DUBAI: At least 11 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning to Dubai have been denied entry over failure to secure the required prior approval from appropriate agencies of the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes, head of the Philippine mission in Dubai.
“There were 11. They have been flown back,” Cortes said, adding that the incident happened on Oct. 9, 2020.
The group was boarded on the next available flight, he said.
“Airline diligence dapat yan. The airline paid for their (OFWs’) return (flight). This was reason why we had to remind our kababayans,” Cortes said.
Following this, the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) issued an advisory telling OFWs returning to UAE through Dubai International Airport to secure approval from the concerned government agencies prior to departure from the Philippines to ensure re-entry.
Public Advisory 18-2020, issued Oct. 12, or three days after the indicent, stated that the approval can be obtained from Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) for those holding a Dubai-issued residence visa; or the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) for those whose visas were issued in any of the UAE’s six other emirates.
“Without approval to return to Dubai, you will not be allowed entry…,” the advisory further stated, apparently issued as more OFWs start coming back to the city with flights and Dubai airport operations gradually normalizing following eased restrictions.
The approval can be applied for online by visiting GDRFA website at https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae/Smart_OTCServivesPortal/ReturnPermitServiceForm.aspx, PCG said.
Those applying from ICA, it added, can visit http://uaeentry.ica.gov.ae
The Daily Bread 