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CONFUSION OVER NEW VISA FEE

Dubai is changing (UAE in general). New laws and regulations have to be implemented effective August 1, 2008. After its massive campaign on amnesty program last year that received only few feedbacks, since 70% of expatriates settling illegally in country, did not grab the bait.

The new hot issue nowadays is on the new VISA fees. The government has revised the visit visa fees and it will now cost AED 1,000.00 for a three month visa and AED 500.00 for a one month visa. Health insurance has also been made mandatory for visitors and a deposit of AED 1,000.00 also needs to be paid before visas are issued.

The increase in the fees for visit visas is shocking to a large number of expatriates who are already struggling with the rise in the cost of living in the country. Why should we pay so much money anyway if we are not getting extra services for paying the same? Surely, this will create an extra burden on families. It would also be difficult for low-income individuals to bring their families to the UAE. Not everybody is earning huge money here. Its big increase from AED100.00 to AED 500.00 seems unfair.

For a Filipino who wants to come in Dubai, this is not the right time. 30 days is not enough to get a job. What will you do if after 30 days you can’t find a job? Pack up and go back to the Philippines? How frustrating.

EMBRACING NIGHTLIFE IN DUBAI

PHILIPPINES, being a democratic country, blesses its people the full freedom to live. Filipinos have all the rights. They can do whatever they want. They can eat and drink whatever they like. And if they felt they are being deceived by the President, they can call for impeachment! Remember what happened to President Estrada? To some, Filipinos are nothing but arrogant and stupid people who love freedom no matter what it takes. But for the few, Filipinos are law abiding citizens. They might neglect and ignore their national laws but when it comes to the laws of the other countries they give them their due respect.

I can still clearly recall the first day I arrived in Dubai. That was summer, way back 2006. The air-condition unit in my cousin’s room was not functioning well. I could not keep myself but to perspire. Thinking that I could bring my body temperature to normal, I went outside the house wearing only a short (pants). I used to do this when I was in the Philippines.  Meanwhile, my cousin’s friend approached me. With a voice of authority, he was explaining to me that what I did was a “no-no” in this city. It was absolutely prohibited and if the police caught me I would surely end up in jail. This sounds exaggerating but this is the truth.

Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and is one of the country’s main cities. Sometimes it’s called “Dubai City”. A Distinguished city of the Emirates, it was incorporated (from a mere town into an emirate) on December 2, 1971. Dubai is a home of 2.2M people (according to 2008 survey) from different parts of the world comprising of 42.3% Indian, 17% Emirati, 13.3% Pakistani, 9.1% Arab (other), 7.5% Bangladeshi and 10.8% others.

Dubai has a diverse and multicultural society. The city’s cultural imprint as a small, ethnically homogenous pearling community was changed with the arrival of other ethnic groups and nationals – first by the Iranians in the early 1900s, and later by the Indians and Pakistanis in the 1960s. Despite the diversity of the population, only minor and infrequent episodes of ethnic tensions, primarily between expatriates, have been reported in the city.

Because Islam is the official religion and norms of Dubai, certain laws are strictly implemented to protect and preserve its culture against its expatriates. For instance, there is a special law governing the consumption of liquor and use of cigarettes. In spite of these laws, Dubai still has its best nightlife. As a matter of fact, the New York Times listed Dubai as its travel choice for partying in 2008. Clubs and bars are open until 2:00 o’clock in the morning where you can dance, drink and smoke freely. But take note. These clubs and bars are mostly found in hotels only due to the laws on liquor. And no one below 21 year-old is allowed. Unlike in the Philippines, overnight party in parks is not permitted.

THE STORY OF MY LIFE..LAST PART

My apology! I was so busy these days. Anyway, to continue my story… My first few days in Dubai were very critical. My cousin, Leonard, did not orient me the rules of Dubai when I was yet in the Philippines. I did not know that I only had two (2) months to stay in Dubai. Within that period, I must find an employer to sponsor my residence visa otherwise I should exit to the Philippines. Damn! This must be some kind of a joke. But it’s the law. If we wanted to stay legal in any foreign country we must abide the law of this foreign country. And this is what I have to do. I got only one purpose in coming here. And I only knew one best option to meet my goal. Dugo at pawis. Sipag at Tiyaga. Dapat meron tayo nito. I admit. In the beginning I did almost quit. The scorching hot of the sun seems to so unbearable. Huh! Its temperature is almost at its boiling point. Two degrees Celsius more nasa impiyerno na ako!

I forwarded hundreds of CV’s to various companies. But no one even tried to give me a beep confirming that they received my CV. Like any other jobseekers I could face serious competitions. To find a job was not easy. But I prepared myself not to be pessimistic. I have the reasons to be here. And I believe I have opportunities waiting to be discovered.

Five days later, one company called me for interview. After a few introductions about the company, though I have no idea what is the name of the company, its exact location, I said yes for the interview. To tell you, I have a problem understanding the English language of not pure English speaker. The guy who called me is a Jordanian. I am not saying I am excellent in English but really ours is much better than them. The only clear clue given to me was that after crossing the bridge I have to get down. And that’s what I actually did! When I saw a bridge I buzzed in and stepped out from the bus. This is a funny thing! I was not thinking that there are hundred of bridges in Dubai. An embarrassing mistake! It was too late to know that I was in the deserted place where no buildings, no offices but construction sites. What I am doing here? It seemed that everybody did not know the place I am heading to. I lost my hope and decided to get back to my cousin’s house. But, I could not get any ride. I also didn’t know where I am. Oh my God! How I wish I can find a good Samaritan. I continued to walk following the direction of the speeding cars. Mind you. It was 9:00 o’clock and the temperature was 52 degrees Celsius and nothing covered my head but a piece of a newspaper handed to me by my fellow I met in the bus. On the right side of the road, I saw a gasoline station. Maybe I can find somebody there to tell me where I am. God is good! My prayer was answered. A gasoline boy from Nepal whom at first I was thinking a Filipino (Nepali and Filipino have similar physical profiles) gave me my exact location. I am in the Emirates Road near a big water tank. After knowing my location an idea flashed in my mind. I scrolled down the numbers in my phone and called the guy who invited me for the interview. God is great! He received my call and asked what I was doing in that place. What I am doing here anyway? Is it not obvious, I was lost? He told me to stay and wait for few minutes because he’s coming to fetch me. After 20 minutes he arrived. Thanks God! He took me to his office and told me to wait for the general manager who will conduct the interview. I was thinking I was the only interviewee. There were more than 10 short listed applicants of different nationalities who came to apply for the position of an accountant. Experienced accountants. Fortunately, after the panel of interview I emerged as the best. No wonder the position was awarded to me. One of the interviewers confessed that I was the only applicant who asked for the lowest salary.

I don’t mind if I got only the lowest salary. Having a good boss who is totally different from the one I had, who told me I could not find a job if I left his company, is more than enough. My boss is very much particular with the time element. I am only working 8 hours a day, Sundays to Wednesdays.