3000 overstaying Sri Lankans return during Saudi amnesty
Women and Media Collective
Wed, Jul 17, 2013, 11:26 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
July 17, Colombo: Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau says that 3,000 Sri Lankans have returned to the island during the amnesty period provided by the Saudi government for the overstaying foreigners.
The Bureau further said that the Saudi King has extended the amnesty period up to November 04 for undocumented migrant workers in the Kingdom to correct their status and the Sri Lankans can return home without any hindrance during this period. The amnesty period was to end on July 03 earlier.
Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau said that there is a delay in issuing the temporary visa for the overstaying foreigners to leave the country.
About 14,000 overstaying Sri Lankans have registered at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh expecting to return home.
During the amnesty period the overstaying Sri Lankans are asked to report to the Saudi Immigration and Emigration Department to obtain a pass to leave the country without being punished.
The Sri Lankan expatriate workers returning during the amnesty period can again go to Saudi Arabia for employment. However, those who fail to return or adjust visa status will have to pay fines and they can be subjected to sentences as well before deportation, the Bureau said.
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