Pinoys in UAE cautioned vs dealing with travel agents

MANILA, Philippines - Following reports of stranded expatriates in Kish Island and Qeshm in Iran, Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were warned Tuesday against dealing with travel agents and re-entry visa facilitators.

Online news site Khaleej Times reported that the warning came from Philippine ambassador Libran Cabactulan after a meeting with seven Dubai-based travel agencies.

Cabactulan noted that aside from Kish and Qeshm, Filipinos were also stranded in Buraimi and Kassam in Oman.

But he pointed out the travel agents were told to deliver the visas to Filipinos with travel problems as this was part of their social responsibility.

Cabactulan said that under UAE's new visa regulations, which took effect last Aug. 1, the switchover from visit visa to employment visa may now take at least a month.

"Obtaining a new visit visa may also take several weeks due to the backlog of pending applications," he said.

He advised all Filipinos who wish to return to the UAE to go to the Philippines and wait for their fresh visas.

Philippine diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi and Muscat, Oman had sprung into action soon after media highlighted the plight of thousands of Filipinos stranded in Oman.

In Buraimi alone, the number of Filipinos stranded crossed 1,500 by Oct. 1.- GMANews.TV

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