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Dubai: More and more overstaying Filipinos return home after obtaining amnesty waiver thanks to visa amnesty – News
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Dubai: More and more overstaying Filipinos return home after obtaining amnesty waiver thanks to visa amnesty – News

Philippine Labor Attaché John Rio A. Bautista and Consul General Marford Angeles meet with Filipino returnees as they check in for their flights on October 31. Photos: provided.

Philippine Labor Attaché John Rio A. Bautista and Consul General Marford Angeles meet with Filipino returnees as they check in for their flights on October 31. Photos: provided.

Thirty-five overstay Filipinos from Dubai and the Northern Emirates returned home on Thursday, bringing the total number of Filipino returnees to 732 from the UAE’s visa amnesty program. started on September 1.

The Philippine government has facilitated the repatriation of overstayers who have chosen to return home. In addition to getting their fines canceledreturnees also received “essential assistance from the Philippine government, including assistance with air tickets and consular documents”, the Southeast Asian country’s missions to the UAE said.


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The 10th group of returnees departed Thursday evening aboard Philippine Airlines Flight 659.




“Those with special cases were also assisted in obtaining their exit passes. Overseas Filipinos who enlisted for the repatriation program will receive financial assistance upon their arrival in Manila,” the Philippine Missions added.

‘Don’t delay’

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver reiterated the importance of taking advantage of the amnesty program without delay. He urged all remaining eligible Filipinos to quickly obtain their exit passes before the new deadline “as new guidelines have been issued to UAE companies to stop recruiting overstayers.”

Ver also welcomed the announcement of extension of amnesty period “as a welcome and positive development for foreign nationals who have cases of overstay and flight”.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) announced on Thursday the extension of the UAE visa amnesty program by two months, until December 31. The program, which began on September 1, was originally scheduled to end in October. 31.

“The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai, as well as the Migrant Workers Offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, remain grateful for the mercy and kindness of the UAE towards the Filipinos and strongly encourage our applicants eligible. Kababayan (compatriots) who have not yet taken advantage of the amnesty to take advantage of this generous measure from the UAE authorities,” said Ver. Khaleej Schedule Friday.

“(We) are fully prepared to continue offering comprehensive consular and national assistance services to Filipino amnesty applicants. We are deeply grateful to the UAE government for its generosity in providing more opportunities for Filipino amnesty seekers to legalize their immigration status,” he added.

Ver said earlier: “Filipinos who were unable to obtain work visas are encouraged to take advantage of the amnesty program and return home to the Philippines rather than risk prolonging their stay.

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