With the amnesty period for overstayers nearing its end, Filipino workers in the UAE are being warned to avoid scammers while trying to fix their legal status.
There have been reports of Filipinos, who thought they had sorted out their papers, being stopped at the airport and denied re-entry due to incomplete or fake documents.
Ambassador Alfonso A. Ver explained that some Filipinos, even after getting regularized, were still falling victim to fraud. “Some have their papers sorted but are still blocked at the airport,” he said in an interview with GMA News Online.
Labor Attaché John Rio Bautista also advised all overstayers seeking amnesty to be cautious and only work with legitimate agencies when converting their visas. “Make sure the companies you deal with are legal and can provide proper visas,” he emphasized.
Volunteers helping with the amnesty process reported cases of scammers selling fake visas to desperate overstayers, a practice that is illegal. According to UAE law, an employment visa can only be issued after a valid job offer, employment contract, and proof that the company is legitimate.
Job seekers must leave the UAE while their visa is processed or pay a fee if they choose to stay.
As the October 31, 2024 deadline approaches, Ambassador Ver expects more overstayers to return home through the Philippine government’s repatriation program, possibly with two special flights arranged.
The amnesty, which started on September 1, 2024, allows overstayers to either go home without facing penalties or stay legally if they secure a proper job.
