actual permit. I called BI a while ago and they told me that the processing time takes at least two weeks just to grant you that temporary permit. I find this absurd as I was able to go to Singapore with just the CHED clearance (for academic purposes), maybe I just got lucky. Make sure to keep all of those clearances with your passport as the Immigration guys still hold people even on arrival (which is again absurd). Im really hoping that they would speed up processing of requests as its too tedious and time consuming to process all of these.
I am so grateful to Jason for sharing what he knew about the lifting of the hold departure order for CHED scholars. I never would have known about the more tedious process with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) because the CHED people said that the clearance that they will give to me is already enough – my ticket to freedom from the hassles of getting held at the airport.
As far as I can remember, CHED nor AdDU never told us about this hold departure order during our orientation (was there an orientation?-I could not remember). It was not also explicitly stated in our contract. They should have told us about these things because it is our right.
Actually, I also found out during my visit to Manila last week that people from CHED were not aware about the BI’s requirements. One of their staff accompanied us during my re-processing of my papers. Lucky us (CHED scholars) that she was there to submit some names that should be lifted from the hold departure order. It was a blessing in disguise because it was then that she knew that the clearance issued by CHED was NOT ENOUGH for us to get through the Immigration officers for travels abroad. If she wasn’t very nice to me, I could have felt very, very frustrated.
So anyway, for the information of other CHED scholars who wish to travel abroad for training, work, or pleasure, after securing the CHED clearance, you should have it stamped by BI that you don’t have any derogatory record. Here’s a letter from BI stating the procedures on getting a ticket to freedom. 😀 este, ticket to International travels pala.
We advise you to proceed to the Bureau of Immigration Main Office in Intramuros, Manila and file an application for the lifting of the Watch List Order. Herewith are the procedures for the said application:
Procedures for Lifting of Watch List Order for CHED Scholars:
1. Get Letter Request addressed to the Commissioner from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). – Actually this refers to the clearance that will be issued by CHED.
2. Bring Letter Request to the Verification and Certification Unit (VCU) of the Bureau of Immigration for checking of Derogatory Record. – Make sure that you have this photocopied and signed (received by BI) so that you will have proof that you submitted this document. Because in my experience, they “lost” my documents last December and I had to submit new documents again [ >:(] Grr..
– For those with Derogatory Record:
a. Bring printout of the Derogatory Record to Window 5 and apply at LID for Allow Departure Order (ADO) or Lifting of Watch List Order (WLO).
b. Pay corresponding fee of Php 500.00.
c. Bring back approved ADO or Lifting of WLO to VCU
d. VCU stamps “NO DEROGATORY RECORD” on the Letter Request which can already be presented at any port of exit.
– For those without Derogatory Record:
a. VCU stamps “NO DEROGATORY RECORD” on the original copy of the Letter Request which can already be presented at any port of exit; or they may apply for Certificate of No Derogatory Record at VCU for P1,010.00.
At first I was confused about derogatory records. Apparently, if your name was not yet submitted by CHED for lifting, you will fall under the category with Derogatory Record even if you already secured a CHED clearance. But if your name is already submitted by CHED for lifting, then your records will be clean (yey!!!) and you will fall under the no Derogatory records category.
It is not stated in this letter but you also have to submit a letter request addressed to the BI In-charge.
Should you have further immigration-related queries, please do not hesitate to call the BI Helpdesk Hotline at (63)(2)524-3824 or (63)(2)524-3769.
I hope this post is helpful to you! 🙂 Happy traveling! Sana may pasalubong ako. Hehe..
Oh, by the way, make sure that you go to BI at least a week before your departure date. This could really be annoying especially when you don’t live in Metro Manila. If you’re like me, you can ask a representative to do the processing for you. In this case,
You may authorize a representative to apply for the lifting of the Blacklist Order on your behalf provided the following requirements are presented:
1. Special Power of Attorney
2. Valid ID of representative
3. Valid ID of applicant
I guess these are all the information you need. I hope I can get my clearance stamped by BI soon. 🙂
Tech, Tot, & Trowel 
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