Five Dubai-bound Filipino passengers were stopped by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) from leaving the country on November 21.
The BI’s travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU) said the five male passengers were not allowed to board their flights at the terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, as they intended to work in the UAE but only presented tourist visas.
When pressed, they admitted that they were recruited to work as painters and pipe installers in the emirate.
They were also holding overseas employment certificates which proved that their intention was to work abroad, the immigration said.
They said their recruiters would convert their visit visas into employment visas once they reach the emirate, which is not allowed under the revised guidelines on departure formalities for international passengers set by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
They were advised to secure employment visa before departure.
