RP embassy in UAE warns Pinoys against visa runs

abs-cbnNEWS.com


The Philippine embassy in the United Arab Emirates has cautioned Filipinos against individuals or groups who advise them to exit to neighboring countries like Iran or Oman while waiting for their visas to be processed.

The embassy made the warning through a statement issued on Sept. 24, 2008.

“The Embassy strongly urges those concerned not to fall prey to entities or facilitators who advice people to exit neighboring countries for "a few days" while waiting for their re-entry into the country, and to report them immediately to the Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai,” the statement said.

The embassy said it is investigating reports that stranded Filipinos flee to neighboring countries while waiting for their re-entry visas to the UAE.

“The Embassy would like to inform our kababayans that under the new UAE visa regulations, which took effect 01 August 2008, conversions from a visit visa to an employment, may now take at least one (1) month to process,” the statement said.

It added that obtaining a new visit visa may also take several weeks due to the backlog of pending applications.

The embassy further advised stranded OFWs who wish to return to the UAE to wait for the visas in the Philippines due to the extended waiting period in obtaining re-entry.

Meanwhile, Brig. Nasser Al Awadhi Al Manhali, acting director general of the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department, stated that the new regulations were put in place to prevent manipulation of visit visas or illegal stay in the country.

More than 220,000 foreigners, including Filipinos, have been issued new visas since the new regulation was enforced on July 29, 2008.

This, however, resulted in several thousand Filipinos fleeing the UAE to Iran or Oman while they await for the renewal of their visas.

as of 10/06/2008 10:12 PM

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