MANILA, Philippines — Saudi Arabia is offering a 90-day amnesty to undocumented overseas Filipino workers and other foreign residents who want to return to their countries of origin.
Assistant Secretary Hjayceelyn Quintana of the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that OFWs who are having problems with their employers and those who overstayed their visas may avail of the amnesty which started on March 29.
"There's an ongoing amnesty in Saudi Arabia... There are about 15,000 Filipinos that are qualified to avail of that amnesty," Quintana said.
She added that those who avail of the relief do not have to pay penalties or exit fees. They may even be allowed to return though only on a legal working visa.
The amnesty will favor those who have undocumented children and their mothers.
"I think the humanitarian aspect of that amnesty program, that could also be beneficial for some of these people," Quintana said.