Emergency Consular Services in UAE 2026
If you are a Filipino citizen in the UAE facing an emergency, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai provide 24/7 assistance. This page covers emergency contacts, what the embassy can help with, OWWA shelter information, and step-by-step guidance.
Emergency Contacts
Embassy Abu Dhabi:
+971 2 449 1800
+971 2 449 1800
Consulate Dubai:
+971 4 355 2685
+971 4 355 2685
UAE Emergency:
Police: 999 | Ambulance: 998
Police: 999 | Ambulance: 998
What the Embassy Can Help With
Lost or Stolen Passport
- File a police report at the nearest UAE police station
- Contact the embassy/consulate with the police report
- Apply for an Emergency Travel Document (AED 40) or expedited passport
- ETD can be issued within 1-3 working days
Arrest or Detention
- Right to consular notification and access
- Embassy will visit detained Filipinos
- Assistance with legal representation referrals
- Communication with family in the Philippines
- Monitoring of case and treatment
Hospitalisation & Medical Emergency
- Hospital visits by consular staff
- Help contacting family members
- Assistance with medical evacuation if needed
- OWWA medical assistance claims
Death of a Filipino Abroad
- Assistance with documentation and death certificate
- Coordination of repatriation of remains
- OWWA death benefit claims (up to PHP 200,000)
- Help with insurance and employer obligations
OWWA Assistance for Distressed OFWs
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) provide critical welfare services for OFWs in the UAE:
Shelter for Distressed Workers
The embassy and consulate maintain shelters for Filipinos who have escaped abusive employers, particularly domestic workers. The shelter provides:
- Temporary accommodation and meals
- Counselling and welfare support
- Legal assistance and case filing
- Repatriation assistance when ready
- Coordination with POLO for labour cases
OWWA Benefits You Can Claim
- Repatriation assistance: Free flight home for distressed workers
- Medical assistance: Up to PHP 50,000 for hospitalisation abroad
- Death benefit: PHP 200,000 to beneficiaries
- Disability benefit: PHP 50,000-100,000
- Education assistance: Scholarships for OFW dependents
- Skills training: Free livelihood courses
If you are being abused by your employer: Contact the embassy immediately. It is illegal for employers in the UAE to confiscate your passport. You have the right to leave an abusive situation. The embassy will help you.
Labour Disputes
If you are having problems with your employer in the UAE, the embassy can help:
- Non-payment of salary: POLO can mediate with your employer. If unresolved, file a complaint with the UAE Ministry of Human Resources (MOHRE).
- Contract substitution: If your actual work conditions differ from your contract, report to POLO immediately.
- Passport confiscation: This is illegal in the UAE. Report to police and the embassy.
- Physical or verbal abuse: Contact police (999) first, then the embassy for consular assistance and shelter.
- Illegal recruitment: Report to POLO and file a case with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Frequently Asked Questions
First, file a police report at the nearest UAE police station. Then contact the Philippine Embassy (Abu Dhabi) or Consulate (Dubai) with your police report. You can get an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) within 1-3 days for AED 40, or apply for a new passport.
Yes. The Philippine Embassy and Consulate maintain shelters for distressed Filipino workers, particularly domestic workers. You will receive temporary accommodation, meals, counselling, and legal assistance. Contact the embassy or consulate at any time to seek help.
Contact the embassy immediately. They will assist with documentation, death certificate authentication, repatriation of remains, OWWA death benefit claims (PHP 200,000), and coordination with the employer and insurance. The embassy can also help notify family in the Philippines.