Stricter measures imposed for Pinoys bringing relatives to UAE

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Philippine missions here have implemented stricter policies for overseas Filipinos sponsoring relatives to the UAE, requiring, among others, that they are making not less than AED10,000 to do so.

The move imposing salary threshold requirements was meant to ensure that those sending relatives can actually afford to accommodate them, officials said.

This was implemented as many UAE residents find themselves either without jobs, on no-work-no-pay arrangements, or experiencing salary cuts because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new requirement took effect on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020.

“The people who are asking about the Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (ASG) said they understand that supporting someone in the current pandemic situation requires a lot of funds,” Consul General Marford Angeles said.

The ASG comprises a set of documents needed to be presented to the embassy or consulate when petitioning a relative from the Philippines to come to the UAE as tourist.

Angeles said those who have queries about the new requirements should reach out to the embassy in Abu Dhabi or the consulate in Dubai with their concerns.

“We will respond,” he said.

Abused visas

Other quarters, meanwhile, said the move was also meant to discourage the practice of bringing in relatives to the UAE to look for jobs.

It can be noted that the embassy and consulate have stranded visit and tourist visa holders as among their priorities in the government’s ongoing repatriation efforts. The consulate has so far repatriated approximately 2,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Dubai, including visit or tourist visa holders.

Badly affected by the new rule are travel agencies which facilitates the visas with UAE immigration authorities.

Said Malou Prado, CEO of MPQ Travel & Tourism: “Medyo pahirapan na ang pagpunta ngayon dito sa UAE ng mga Pilipino. Malaki ang impact sa aming mga travel agencies nito kasi wala nang masyadong magpapa-visa.”

Sid Rivera, marketing manager at Al Qadi Tourism, for his part, said what used to be required was a salary certificate. He said the new rule asks for an employment contract where the salary is indicated or a six-month pay slip.

Rivera said authorities have apparently learned lessons from the ongoing repatriations.

“They just want to make sure lang po talaga na if may kukunin ka na relatives sa Pilipinas, you can support them until the end,” Rivera said.

“Like what’s happening ngayon dito po sa UAE during this coronavirus period, may mga kamag-anak ang mga OFW na overstaying na or hindi na matulungan makauwi, that’s why lumapit sa consulate or embassy,” he added.

Rivera said the new requirement can also be a deterrent against human trafficking. “Maraming agency ang nagpepeke ng affidavit kaya pagdating nung tao  napapahamak kung hindi man na-offload sa airport sa Pilipinas,” he explained.

The new ASG requirements are as follows:

• Proof of relationship where an applicant can execute an affidavit to sponsor a relative only within the 1st and 2nd degree of consanguinity or affinity.
• Proof of income where the sponsor should show proof of income in the UAE based on the following thresholds:
  • Single person = AED10,000
  • Family of two = AED14,000 wherein family of two is either husband and wife or single parent and child
  • Family of four = AED18,000 wherein a family of four is husband and wife with two children or single parent with three children.
• Documentary requirements, in which, aside from the employment contract and six-month pay slip, the sponsor is also required to show tenancy contract as proof of accommodation under his or her name; or a hotel booking stating the visitor’s duration of stay as well as flight booking.
• Tourist visa issued by the UAE government.
• Residence visa of the sponsor.
• Trade license of the travel agency or the company facilitating the visitor’s tourist visa.

Birth and marriage certificates are also required.

There are approximately 750,000 documented OFWs in the UAE prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Close to 15,000 have been repatriated as of July, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. —KBK, GMA News