Over 2K Filipinos avail of UAE amnesty for overstayers during first week of program

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A total of 2,053 Filipinos have come forward to avail of the UAE government’s amnesty initiative during the first week of its implementation, the Philippine Embassy and Consulate General said.

A joint statement posted on the Philippine Consulate General’s Facebook account on Friday, September 6, said the demand for services from amnesty applicants has been increasing.

“The embassy, consulate and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been working collaboratively to meet the increasing demand for services from amnesty applicants.

“We are encouraged to witness so many of our fellow Filipinos taking this opportunity to comply with immigration laws through the amnesty program,” the statement read.

The Philippine diplomatic mission said a “significant number of applicants at the embassy and consulate have been renewing or replacing lost passports as a necessary step towards regularizing their stay.”

At the same time, officials also cautioned overstayers against engaging with unauthorized persons, saying “it is imperative that all transactions be conducted directly with the Philippine Embassy/Consulate or relevant UAE authorities to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of the information and services provided.”

In the statement, officials stressed that the embassy and consulate have not granted authorization to any private entity to accept, process or expedite passport applications or any other consular services on behalf of applicants.

Meantime, the Philippine Embassy and Consulate General said there were those who have applied for travel documents to secure exit passes, requesting repatriation support from MWO and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) after having been separated from their families for a long time. 

It can also be noted that there were families whose children were born at home with the parents not married at the time of birth, which means proper documentation was needed.

“Several families have sought support in documenting their minor children to regularize their immigration status,” the joint statement said.

“This year’s amnesty program has given hope to families, particularly children, who stand to benefit from these opportunities,” it added.

The Philippine Embassy and Consulate General urged other overstaying Filipinos and those with immigration issues in the UAE to seek help to visit their offices and inquire how to benefit from the amnesty program.

“Our offices are committed to providing assistance subject to existing laws and regulations,” the joint statement read.

The two-month amnesty program started on September 1 will run until October 31, 2024. —KBK, GMA Integrated News