Undocumented OFWs in Kuwait told to register for repatriation

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday appealed to the remaining 6,000 undocumented Filipinos in Kuwait to register 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,” said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for migrant workers affairs Sarah Lou Arriola.

Overstaying Filipinos in Kuwait should know that as soon as the amnesty is over, they could be arrested and jailed for immigration violations, Arriola added.

“This is why they have to take advantage of the amnesty offer so we could immediately bring them home,” she said.

She explained that although the Kuwaiti amnesty offer will end on April 22, undocumented Filipinos must not wait until the last minute and must register by April 12 as it takes 10 days for the embassy to process their exit requirements.

Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa urged undocumented OFWs 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,“Villa said.

The government has so far repatriated 3,930 of the 8,727 Filipinos who Kuwaiti authorities said are illegally staying in the Gulf state. The amnesty and repatriation programs started on Jan. 29 and Feb. 11, respectively.

Another 720 Filipino workers are scheduled to be repatriated in the next two weeks while more are being processed by DFA personnel deployed to Kuwait to help in the repatriation effort.

In addition to free air fare, the government is also providing transportation to the home provinces of those being repatriated as well as financial assistance, training and work when they return to the country.