The United Arab Emirates Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship recently announced they would be extending their amnesty program for those in the country illegally or have overstayed their visa.

The program was originally scheduled to end on October 31.

According to a report by UAE-based Khaleej Times, the government agency plans to address issues that may have arisen due to delays from technical issues at the start of the process by extending the program by one month.

The program allows for those who have overstayed their visas to leave the country or, for those currently employed, apply for a new visa. Those who correct their status and wish to remain in the country to seek new employment may be granted a six-month temporary visa.

However, those who entered the country illegally will be allowed to exit but will be penalized with a two-year entry ban.

Yesterday, the Department of Foreign Affairs expressed their appreciation for the extension on social media, urging all overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in such situations to take advantage of the program.

The program has since repatriated over 2,000 OFWs back to the Philippines./WDJ