Kabayan! That is the usual tawagan of the Filipinos who bump to each other here in Dubai. You need not to know the name of the other Filipinos, just say Kabayan and for sure that Filipino will turn his head. When I first arrived in Dubai, I find it a bit corny. Ang jollogs naman,sana may iba na pwede pang itawag. But after some time, I realized its not that bad. It is actually relieving in some scenarios where you find yourself sorrounded by other nationalities which will make your nose bleed to death…oops don’t get me started, where is my hanky anyway? So let me go on with the topic that I know for sure would help some of my Kababayan who is planning to venture in the city that cares, Dubai….(By the way this is purposely made for my friends who are planning to come here...)
Authenticated DocumentsIn order to be provided with an employment visa in UAE( lets say you found a nice paying job), the employer will be required to submit your Authenticated Diploma and Transcript of Records (TOR) by UAE goverment. How to process your authenticated documents? Follow these steps:- CHED (For college level ) / Department of Education (For Highschool level) - 1 - 2 Weeks for processing, Cost depends upon your school
- Malacanang - 150 , 1 day release only
- DFA - 250, 3 days release
- DHL for UAE Embassy Authentication - 3 weeks
It is advisable to complete the documents first before venturing in UAE to avoid further hassle. If in case the paper is already in UAE Embassy, it would be ok to come here and start searching for work and just ask your relatives to send it to you once documents are sent to your specified address. Visa
How can I apply for a visit visa and how much would it cost ?
Find yourself a friend or someone you can trust who can help you buy a visa with ticket in Dubai. The cost will depend upon who is your connection in getting it. Of course it is better to find someone who is already in Dubai as chances are they would give you better prices. Beware of illegal recruiters,illegal agencies, and other kind of monkeys na paligid ligid! Just please bear in mind, it shouldn’t be more than 100,000 bucks. Until now it is only valid for 2 months.
What are the requirements in applying for a visit visa?
Passport copy is the only requirement from you for a visa and of course the passport copy and visa page copy of the person sponsoring you. If you approach an agency, more or less they wouldn’t give you any supporting papers that our Immigration Department requires.
How long would it take before it gets approved?
It depends upon the day the application has been submitted. Saturday is the first working day of the Government here, if your papers are in by Saturday,by Sunday afternoon the visa will come out and another day or two to send it to the Philippines. So what the heck, give it a 5 working day allowance, or a week to be exact. Do not rush the person you ask to apply for it, specially if it is just your friend and your asking the favor! The person has a life too you know? But if it is an agency, it would be advisable to give them a call every hour after paying. Haha
After receiving my visa, what else should I prepare?
You have to make sure you prepare the following:
1. Accomodation – San ka titira? May visa ka nga, wala ka palang bahay! Hahaha! Kidding aside, if you ask a friend to apply for the visa, ask her also for help in finding one. If you are single and you will be going here alone, the advisable accom is a Bed Space, which would cost 500 -600 Dhs (Conversion rate: 1 Dhs app = 15 Php) without water and electricity. The payment scheme here is usually 1 Month Advance and Elec and Water Deposit , say 700 Dhs , say 10,500 Php. Other landlords acccept with only 1 month advance, some not everyone! As adviced by one of my friend who went here this should be outside of your allocated budget for a month! Writing about budget…errr next number please…. Oops before I forget to those who are buying the visa from an agency, be careful they might also ask you to pay for an accomodation that they promised with this and that. Be wise, the receipt you have from the Philippines is not valid in Dubai, so in case the accomodation isnt real, you cant get hold of the agency anymore!
2. Budget :
a. Food – I say 500 Dhs app = 7,500 Php is enough for 1 normal person who eats 3 meals a day and about 2 snacks. Fast food chains and coffe shops such as Starbucks are out of this budget please!
b. Accomodation – As discussed above, 700 Dhs = 10,500 Php for a bed space per month.
c. Transportation- Mind you there is a 100 Dhs app = 1,500 Php card ride all you can for a month in Dubai Transport, the public transport system here. This is practical put it in your list!
d. Sim Card is 165 Dhs app = 2,500 Php
e. Mobile Load for a month maybe 100 Dhs = 1,500 Php, this depends on your usage.
f. Etc- Of course you have to buy some things you cant bring from the Philippines! They only allow 25 Kgs baggage limit and 10 Kgs Hand Carry,is it right Cathay Pacific?
If its not too much to ask, please compute for yourself, I already gave the approximate amount. You know how often you used your mobile credit so the cost would depend on yourself. Not to mention the food, you don’t want to be hungry in Dubai! Don’t forget the things you need to buy from here.
3. CV , This is if your planning to come over here to find a nice job. Impressive CV is all you need. Yep if your well experienced and above 20, you shouldn’t find a problem in finding a nice paying job. Print 100 copies CV with your smartest picture in it! Mas mura sa atin magprint,wag ng matigas ang ulo! Just leave some space for your address here and the mobile number. Do not put your mobile number from the Philippines even if its roaming. No employer would call if your mobile number is not in Dubai. And remember you will be coming in using Visit visa, please keep your CV’s in your baggage and not in your hand carry, why? See next number
4. Immigration Speech – I really don’t get it but our Immigration Department in the Philippines is giving the Filipino’s who are leaving the country using Visit visa a hard time. They are a pain in the @*&** Make sure you prepare yourself
for the Q & A such as
i. Why are you going in Dubai?
ii. Where are you going to stay?
iii. When are you coming back?
iv. Who is sponsoring you?
v. What is your relationship?
vi. You are going to find a job isnt it? Isnt it?
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr….What the f^%^ should they care? As long as the visa is valid and your supporting papers are presented (this one is really not required,etching lang pero hinihingi ng mga $#@%$#) , they don’t have the right to stop you from leaving! Just to be sure, practice all the answers to the above, and expect the unexpected ! Look smart, taas ang isang kilay kung babae ka, and speak in English if your fluent. Let me quote one of my friend’s line : “ Ang unang matakot, talo. “
Im kinda tired in typing, I think I will rest for now. If there is anything I didnt mention that you think I should, please let me know.
Im not one of them (hehe) Physically like and in shallah (hopefully) emotionally as well. One time my best friend and I were chatting, I asked her “do you watch that funny series of desperate housewives?” Instead of giving a yes or a no she replied with a crack saying “ First you fell in love with Sex and The City, now your into Desperate Housewives, whats next ? Fucking Lola?” And we both laugh our hearts out.
