Last Three Days for Undocumented OFWs in Kuwait to Register for Repatriation
08 April 2018 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs today issued an urgent reminder to undocumented Filipinos in Kuwait that they only have three days left to register themselves for repatriation.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola appealed to the remaining 6,000 undocumented Filipinos in Kuwait to register themselves with the Philippine Embassy in the next three days to avoid possible arrest and detention.
“We appeal to our kababayans in Kuwait to heed our advice and register for repatriation as soon as possible,” Undersecretary Arriola said as she warned that undocumented Filipinos who stay beyond the amnesty program will be arrested, detained, and deported by Kuwaiti authorities.
“Our overstaying kababayans in Kuwait should know that as soon as the amnesty is over, they could be arrested and jailed for immigration violations. This is why they have to take advantage of the amnesty offer so we could immediately bring them home,” Undersecretary Arriola said.
According to the Undersecretary, the Embassy has so far repatriated at government expense 3,930 of the 8,727 Filipinos who Kuwaiti authorities said are staying in the Gulf state illegally since the amnesty and repatriation programs started on 29 January and 11 February 2018 respectively.
She said another 720 Filipino workers are scheduled to be repatriated in the next two weeks while several more are being processed by additional personnel that were deployed to Kuwait to assist in the repatriation effort.
The Undersecretary said that in addition to airfare, the government is also providing transportation to the home provinces of those being repatriated as well as financial assistance, training and help in finding work when they return to the country.
Undersecretary Arriola explained that although the Kuwaiti amnesty offer will end on 22 April, undocumented Filipinos must not wait until the last minute and must register by 12 April as it takes 10 days for the Embassy to process their exit requirements.
Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa echoed Undersecretary Arriola’s appeal as he urged his undocumented constituents to seriously consider the amnesty offer and request for repatriation.
“As soon as the extension of the amnesty program ends on April 22, we should expect Kuwaiti authorities to launch a crackdown against foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas,“ the envoy said.
“The amnesty is the best and quickest way for our overstaying kababayans to go home and be reunited with their loved ones in the Philippines,” he added.
Ambassador Villa said he has requested the assistance of members of the Filipino Community in Kuwait in convincing undocumented Filipinos to register immediately. END