Hundreds of Egyptians are visiting their consulate every day to seek consular services for legalization or repatriation before the July 3 deadline.

Egyptian nationals from rural areas in Egypt have been showing up at the consulate with their baggage over the last two days demanding repatriation.

There are approximately 30,000 Egyptian workers in Jeddah and Riyadh approaching their diplomatic missions every day, the vast majority of them runaways who are now seeking to legalize their work status under new employers. This figure is expected to rise as the deadline approaches.

The situation at the Egyptian Consulate in Jeddah remains bearable in comparison with the consulates of South Asian countries, which have come to a standstill under the pressure of huge crowds of amnesty seekers.

Meanwhile, several workers were reportedly sent back from King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh to the Egyptian Embassy in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarters due to incomplete paperwork.

In addition, Egyptian staff working in outstations have been approaching the area around the consulate with their luggage and living in parking areas near the consulate demanding that they be sent back to their home country without having to go through mandatory local formalities.

This new trend, albeit minor, has added considerable pressure on Egypt officials in Jeddah.

Egyptian Consul General Adel Al-Alfi has met with high-ranking Saudi officials, including Minister of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Naif, requesting that the Saudi government expedite the repatriation process.

Egyptians expatriates have been visiting deportation centers throughout the week to record their biometrics in spite of the fact that there are specific days being allocated according to nationality. The Egyptian Consulate has assigned a consul exclusively for the assistance of its nationals at the center.

With only a few being able to receive exit stamps on their travel documents from passport officials at the deportation center, the vast majority who return unsuccessful are demanding an explanation from Egyptian officials.

Most workers seeking to meet the July 3 deadline work in agriculture across the Kingdom.

There are scores of volunteers with legal knowledge working to assist their compatriots. Around 40 legal advisers from the Egyptian community in Riyadh and Jeddah have came forward to assist their nationals.

Such prominent community members have played a key role in helping facilitate employment opportunities through job legalization or in providing financial assistance to those who want to return to Egypt.

According to sources, EgyptAir is providing a special discount on one-way tickets to Egypt during the grace period despite the current peak season.

Adel Fadel and Kamal Abdul Aziz, Egyptian diplomats in Riyadh and Jeddah, are exerting efforts to resolve the issue within the grace period.