Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Indian Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao has discussed issues relating to the welfare of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia with Deputy Minister of Labor Mufarrej Haqbani. During a meeting at the Labor Ministry in Riyadh on Monday, the ambassador welcomed the Saudi government's decision to give a three-month grace period for expatriates to legalize their stay in the country. Rao said the embassy has initiated various steps to help the Indian workers to effectively use the grace period. The measures include initial legal assistance in deserving cases. The embassy continues to receive applications from Indian nationals for emergency certificates (ECs) and for taking up their cases with the Saudi authorities for final exit, a statement said on Wednesday. It said emergency travel documents will be issued to the applicants only after the Saudi authorities have agreed to grant them permission for final exit. The embassy will announce updates in this regard through the media. The statement urged all Indian nationals wanting to leave Saudi Arabia on final exit, but does not have valid travel and residency documents, to register with the embassy so that their cases can be taken up with the Saudi authorities within the framework of the Kingdom's laws. They may also send filled applications for ECs along with copies of passports or any other document to establish their Indian nationality by post/courier to the EC Section, Embassy of India, B-1 Diplomatic Quarter, PO Box 94387, Riyadh 11693. The embassy is currently making a panel of reputable legal firms to assist the Indian nationals in regularizing their iqama status. The embassy has also invited Saudi law firms to provide initial legal assistance in deserving cases to Indians in jails or detention centers and others who are in dire need of such assistance.
