A total of 4,733 expatriates with overstaying cases had been issued the jobseeker visa at the Al Ain immigration center allowing them to stay in the UAE for six months to secure a job.
The visa is a part of the government’s amnesty program granted to visa violators which began on August 1. Those who would not be able to secure jobs during this time period need to leave the country to avoid facing legal problems, reported Khaleej Times.
Earlier, FAIC announced its plans to change in the current rules on issuing visas, including the introduction of visas specifically for jobseekers valid for three to six months.
The plan was announced after reports that most of the amnesty grantees entered the country with a visit or tourist visa with the intention of seeking jobs. Their visit or tourist visa eventually expired without a work visa on hand causing them to overstay.
FAIC added that among the proposed changes in the current process of issuing visa is to require applicants to pay a security deposit to ensure that they will leave the country before their visa expires.
FAIC also continues to urge expats with overstaying and absconding cases to avail of the program before it ends on October 31. The amnesty program allows visa violators to leave the country without paying fines and facing legal charges or have their status changed by paying specific fees to be able to stay in the country.
As of press time, more than 1000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Abu Dhabi and Dubai have returned to the Philippines under the program.
The Authority also proposes that the embassies pay for the return flight tickets of their nationals.
