Saudi extends amnesty campaign for one month

Saudi Arabia has extended its amnesty programme for violators of residence and employment regulations for 30 days, it was announced late last week.

The programme allows those overstaying in Saudi without the right visas and documents to leave the country – at their own expense – without facing fines or penalties for violating the rules.

Those leaving under amnesty are also exempt from the ‘exit fingerprint’ requirement, and can return to the kingdom at a later date legally.

The programme applies to people of all nationalities.

The three-month campaign began on March 29, but Saudi’s General Directorate of Passports (GDP) confirmed on Thursday that it is being extended for another 30 days, effective from June 25.

In order to apply for the amnesty, workers must go on the Ministry of Interior’s website and book an appointment in the passport section using their residence ID and date of birth.

The GDP has completed preparations at all locations reserved for receiving violators in all regions and governorates of the kingdom and in coordination with the National Information Centre and concerned authorities, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, director of the GDP, urged all expatriate offenders who were unable to take the advantage of the previous deadline, to complete their departure procedures and report to the nearest reception spot.

In April, officials estimated that at least one million migrant workers were expected to leave Saudi Arabia under the three-month amnesty campaign.

Read more: At least 1 million expats expected to leave Saudi under amnesty campaign

In the first week after the programme’s launch, it was reported that up to 6,000 undocumented Pakistani nationals in Jeddah and Madinah sought assistance from their consulate, while more than 3,655 Indian workers applied for emergency certificates to leave the country.

Read more: Up to 6,000 Pakistanis apply for Saudi amnesty in Jeddah, Madinah alone

Saudi amnesty sees more than 3,600 Indians apply to leave the country

This is not the first time that Saudi Arabia has launched an amnesty campaign.

The country, which has a huge population of migrant workers, first launched the initiative in 2013.

More than 2.5 million visa violators left during that campaign, according to officials.