A Filipino expatriate and finance manager in Dubai has recently been granted a prestigious 10-year Golden Visa through his extensive volunteer work across various organizations in the UAE. Jrom Dela Cruz, who has been residing in the UAE for 10 years, dedicated 515 hours to volunteering in activities ranging from sports matches to iftar distributions during Ramadan.
Dela Cruz’s journey toward securing the Golden Visa began in March 2024, when he first started volunteering.
“I just started last March 2024 and I love volunteering without any expectation. For me, it’s social service for the betterment of the community, and I am proud to be part of this,” he shared with The Global Filipino Magazine.
His volunteer activities spanned a wide array of events, including cycling events, karate cups, football matches, and bicycle racing. His dedication to these causes not only contributed to the community but also eventually led him to discover the Golden Visa opportunity.
“I joined last Ramadan and didn’t have any idea about the Golden Visa through volunteering. I just discovered it eventually. One of my fellow volunteers got the Golden Visa, and I asked him how he got it and what the requirements were,” Dela Cruz, who does vlogging on the side, recounted.
After completing the required 515 volunteer hours, including 24 hours in the Dubai Police platform, Dela Cruz embarked on the application process.
“Once I completed the required hours, I called Volunteers.ae to ask for the Nomination Letter for the Golden Visa. After that, I went through the necessary approvals with ICP and GDRFAD and submitted my application through a typing center, paying the fees,” he explained.
He outlined the steps involved in applying for the Golden Visa through volunteer work:
Nomination Letter: After completing the required volunteer hours, contact Volunteers.ae at 800-86523 to request a Nomination Letter for the Golden Visa.
ICP Approval: Download the UAEICP app and upload the Nomination Letter, eVisa, Emirates ID, passport copy, and college degree.
GDRFAD Approval: Once you receive the reference number for ICP approval via email, print it along with your Emirates ID copy and submit it to the Jafiliya Immigration office.
Submission and Fees: Proceed to a typing center to submit your Golden Visa application and pay the fees—AED 3,080 for the application and an additional AED 1,300 for medical tests and the Emirates ID.
Reflecting on his achievement, Dela Cruz expressed deep gratitude for the support he received throughout his journey.
“For the past few months, I’ve been busy with humanitarian work; finally, I got my Golden Visa approval from GDRFAD. Thank you, God, for all your blessings, for the strength you give me each day, and for all the people around me who make life more meaningful. Thank you also to the UAE Government for this incredible experience and opportunity. And lastly, deep gratitude to my fellow volunteers and to the visionary leaders in the UAE.”
Dela Cruz also offered advice to those considering the Golden Visa through volunteerism.
“Being a volunteer doesn’t necessarily mean you have the time; as long as you have the heart, you can be a volunteer. It’s about focus, commitment, and dedication. Choose to volunteer for something you truly care about. Many volunteer programs require a certain amount of shifts or hours each month, so start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.”