The Philippine missions in the UAE have issued a warning to their fellow Filipinos, known as kababayan, about fake websites spreading false information regarding the upcoming visa amnesty set to begin on September 1.
The Philippine Embassy has reported receiving alarming notifications about fraudulent text messages and emails directing individuals to bogus sites that claim to be the official registration portal for the amnesty program.
“The Philippine Embassy urges everyone to be vigilant in providing sensitive and personal information online. Only share your details on verified websites,” the mission stated. They also emphasized that the UAE Government has yet to release specific details about the two-month visa amnesty program.
The embassy reassured the public that they are in ongoing coordination with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) and other relevant agencies. Official announcements and advisories will be issued as soon as they become available.
Reflecting on past amnesty programs, the Philippine government, during the last amnesty in November 2018, spent approximately Dh7.8 million to cover the exit fees (Dh221 per person), the lifting of absconding cases (Dh521), and the airfare (Dh1,500) for returning Filipinos. Additionally, each individual, excluding minors, received $100 (Dh365) as “humble welfare assistance.”
Smart Systems Implementation
Immigration officials have discussed plans and procedures for the upcoming visa amnesty program, indicating that smart systems will be utilized to simplify the process.
This will mark the fourth amnesty program by the UAE government since 2007. The previous amnesty, six years ago, was initially scheduled to last 90 days until October 31, 2018, but was extended for two additional months until December 31 to allow more residency violators to rectify their status or leave the country without facing penalties.
Historical Amnesty Data
In 2007, around 342,000 residents across the UAE benefited from a two-month amnesty. The 2012/2013 amnesty saw over 60,000 migrants take advantage of the service nationwide.
In the 2018 amnesty, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) reported that 105,809 residence visa violators applied for amnesty in Dubai. Millions of dirhams in fines were waived during the five-month program that concluded on December 31, 2018.
With the upcoming amnesty, the Philippine missions continue to stress the importance of staying informed through official channels and avoiding fraudulent websites that seek to exploit vulnerable individuals.