Saudi Arabia extends amnesty for illegally staying foreigners anew


Saudi Arabia has extended anew its amnesty program for undocumented migrants, giving Filipinos illegally staying in the Kingdom more time to return home without facing sanctions.
A news release from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), citing the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, said the second extension of the amnesty will last up to October 15, 2017.
The embassy was notified of the extension on September 25.
Qualified to avail of the amnesty are:
1. those with expired umrah, hajj and visit visas
2. pilgrims without hajj permits
3. those who have crossed the border into the Kingdom without permits
4. residents with expired residence ID card (iqama)
5. workers with work permits but with no iqama
6. workers who have been declared absconding (huroob) by their
employers/sponsors
The Saudi government first implemented a 90-day amnesty program in March 2017
that was then extended when it lapsed in June.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), a total of 8,467 undocumented Filipinos already availed of the initial amnesty offer.
The Philippine Embassy, meanwhile, is urging all Filipinos illegally staying in the Kingdom and who qualify for the extended amnesty to immediately avail of amnesty to avoid being arrested, detained and made to pay corresponding penalties by the Saudi government. —KBK, GMA News

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