July 18th, 2023 at 12:07 am
Top 5 Important Travel Tips for Freelancers
When you don’t have work at home, it can be challenging to travel to another country. This is because it prompts numerous inquiries and considerations on your potential absence from your trip. Having a full-time job demonstrates two things:
- You first have a reliable source of revenue
- You have a good incentive to come back after the vacation as well.
The majority of firms provide their employees with payroll bank accounts, and they have a designated HR department that submits tax returns and health insurance plans (HMO) on their behalf. On the other hand, independent contractors lack that convenience. They frequently must complete all of these tasks alone. And many freelancers decide to just do without it because it takes a lot of time and work.
However, it is the issue. Deal with the paperwork as soon as you can if, as a freelancer, you anticipate taking regular trips abroad. Here are some suggestions to make traveling considerably simpler.
1. Get a Certificate of Employment from your clients
Technically speaking, it is more of a written reference than a certificate of employment. This document essentially validates that you have been recruited or that you are working as a consultant or freelancer for them.
This might be used instead of a corporate ID. Keep in mind that immigration officers (at least in the Philippines) frequently request a firm ID, which the majority of independent contractors lack. It should ideally specify the nature and duration of your engagement. Additionally, your customer should sign it and include their phone number in case more information is required.
Make sure the document you provide with your visa application specifies how much money you receive from them as most embassies will check for this information.
2. Open a bank account and save up!
Most embassies and consulates need bank certificates and, occasionally, bank statements from people applying for visas. What specifically are they looking for? Three things in particular:
- How much money you currently have will help them determine if you can afford the vacation.
- Your Average Daily Balance (ADB) for the previous six months will demonstrate to them that the money you currently possess did not come out of thin air (i.e., you did not borrow money and deposit it recently to deceive them).
- What is the age of your account?
Therefore, start saving as soon as you can and don’t touch it.
3. Beef up your travel history
One of the most popular pieces of advice is how to ensure that their application for a Schengen visa is accepted even if:
- You lack bank documents and other financial justification for the travel.
- You lack documentation proving your source of income (no ITR, no employment certificate, no documents proving business registration).
Don’t rush to travel to Europe at this time. Create a bank account, take your time, and finish other forms while you wait. You can also visit VISA-FREE nations to add to your travel resume.
Freelancers who filed for Schengen and US visas early on and were denied frequently tell stories like these. They completed the necessary documents and enhanced their travel record. When they reapplied, their requests were granted.
4. Get yourself insured
Philhealth comes first. Your former company likely paid for your Philhealth if you quit your full-time work. In that case, keep going. Continue even if you’ll have to pay for it yourself.
Sign up if you’ve never had Philhealth coverage. It’s simple. If you don’t want to be harassed, you can even pay for the entire year.
Better yet, for as little as P18,000 a year, purchase health insurance from well-known HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations). According to Fitz Villafuerte, a finance expert, “Several HMOs in the nation have affordable packages designed for self-employed individuals.” The finest part of this medical insurance is that you can utilize it IN ADDITION to the PhilHealth benefits, she added.
Additionally, think about getting travel insurance each time you go on a trip.
5. Take care of the paperwork
When applying for a visa as a freelancer without any documentation of employment, it can be challenging because they require a certificate of employment. Also, they request company ID when passing through immigration.
You can file a business registration for your service. You will then receive business registration documentation as a self-employed person. Nearly without exception, Immigration and embassies accept all of these. The entire procedure may be laborious and daunting and involve numerous steps. But by doing it in this manner, you can have the following:
- A company ID
- Business registration documents
- ITR
It is worthwhile. When you have the documentation proving you have a job, or in this case, a business, traveling becomes much simpler. Furthermore, you are no longer concerned about being offloaded.
Travel Buzzkills & How to Avoid Them
1. Flight Delays
Your schedule may be ruined by a flight delay. The biggest buzzkills occur before the vacation even gets underway. It is especially damaging if your itinerary is rigid and offers little room for flexibility.
Although you can never fully predict which flights will be delayed, there are several that are more likely to do so. For instance, understand how flight schedules operate. Your flight is more likely to experience rolling delays the later it is in the day. Always reserve early flight times.
2. Immigration Problems
Everyone has heard terrifying tales of being refused entry or exit from a nation. The Bureau of Immigration has incredibly harsh regulations that are predicated on prejudice. At airports all across the world, profiling is a common technique.
How to prevent it: Ensure that all submitted documents are legitimate and authentic.
3. Too Much Hype
When your friends and online evaluations work together to construct a beautiful picture of a location that ultimately turns out to be something else, it is overhyped.
Keep your expectations in check to avoid it. Those wonderful surprises are some of the nicest parts of traveling.
4. Confused Head, Grumpy Tummy
Motion sickness, diarrhea, and body aches are three of the ailments that travelers are most prone to contract while traveling. And all three resemble that ex you’ve always wanted to get over but who refuses to leave your life.
Travel with this essential bundle of toiletries and medications to prevent it. The medications are intended to treat the three issues described above. Meds are a need for travel.
5. Accidents and Injuries
Up until someone is hurt, it’s all fun. Accidents can happen at any time, which can make your adventure less exciting.
How to prevent it: It’s a common refrain to hear, “Take a risk.” What’s this? It does not always apply. Take security measures. Avoid taking a chance on your life. You are probably correct if you feel unprepared.
6. Dreadful Weather
By choosing the correct dates, it is possible to avoid the typical annoyance of uncooperative weather. Doing some research can be quite helpful. Even so, if the weather is always predicted, it isn’t weather. There are certain days when the forecast calls for sunlight but, when the time comes, rains treachery on you.
You can steer clear of negativity, but you can’t steer clear of the erratic skies. Accept it as it is. Either you carry out the strategy or you find something else to do.
7. Closing Time
Travel requires precise timing. Many significant websites do not operate every day of the week or every month. When all that stands between you and it is a gate that is closed and a sign with the dreaded six letters of awful timing, it can be a bummer to not be able to enjoy it, whether it’s closed for maintenance, closed for a special event, or just closed generally.
How to avoid it: Research.
8. Scams
Scams are without limits. Scammers are waiting for that trusting traveler who is unaware and unwary. Don’t act like a tourist.
How to prevent it Research. Check out review websites or travel blogs before traveling to a new place.
9. Bad Company
Traveling together is said to be a good way to test a relationship. Like a road test, really. Traveling gives you a chance to see someone for who they are: how they react under pressure, how they interact with others, how receptive they are to new experiences, how they handle control, and the decisions they make.
Travel alone to avoid it. But if traveling alone isn’t for you, pick your traveling companion wisely. And if a friend ends up being less than perfect, discuss it with that pal.
Visit Newsnowgh.com for the most up-to-date information on changes to visa criteria, prospective paths to obtaining legal residency, and others.