The Philippine Embassy in the UAE has issued an urgent advisory warning Filipino expatriates in the UAE to exercise caution following the announcement of a two-month amnesty period for residence visa violators, scheduled to begin on September 1, 2024.
In an official statement released online, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi emphasized that as of August 5, 2024, “no further details have been released by the UAE government” regarding the amnesty. The Embassy has received reports of fraudulent text messages and emails circulating, claiming to be official portals for registering for the amnesty program.
“The Philippine Embassy urges everyone to be vigilant in putting sensitive and/or personal information in unscrupulous websites. Only give details of your personal information to verified sites,” the advisory stated. The Embassy reassured the community that it is closely coordinating with the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) and other relevant agencies. Official announcements will be conveyed to the public as soon as they become available.
The amnesty program, as announced by the UAE government, offers a significant opportunity for residence visa violators to regularize their status or leave the country without facing financial penalties or legal repercussions. This two-month grace period is expected to provide relief to overstayers who may have unintentionally violated their visa terms, allowing them to correct their residency status or depart the UAE without incurring any fines.
For further inquiries, Filipinos in the UAE are encouraged to contact the Philippine Embassy or their local consulate for verified information and assistance regarding the amnesty.