The Makiav3llian Enchantment…

This document is subject to change. Last UPDATED Dec 10, 2007.

Basically before you can get here you will need to have authenticated documents. As far as I know the rules have changed again but I prefer to follow the straight line.

You will need the following:

1. Birth Certificate
2. Diploma and TOR
3. Marriage contract (if married)
4. Technical Certificates (Optional)

The Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate will need to be authenticated from the NSO.

The Diploma and TOR needs to be authenticated by your school and CHED.

I am uncertain about your technical documents but those need to be authenticated by TESDA. Most of the time this is not necessary but if you want to, you can ask where you can get that authenticated.

Once you have all of these documents authenticated by the proper bodies, you will them proceed to Malacanyang to have it attested. It will take you a maximum of 5 days to get that done and may cost you around 200 PhP all in all for the documents. It is just a stamp/seal. After you are through with this, you will proceed with the Department of Foreign Affairs to have them authenticated and I think the cost is around 50 PhP per document and will take around 2 weeks to get back. The line is very long there so I suggest you go there early.

Finally, the last thing to get in your way is the UAE Embassy located in Makati. This is the longest process as you will need at least 3 weeks to 1 1/2 month to get a reply. You will need to go to the LBC or FedEx office and get an application form to be sent to the UAE embassy (Philippines); in there you will insert your documents and will require a manager’s check amounting to 850PhP per document. You can submit only your diploma and marriage certificate is a must. If you know some one inside you can get it done quicker of course, but this is an under the table thing and definitely will cost more. You can actually head to Dubai and have that processed while you look for a job but better to have documents than none at all.

Once this is done, you are basically ready to go to Dubai. The only things you require are:

1. Visit Visa
2. Plane Ticket

I will be talking in Dirham (UAE currency, multiply by 11.3 to convert) now. A Visit Visa will cost around 900 Dhs and is good for two months. Should you not find a job in 2 months, you are required to "Exit" meaning you need to get out of the U.A.E. and get another visit visa issued. YOu must plan this 3 days before your actual last day, you will be fined 100 Dhs per excess day which you will have to pay before your exit. Since it would be more expensive to go back to the Phils and come back, people take the shortest route going to Kish Island (Iran) or Muscat (Oman). Trips to Kish Island with a new visit visa will cost you around 1250 Dhs - 1400 Dhs. You can never tell but most of the people here have been to Kish because sometimes the employers don’t give employment visa and just let the employee exit every two months, of course they will pay for the visa and trip (hopefully). Sometimes, transfer of visit visa to employment visa also requires a trip.

The next thing you need is plane ticket. You can canvass in the Phils but everyone usually flies through Cathay Pacific. Airlines that fly here are Thai Airways, Royal Brunei, Kuwait Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airlines and Philippine Airlines (through Emirates). The most expensive one is Emirates and all the agencies require you to buy a return ticket to the Philippines. Usually tell your travel reservation agent of your purpose to Dubai as they can issue an OPEN Return trip since you don’t know when you want to go home but the ticket life is around 6 months. If you do get a job you can get the ticket refunded, I am not certain if it can be done from here but usually they get he refund amount in the Phils. Cathay Pacific is the most feasible one as a lot of people travel through it. You can also choose Royal Brunei; it is the airlines usually taken in by Domestic Helpers. Ticket cost will vary and let us just say it will cost around 2600 Dhs for the ticket. If you are not interested in paying for a full trip, there is always a "Dummy Return" system where travel agents will book a full trip but you are actually paying for a one way (Manila - Dubai) trip and the return is actually a dummy which you will not be able to use. It costs less and is actually a better option, however, when there are big issues requiring you to go back home, you better have some bulk amount ready for your trip back.

Upon arrival, you will also need to think of the matter about getting accommodation. There are rooms available in Dubai but will cost you a minimum of 1500 Dhs for 2 people. It will have no bed or facilities. You will need your own stuff. There are also bed spaces or boarders where you share your room with other people. You can get them for a cost of around 400 Dhs, water and electricity not included. There are basic things available like TV, bed and cabinet, if you are lucky there is washing machine facilities, if not, you end up having an Indian guy wash and iron your clothes with other who-knows where they get the clothes from. AS for food, you will also be lucky if they have cooking facilities, other than that you can eat in a restaurant or there are these roving women selling Filipino food for 5Dhs only.

All in all, you need a minimum of around 150,000 Php to live comfortably in 4 months.