Pinoys with expired visa in Kuwait urged to avail of amnesty program

Filipinos in Kuwait are urged to avail of the Kuwaiti government's visa amnesty program, an initiative that allows those with expired visas to regularize their stay or leave without paying penalties.

"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," Kabayan party-list Representative Ron Salo said in a statement on Monday.

The program, which runs from March 17 to June 17 this year, also allows those with expired visas to have the option of legalizing their residency by paying fines.

Salo said his office is coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to assist concerned Filipinos in Kuwait to avail of the amnesty. 

"Our priority is to ensure their well-being and provide necessary support during this process," he said.

The Philippines has imposed a deployment ban in Kuwait  for first time household service workers in February 2023 following the killing of 35-year-old overseas Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara.

Ranara's killer has since been sentenced to spend 15 years in prison by the Kuwaiti juvenile court, a decision that was upheld by the Kuwaiti appellate court. 

In the same statement, Salo said that he will visit Kuwait on April 20 to 23, or after the Muslims’ holy month of Ramadan, to talk to Kuwaiti authorities about the current deployment ban.

"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 said. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA Integrated News