Saudi illegal migrant workers get amnesty

Sri Lankan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia who do not posses valid visas have been advised to leave the country before the declared deadline of the amnesty period, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

The general amnesty that was granted to illegal migrant workers in Saudi Arabia will reach its ultimatum on 25 June 2017.

The Saudi Government has announced that any illegal migrant workers who remains in the country after the declared period will be arrested and deported, suspending re-entry. Furthermore, the Saudi Government has announced that there will be no extension to the declared period.

All Sri Lankan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia who do not posses valid visas are advised to leave that country before the declared deadline of the amnesty period. They will be eligible to enter Saudi Arabia with legal visas if they report to the relevant authorities prior to 25th June 2017. Starting Wednesday, undocumented workers in Jeddah and Makkah can go to Al-Shumaisi’s branch of the Passport Department, located on the Jeddah-Makkah expressway, to finalise their departure procedures. Al-Shumaisi is one of many centres that will implement the 90-day campaign, which will include all provinces.

The initiative was granted by the Interior Ministry for undocumented workers to correct their status and leave the country without penalties.

Those who overstay the 90-day grace period will risk paying fines. Violating the residency system entails deportation, a prison sentence and fines. The fine can range from SR 15,000 ($ 4,000) to SR 100,000.

Those who have overstayed their visas for Haj, Umrah, a visit or transit should go directly to a border point with a valid passport and confirmed travel tickets. If an Absent from Work (Escape or Huroob) notice has been issued, the violator will need to finalise the procedures at the local Expats Affairs Administration first.

Employers of holders of expired ‘Resident Identity’ (Iqama) who did not renew them before the announcement date of the campaign (19 March) shall issue a ‘final exit’ visa online after paying all due fees and fines. Illegal workers should then leave the country.

Pilgrims who entered the country illegally should refer to the local Expat Affairs Administration to obtain a ‘Final Exit’ visa before going to the designated passport centre with their valid passport.

Illegal workers with valid Iqama IDs but who work for different employers or are self-employed and have an Absent from Work (escape) notice, should refer to the local Labour Disputes Committee to obtain a ‘Proof of Status’ directed to the GDP. They should then refer to the local Expats Affairs Administration to obtain a ‘Final Exit’ visa with their passport and Iqama ID before leaving the Saudi Arabia.

Workers for an employer in the Red Zone, whose company has more non-Saudi employees than Saudi nationals, should contact the Labour Ministry to obtain a temporary work permit before going to the local Passport Department with their passport and Iqama ID to get a ‘Final Exit’ visa and leave the country.

According to the campaign, workers can return to the country on condition they pursue legal methods to gain entry.

A similar campaign took place in 2013 to legalise the status of undocumented workers. A 90-day amnesty was announced in April 2013 before the late King Abdullah extended the grace period to November 2013.

More than 2.5 million violators left the country as part of that campaign.