Saudi Arabia extends ‘Royal Amnesty’ to overstaying Filipinos
08/30/2011Filipinos who are overstaying after performing “Umrah,” a form of pilgrimage, are given until Sept. 14 to leave Saudi Arabia, the largest Islamic state in the Middle East and where the two Holy Mosques are located, without being penalized, according to a Filipino migrants right group.
Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said last April 27 the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that a Royal amnesty was granted to expatriates who have violated residency rules and overstayed as reflected on their ‘umrah’ visas on Sept. 22, 2010 for a period of six months or up to March 23, 2011. This has been extended up to Sept. 14, 2011.
“Filipinos who were overstaying after performing ‘Umrah’ have barely 15 days to avail themselves of the Royal pardon. They could leave Saudi Arabia without any corresponding penalty, monetary and weeks of detention at the deportation center till Sept. 14,” Monterona added.
Monterona said overstaying Filipinos can directly proceed to any Saudi international airports and will only be required by Saudi immigration authorities to present his or her passport along with the expired ‘umrah’ visa and airplane ticket..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110830nat6.html
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