Video: 53-year-old illegal UAE expat to finally see child after 3 years

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Video: 53-year-old illegal UAE expat to finally see child after 3 years

Dubai - She couldn't afford the overstay fine of Dh15,000 for staying illegally for three years.

By Kelly Clarke

Published: Thu 2 Aug 2018, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Tue 14 Aug 2018, 3:35 PM

At 11am on Wednesday morning, Filipino expatriate Ana Almosa broke down in tears as she finally got the news she has been waiting for since 2015.
"I can go back home. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
During an emotional chat with Khaleej Times, the 53-year-old - who said she only heard about the amnesty on Tuesday - has been living in the UAE since 2008; but she's been residing illegally in the country for three years.
Live: After years of illegal stay in UAE, hundreds seek amnesty
"I worked in a beauty salon between 2008 to 2015, but my contract ended in 2015. I kept searching for work as a housemaid or nanny, but because my experience is only in salons, I had no luck."
With no steady income and no money to pay for an air ticket back home, Almosa said she had no choice but to stay. And that also meant not knowing when she would see her only child again.

53-year-old Filipina expat Ana Almosa is one of the many female amnesty seekers looking to get an outpass at the Al Awir Immigration tent on Wednesday.
Video by Kelly Clarke/ Khaleej Times
Details: https://t.co/sLWZxzaK34 pic.twitter.com/4kJS2eZr1Z
- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) August 1, 2018

For three years now, Almosa has been moving from place to place, renting a bed space where she can. Surviving on cash and food donations from the generosity of past clients during her days as a beautician, she said her tears on Wednesday were of "utter relief".
"When I heard about the amnesty, I thought 'thank god'. I came quickly here this morning. It has been a tough few years, but now finally I can go back home."
Just two days ago, the mother-of-one checked what the status of her overstay fines were and was told she had Dh15,000 outstanding against her name; a sum she "simply could not afford".
But after arriving at the Al Aweer Immigration tent at 9am on Wednesday morning - one hour after the official three-month amnesty launched - within two hours she received "great news".
"All my overstay fines have been waived. I can't thank the UAE enough for this amnesty. I can start my life back home again."
After registering at the dedicated centre and filling in her paperwork for an outpass, all Almosa has to do now is buy her air ticket home.
"I don't want to wait around for donations. I have a small amount saved which should pay for my flight. I'll buy the ticket today, then I'll come back and show it to them. They told me the departure date has to be after 10 days from now, so anytime after August 11 or 12. Then I can finally go back to the Philippines and see my child." kelly@khaleejtimes.com