Jeddah, Nov 1: With the Nov. 3 deadline for work status correction rapidly approaching, many expats are now being told that they are required to report to the Passport Department with their previous sponsors to finalize procedures.
“I’ve taken the steps to correct my status with the Labor Ministry well within the window of time provided by the ministry. Yet I am now faced with the new requirement that my sponsor accompanies me,” said one Egyptian expat.
“I have tried to get my sponsor to come, as have many in my situation, but many sponsors simply refuse to show up. Some even resort to bribery. I’m not saying that all of them do this, but pursuing such a request is redundant. It’s an unfortunate waste of time and effort. I have repeatedly requested my sponsor’s attendance over the last four months to no avail.”
Expats must then file a summons or complaint order to their sponsor through the governorate. They must go through these motions three times before the Passport Department finalizes their exit procedures.
Fathi Ismail Hasanain, labor attaché at the Egyptian Consulate in Jeddah, ensures that the extension has greatly benefited expats.
“It has been a tremendous plus point for expats. The extension gave many another chance to sort out their status. But even with the extension, we may not have enough time to help our citizens, given the immense numbers we face at our consulate and embassy. We hope another extension will be considered. Three to six months is all that’s needed to see these matters through properly,” said Hasanain.
“The Passport Department has to realize that many of us have been entrenched in such requests for months now and we can prove it as well. In the end, we’re held accountable because of the sponsors’ noncompliance,” said another Egyptian expat.
Hasanain noted the consulate’s recognition of the ministry’s efforts, but emphasized that the Passport Department needs to increase the numbers of employees tending to expats and that the ministry should consider another extension.
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