Chennai: Coming as a relief to several Indian workers who find themselves stranded in Saudi Arabia having travelled there illegally apart from those who have overstayed their visas, the kingdoms’ government has offered a 90-day amnesty period under which these Indians can return to their homenation.

The Indian embassy has received over 20,000 applications mostly from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar who wish to return home under the amnesty scheme. Unlike the 2013 amnesty scheme that was restricted to Riyadh and Jeddah, this year it is available in 21 locations across the kingdom. The Indian embassy has urged Indians who are residing illegally in the kingdom to make use of the amnesty scheme to return home.

It is gathered that Saudi officials are giving out passes (one-way travel documents the authorities issue to Indian nationals to travel back home in the absence of passports) and exit visas free of charge to applicants. However, the applicants would have to bear the flight charges.