Press Release No. 85-2012
27 May 2012
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh is assisting an ailing 65-year old Filipino in securing an exit visa and will continue to provide assistance until his repatriation
On 08 May 2012, the Embassy received reports of that 65-year old Nemesio Valencia presented himself at the Deportation Center in Riyadh and was requesting to be deported. He was refused by Deportation authorities, as he was unable to provide information about his sponsor and did not obtain a release from the latter.
According to Mr. Valencia, he arrived in Saudi Arabia in 1989 and absconded from his sponsor after three years of employment. He had since worked illegally in the Kingdom. His Saudi residence permit (iqama) expired in 2002. He only sought the assistance of Embassy in May 2012.
Through representations by the Embassy with the Saudi Immigration authorities, it was ascertained that Mr. Valencia had incurred a penalty of Saudi Riyals 8,000 for the non-renewal of his iqama.
On 17 May 2012, the Embassy also issued a guarantee letter addressed to Saudi Immigration authorities for the immediate repatriation of Mr. Valencia; however, the guarantee letter was declined.
The Embassy immediately sought the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs for the payment of not only of Mr. Valencia’s immigration penalties, but also for purchase of a plane ticket to the Philippines. On 22 May 2012, the Embassy was authorized to pay Mr. Valencia’s immigration penalties for the non-renewal of his iqama for the past ten years. Funding for Mr. Valencia’s penalties were sourced from the DFA’s Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Fund.
On 27 May 2012, Embassy and POLO officials accompanied Mr. Valencia to the Deportation Office for fingerprinting. Mr. Valencia’s exit visa will be issued once all the requirements are complied with. The Embassy will also book a flight for Mr. Valencia for him to go home in the soonest possible time.
All Filipinos in the Kingdom are again reminded to immediately report to the Embassy and POLO Offices in the Kingdom complaints against employers so that the appropriate assistance may be extended, including the filing of appropriate cases with the Saudi Labor Office. ###
