EDITOR’S CHOICETop Stories

Libreng ticket para sa mga OFW Amnesty Seeker

A new beginning awaits overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE who long to reunite with their families back home after overstaying in the UAE. The Philippine government, through the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate in Dubai, has announced that it will provide extensive financial aid to those who will be availing of the amnesty program initiated by the UAE government last August 1. The three-month amnesty scheme will end on October 31.

Abu Dhabi / Al Ain / Western Regions

Filipinos in the UAE who already have their passports on hand and opt for repatriation with visas issued within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Gharbia, Al Dhafra, and the Western Regions) will be assisted thoroughly by the embassy. “Assistance will cover payment for exit passes, fees for absconding lifting, and airfare to the Philippines,” a statement from the embassy read.

Philippine Embassy Chargé d’affaires a.i Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil mentioned that even those who don’t have the passports may still proceed to the embassy to secure their travel document. “”Travel document and booking reservation are both required for the issuance of exit pass. So, it has to be coursed through us. Meanwhile, we will take care of the travel document, free of charge,” said Daquipil.

Dubai and the Northern Emirates

Philippine Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes clarified that only those with Overstaying and Absconding cases will be assisted for repatriation: “The amnesty does not cover those with police cases including bank loans, baby cases, etc.”. The consulate will also take care of the repatriation of OFWs with most recent visas issued within Dubai and the Northern Emirates, including their airfare. “The Philippine Government will pay for the necessary exit permits, clearances, and one-way plane fare to the Philippines ONLY for those who wish to avail of amnesty and return to the country,” the consulate in a statement said.

Option to stay

One factor that separates the amnesty program this year compared to the two programs during 2007 and 2012-2013 is that expats now have the choice to rectify their status and be provided with a six-month temporary visa to find a new job and a new sponsor. Those who decide to stay need only pay Dh 500+ to have their status cleared. After which, they need to proceed to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) to sign up and get their six-month temporary visa.

ConGen Cortes assured the Filipino community in the UAE that both the consulate and the embassy are hands-on and committed to assist each and every OFW who will approach them: “I do recommend and suggest that if any of our kababayans is either overstaying or has a pending absconding case, please consider very strongly the amnesty program because it will allow you to return home. We assure the public that the consulate and the embassy are committed to assist in the most effective and efficient way possible and we do encourage them to keep abreast of official information from the UAE authorities and/or the Philippine Consulate and Embassy officials as well. We do hope everybody heeds the call of the UAE government to legalize their status or the UAE’s call to allow them to return to their home countries.”

Location of Amnesty Centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai:
Al Shahama Amnesty Center (for Abu Dhabi visa holders): Behind Shahama Bus Station.
Landmarks: Facing ADIB Building, nearby Hardee’s and KFC

Al Ain Amnesty Center (for Al Ain visa holders): General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs, in Al Jimi, Al Ain
Landmarks: Near Department of Economic Development and Al Ain Distribution Company

Western Region/ Al Gharbia/ Al Dhafra Amnesty Center: Department of Residence and Foreign Affairs – Al Dhafra Region,
Landmarks: Near the TAMM Office, also near Madinat Zayed Police Station

Dubai Amnesty Center: Al Aweer Immigration / Office of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs,
Landmarks: Near Al Amal Hospital and the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children

Neil Bie

Neil Bie is the Assistant Editor for The Filipino Times, responsible for gathering news that will resonate among OFW readers in the UAE, Philippines, and around 200 countries, where the platform reaches both Filipinos and worldwide audiences. ||| Get in touch with Neil at: Facebook: Neil Bie ||| Email: [email protected]||| or by sending a message to the Facebook page of The Filipino Times at: https://www.facebook.com/FilipinoTimes/

Related Articles

Back to top button