Mission awaits Manila’s nod to conduct certificate
dubai — The Philippines Consulate in Dubai is waiting for instructions from the Philippine government in Manila on the issuing of the ‘good conduct certificate’ as a prerequisite for obtaining work visas in the UAE, Philippine consul-general Paul Raymund Cortes said.
“We have already sent a report to Manila’s Department of Foreign Affairs and we are seeking guidance on how we are going to issue the good conduct certificate,” Cortes told Khaleej Times during a Press briefing, at the Philippine Consulate on Tuesday.
Last week, Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, assistant commander-in-chief of the Dubai Police’s criminal investigation affairs department, has said that the certificate is aimed at preventing and reducing crime in the UAE.
The certificate of good conduct — a mandatory requirement from February 4 — has to be issued by the country of origin of the person (seeking employment visa) or the country where the person has been residing for the past five years. It has to be attested by the UAE missions or attestation centres of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation abroad.
“It is a requirement that we are going to comply with, but we are still awaiting for the specific details on how we can go about it,” Cortes added.
Philippine vice consul Elizabeth Ramos also told Khaleej Times a “similar document” is already being issued by the Philippine government
It is a requirement but we are still awaiting for the specific details on how we can go about it.” Paul Raymund Cortes, Philippine consul-general
to migrant Filipinos, so they see no problems in issuing the new certificate required by the UAE.
“The closest thing we have is the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance, but we are not sure if this is the same certificate that will be required by the Dubai Police,” Ramos said.
The NBI clearance is the Philippine police clearance. The Consulate provides a fingerprint card which serves as the application for NBI clearance and the applicant goes to the police station for fingerprinting and the document is then attested by the Consulate, Ramos explained.
“Last year, we have processed around 1,000 NBI clearances as required by some companies in Dubai and as per the request of Filipinos who migrated to other countries,” Ramos added.
Legal assistance for Filipinos
Meanwhile, Cortes said the Philippine Consulate fund for its Assistance to Nationals (ATN) has dramatically increased.
“If you (Philippines nationals) need any legal assistance, please don’t hesitate to seek help from the Consulate. You can call or send text or WhatsApp messages to us on 0565015755 to 56 or you can drop me a personal message (PM) on my personal Facebook account (www.facebook.com/ phconge ndubaipa ulcortes/),” Cortes said.
There is also free legal assistance clinic at the Consulate, every Wednesday from 1pm-5pm. “Please bring all the necessary documents and we will help you with any of your legal problems.”
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