Filipinos in Saudi Arabia are advised to be mindful of the validity period of their passports.
Consul RJ Sumague of the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah told overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the kingdom who have a passport with validity of less than nine months to file for renewal the soonest time possible.
Sumague said that they have received information that Saudi General Directorate for Passport (Jawazat) no longer recognizes extension stamps.
“Kung ang passport niyo ay may siyam na buwan na lang ang natitira bago mag-expire ay kailangan na po niyo itong i-renew para hindi kayo magahol sa oras,” Sumague said.
He said passport renewal could last up to 45 days.
“Mayroon na po tayong mga kababayan na may extension ng passport ang nagsabi sa amin na hindi sila pinayagan sa immigration makauwi,” Sumague added.
As of the moment, the Philippine Consulate General in the port city is not implementing the appointment system. Applicants are being accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
