Filipinos in Kuwait urged to get visa amnesty, rectify status penalty-free
MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos in Kuwait should take advantage of the visa amnesty program issued by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior and rectify their status without penalties, Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo said on Monday.
Salo in a statement said the visa amnesty program runs from March 17, 2024, to June 17, 2025, which gives Filipinos a chance to address expired visas and enable them to either stay or return home to the Philippines in a legal manner.
“This amnesty initiative by the Kuwait Ministry of Interior is a commendable step towards resolving the issues faced by our ‘kababayans’ whose visas have already expired,” Salo said.
“It provides a path for individuals to regularize their residency status or safely return to their home countries,” he added.
Salo said under the program, Filipinos whose visas have expired can legalize their residency by paying fines or exit Kuwait without penalties, which is important in giving a lifeline to Filipinos stranded in the country.
“We are actively coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers and OIC Secretary Hans Cacdac to assist Filipinos availing of this amnesty,” said Salo, who heads the House committee on overseas workers affairs.
“Our priority is to ensure their well-being and provide necessary support during this process,” he added. “I welcome this visa amnesty program and look forward to further collaboration and strengthening of ties between our countries.”
This is not the first time amnesty was given to Filipinos in Kuwait. In 2018, the Kuwaiti government gave a chance to undocumented and overstaying foreigners to address concerns and legalize their stay in the country.
Reports showed that over 3,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were able to return in the following months due to the amnesty program.
READ: Mga Pinoy sa Kuwait, sinulit ang amnesty na ibinigay sa mga undocumented workers
Salo said he will visit Kuwait from April 20 to 23, after the holy month of Ramadan, to answer queries from OFWs.
“My visit aims to assess the living conditions of Filipinos, aid in the bilateral discussions between our nations, and provide insights on lifting the ban,” he noted. —With reports from Ana Mae Malate, INQUIRER.net trainee
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