MANILA – A total of 707 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and 49 dependents from the United Arab Emirates have been repatriated under an amnesty program, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Friday.
On Friday, the 11th batch of Filipino repatriates under the UAE amnesty program, consisting of 49 OFWs and two dependents, landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Parañaque City aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 659.
The DMW called on overstaying Filipinos in the UAE to avail of the amnesty program until December 31.
The program began on September 1 and was supposed to end on October 31. Migrant groups appealed for the extension.
The UAE amnesty program waives fines and penalties and allows overstaying Filipinos and other expatriates to leave the country without facing legal repercussions.
It does not cover those with pending criminal cases.
They can reenter the country in the future provided they have the appropriate visa.
The program applies to all visa types, including tourist and expired residency visas.
Children born in the UAE without proper documentation can also benefit from the program. (PNA)