Missions line up to assist those seeking clemency
abu dhabi — The diplomatic missions of Philippines in the UAE will foot the amnesty bills of their citizens, including one way air ticket to fly back home, the embassy has announced. The embassies and Consulate General of other labour-intensive countries like India, Bangladesh and Nepal, to mention a few, have also lined up various initiatives to assist individuals who wish to seek the three-month long Amnesty starting on August 1.
1. Philippine embassy
In a Facebook post, the Philippine embassy said that financial assistance will be only given to those opting for exiting the country. The consulate in Dubai also made a similar announcement.
The financial assistance will cover the payment for exit passes, penalty for lifting the absconding status and a one-way ticket back to the Philippines. In order to attain assistance, the applicant’s most recent visa must be issued in Abu Dhabi or Dubai respectively.
However, not everyone will be given financial support.
According to the Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes, the UAE amnesty programme is only for those with overstaying and absconding cases. “It does not cover those with police cases (bank loans, baby cases, etc.),” the envoy wrote on Facebook.
2. Bangladesh embassy
The Bangladeshi embassy said they are planning to reduce the cost of exit passes by half for amnesty seekers. “For those who want to leave the country, we are planning to reduce the cost of the exit pass. Last year, the cost was reduced from Dh60 to Dh20.
This year, we will see the numbers and take a decision accordingly,” Muhammad Imran, Bangladeshi ambassador to the UAE, told Khaleej Times.
According to him, the embassy will also consider giving air tickets to destitute citizens who want to go back to Bangladesh.
He said the mission is also expediting the formalities of passport verification by making the process easy and quick.
“We are trying to issue emergency certificate and passports in the shortest time possible with minimum requirements so that as many people can avail of amnesty.”
3. Indian embassy
Indian embassy will also be extending financial assistance to deserving candidates, said Smitha Pant, deputy chief of the Indian embassy. “We would like to reassure that all financial assistance will be given to deserving candidates. We will consider it on a case-by-case basis.”
A mobile number at the embassy (050-8995583) and toll-free number (80046342) of the Indian Workers Resource Centre will answer queries and offer assistance round the clock. All prominent community organisations have also set up helpdesk to help individuals seeking amnesty.
4. Sri Lankan embassy
Chathura Weerasekara, head of chancery at the Sri Lankan Consulate, said the mission will consider issuing travel documents for free if the candidates are economically deserving.
A special queue system will also be established in the Consulate General for assisting the Sri Lankan citizens who are seeking amnesty.
“Residents can get in touch through a dedicated phone line (043986991 and 043986535 Ext 13) and email address assistdubaiamnesty@gmail.comfor any queries and assistance related to amnesty,” said Weerasekara.
Depending on the number of amnesty seekers, he said volunteers will be stationed at the key Immigration offices to assist citizens, he added.