Embassy reminds illegally staying Filipinos in UAE

Filipinos illegally staying in the United Arab Emirates have only until the end of this month to regularize their stay or seek repatriation, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi said over the weekend.

The Embassy advisory came following the arrival of 150 undocumented Filipinos from Dubai on Saturday, bringing the total number of repatriates to 1,377 since the UAE government started implementing the three-month amnesty program on Aug. 1.

Through the Department of Foreign Affairs’ ₱1-billion Assistance to Nationals Fund, the government shouldered the exit fines, penalties, as well as the airline tickets to Manila and to their provinces of the returning undocumented Filipinos.

On top of these expenses, the DFA also provided financial assistance of ₱5,000 to each of the repatriates.

According to Embassy estimates, there are about 10,000 Filipinos in Abu Dhabi and 20,000 in Dubai who are deemed eligible under the amnesty program.

The UAE is extending amnesty to all foreigners who violated the country's immigration rules. Those who will avail of the program will be exempted from the usual fines and immigration penalties and will not be banned from re-entering that Gulf state country.