Amnesty period for Hajj

Amnesty period for Hajj overstayers in Saudi Arabia extended until March 2012

The Embassy of the Philippines in Riyadh said the amnesty period for those who have overstayed their hajj, umrah, and visit visas has been extended to March 9 this year.

On January 2 this year, the Embassy received Diplomatic Note No. 8/4/365161 dated December 25, 2011, stating the Royal approval of the extension period for amnesty for violations of hajj, umrah and visit visas for another six months starting September 14, 2011.

The embassy advised all concerned Filipinos who have overstayed their hajj, umrah or visit visa to avail of the amnesty.
The Note did not include any mention of those with expired iqamas; those who came to the Kingdom for employment with a sponsor and have stayed beyond the validity of their iqama; or those who absconded from their original
employer and seek repatriation.

Absconding workers or “TNTs” are not included in the Royal Pardon or “Amnesty,” the embassy said.

According to the authorities, all overstaying nationals, including those availing of the Royal Pardon, will be blacklisted from returning to the Kingdom.

Overstaying foreign nationals will also be apprehended after the deadline will be required to pay a heavy penalty
and may be subject to imprisonment.

The Embassy advises all Filipinos against dealing with “fixers” of any nationality, who claim that they could facilitate repatriation in exchange for fees.

All concerned Filipinos are advised to proceed to the Saudi Immigration Office (Jawazat) in their region and complete the processing of their repatriation as soon as possible and before the deadline on March 9, 2012. - VVP, GMA News