The Indian Consulate held a meeting Thursday with schools authorities and outstation community volunteers to update them on the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Labor for workers to correct their residency and work status before the July 3 deadline.

Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai told Arab News the meeting also discussed issues pertaining to the repatriation of domestic and non-domestic workers including Umrah and Haj overstayers. The Ministry of Labor announced the regulations on May 10.

To get an exit visa, workers need not visit the consulate and can approach the Passport Department directly, where they can get the service free of charge. The Passport Department, or Jawazat, will only issue exit visas for those who entered the country legally on a valid visa and who were fingerprinted on arrival.

According to the latest information from the Tarheel (deportation center), workers are currently being given final exit stamps on their valid passport or emergency travel certificates.

Workers need not show they have an air ticket to get an exit stamp but have to ensure they leave by the end of the three-month grace period.

Those leaving on a final exit will not be banned from entering the Kingdom on a new visa, but those who have legal cases against them can only leave after settling these matters.

If a worker needs an emergency travel certificate, the consulate will issue it free of charge.

Domestic workers who want to transfer to new sponsors should approach the Passport Department with the new sponsor or his agent. Those who want to transfer from being a domestic worker to another job in the private sector, or transfer between two private sector companies may approach the labor office with the agent of the new employer.

They do not need their passports, only an iqama to get the new job. They can apply for passports later from the consulate.

Workers are not allowed to transfer from a private sector company to become a domestic worker.

Those Umrah or Haj pilgrims who arrived before July 3, 2008, can change their status but those who came after this date have to go home. They can get exit visas without paying any fees.