Overstaying Pinoys asked to apply as UAE extends visa amnesty program

DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates on Thursday extended its visa amnesty program for overstaying foreigners until December 31, a development welcomed by the Philippine government. 

The announcement was made by the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP).

Launched on September 1, the amnesty program was supposed to conclude on October 31. 

Maj. Gen. Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, ICP director-general, said that the initiative responds to appeals from violators wishing to settle their status by either leaving the country or obtaining employment and modifying their residency status.

Ambassador Alfonso Ver, head of the Philippine mission in the UAE, said the extension was a “welcome and positive development.”

“The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General in Dubai, together with the Migrant Workers Offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, remain profoundly grateful for the mercy and kindness of the UAE towards Filipinos and highly encourage our eligible kababayans, who have not yet availed of the amnesty, to take advantage of this generous measure of the UAE authorities,” the ambassador said in a statement on Friday. 

He said the embassy and consulate general “stand fully prepared to continue offering comprehensive consular and assistance-to-nationals services to amnesty seekers.”

Comments expressing relief and happiness about the extension filled a Facebook chat group formed as a meeting space where Filipino overstayers can seek advice about how to move forward with the amnesty.

“Naiyak ako sa tuwa (dahil) may chance nang maayos ang papel ng dalawa ko pang anak. Alhamdulillah,” said one overstayer. (I was having tears of joy because this gives my two kids a chance for their papers to be processed. Praise be to God.)

“Maagang pamasko ito. Salamat po, UAE,” said another.

(This is an early Christmas gift. Thank you, UAE.)

“Alhamdillah po. Nakatuwa po yan para sa mga kabayang gusto pang lumaban at kumapit po na magstay pa sila dahil sa mga anak at mg pamilya. At higit sa lahat, para sa mga pangarap nila sa sarili dito sa UAE. We love UAE,” said yet another.

(Praise be to God. That’s good news for our fellow Filipinos who want to still take their chances and stay for their children and family. Most of all, for their dreams here in UAE.)

Al Khaili clarified that this extension represents the final opportunity for violators to regularize their status without incurring fines or facing entry bans.

He said that the benefits of the initiative reflect its humanitarian dimension, providing violators with a greater chance to settle their status, address challenges, safeguard their rights, and protect their families.

Al Khaili added that the amnesty period witnessed a strong turnout over the past two months, with violators taking advantage of the benefits offered.

The amnesty waives the AED50 daily fine for overstaying as well as penalties for absconding. It also offers two options: leave the country with a clean slate and come back later to start again, or stay provided a new job has been secured. —VBL, GMA Integrated News