Flight arrangements are being made to repatriate the remaining 500 Filipinos overstaying in Jeddah, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah booked 200 Filipinos to be repatriated in the coming weeks. The remaining 300 will follow.

As of May 8, the Philippine Consulate assisted in the repatriation of 972 Filipinos. They are part of the 1,160 Filipinos staying at the Consulate-operated Hajj Terminal facility since January 24.

Overstaying Filipinos in Saudi Arabia were sheltered at the Hajj Terminal while awaiting their tickets and exit papers.

“Unfortunately, this special arrangement may be stopped as the Saudi authorities stated that they would only resume admission of overstayers once Filipinos who have camped out in a lot adjacent to the Consulate return to the Hajj Terminal,” the Consulate said.

The Consulate has constantly urged the Filipinos camped at the vacant lot beside the Consulate to return to the Hajj Terminal so as not to hamper the terminal operations.

Earlier in February, Saudi immigration authorities stated it will no longer make any pick-up at any point other than the Hajj Terminal.

The arrangement with the Saudi authorities for the Hajj Terminal is as follows:

Filipinos who overstayed in Saudi and who would like to go home are asked to register at the Consulate. Individuals who are out of status are violating local laws and face deportation proceedings before they can return home.

Filipinos at the Terminal who have a confirmed ticket and a valid travel document provided by the Consulate are taken by the Saudi Jawazat (immigration authorities) to the Deportation Center where they will undergo investigation, have their exit visas processed and stamped and wait for their flight to the Philippines.