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Invitation letters set to replace affidavits

DUBAI — With the scrapping of the affidavit of support, it is likely that Filipinos travelling to the UAE on visit visas will be required to furnish invitation letters issued by travel agencies and their relatives in the UAE.

The invitation letters, along with valid passports, visit visas and return tickets, will be handed over to immigration officials at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) prior to departure.

“So far, there hasn't been any guideline to introduce an alternative requirement to replace the affidavit of support. This was one of the suggestions put forth by Captain Reynaldo Jaylo, the chief of the Presidential Task Force on Illegal Recruitment in Manila, during a recent conversation,” Jun Pestanas, general manager, Al Wasl Travels, disclosed yesterday.

If the invitation letters are set to replace the affidavit of support that was earlier a requirement imposed by the Bureau of Immigration, Filipinos travelling to the UAE on visit visas are assured of prompt and quick processing of documents without going through the hassle of producing additional documents other than the passport, visa and return ticket, Pestanas opined.

“I am not aware if Captain Jaylo had likewise spoken to the managers of the other travel agencies here in the UAE to discuss this proposal. He explained that requiring Filipinos to show invitation letters will be one way to ensure that they will be visiting the UAE only. However, the task force is aware that Filipinos on visit visas are keen on getting jobs in the UAE,” he told Khaleej Times.

As a result of the scrapping of the affidavit of document last year, a number of Filipinos who failed to show proof they were coming to the UAE as tourists were barred from travelling and were offloaded from their flights. Others alleged that they were victims of extortion by immigration and airport officials in Manila.

The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi suspended on October 30 last year the notarisation, attestation and processing of the affidavit of support for Filipinos travelling to the UAE on visit visas. The consular team hands out a copy of the public information bulletin as well as the memo signed by Philippine Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr instructing immigration officials to allow the departure of Filipinos who have valid passports, visas and return tickets.

Lorna Varona, Managing Director of Dubai-based travel agency Seaworld, said that the agency also provides the passenger copies of news items from the UAE and the Philippines regarding the suspension of the issuance of the affidavit of support.

“We have not encountered problems regarding the offloading of our passengers. Some are being harassed at the airport. Passengers have complained that they were asked to pay 4,000 to 6,000 pesos (Dh266 to Dh400) before airport officials allow them to board their flights,” she said.