For someone who has sold almost everything, has worked odd jobs just to survive, and has lost friends along the way, the amnesty is a “blessing in disguise”. This is how Filipino expatriate Miguel feels now just days away from the start of the three-month amnesty that will begin in the UAE on August 1.
Miguel, 40, (not his real name) has been in the UAE for 13 years, two years of which he stayed as an illegal after his employer failed to apply for his visa despite his numerous promises.
The last time he checked two months ago, Miguel had racked up more than Dh73,000 in overstay fines.
“I live alone with two dogs, but my dogs have a better legal status than I do because they have the right paperwork,” Miguel, who works in sales, told Gulf News with a chuckle.
Aside from not getting a visa from his company, Miguel has also not got a proper salary for nine months.
“Sometimes he’d pay us Dh1,500 for a month. And that’s not enough for my living expenses. But I trusted him because he kept reassuring us that he can fix our visa status and we have nothing to worry about,” Miguel said.
One by one, Miguel’s payments became overdue. A rental company filed a case against him and a bank followed suit. The travel agency that issued his tourist visa also filed an absconding case. Based on his last check, he has outstanding dues of Dh11,000.
Many companies offered to hire him but backed out after finding out his residency status.
“This amnesty is a blessing in disguise. If I am not able to fix this during the amnesty now, my overstay fines will balloon even further and it will be impossible for me to pay it,” he said.
“I helped a lot of friends over the years. But I have lost a lot of friends since my ordeal began. Nobody wants to open their doors to me anymore or lend a hand. Some even suggested for me to run away or just surrender myself and suffer in prison. I never looked at it that way.”
A photography enthusiast, Miguel survived by offering photography services. But some clients often shortchanged him knowing he wouldn’t be able to file a complaint because he is an illegal.
He sold his last camera accessory last week, giving them for cheap. He has also sold some personal stuff, apart from taking jobs as a dog trainer.
“Either I keep my fees or prices low or I’ll lose the client. I can’t afford the latter as I need every single penny I could get.” Miguel said there is a company that is willing to gamble on him and sees him as worth their investment. He, however, will have to clear his name first to be able to rectify his visa status.
“I don’t think surrendering or going home will change things. I want to take my one last ride in the UAE and this amnesty proves that this is God’s opportunity for me. There is always hope if we have faith in God.”
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