Saudi Arabia to allow entry of essential employees from India

Mangaluru

: In a big relief for expats, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador has assured that permission will be granted to companies to fly their most essential employees from India through special flights.

Former deputy chairperson of NRI Forum of Karnataka, Arathi Krishna, told TOI that most of the Indians, who returned home during the

pandemic

, will have to wait till November to fly back to Saudi Arabia. However, companies may contact the foreign affairs ministry in Saudi Arabia to fly their most essential employees back through special permission, said Arathi, who held a discussion with Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to India in New Delhi.

“I spoke to Dr Saud Mohammed Al-Sati, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to India and discussed on issues like

Covid-19

, geopolitics, employment and Air Bubble. Doctors and nurses working in emergency department will be able to travel as of now, while rest might have to wait till this November. He has assured that, if companies need to call in the most essential employees, they can contact the Saudi ministry of foreign affairs and fly on a special flight through the Saudi embassy with the permission of the ministry of external affairs of India,” she said.

Arathi, who has assisted many expats and companies in various foreign countries to obtain necessary permissions from the governments for the repatriation of Indians during pandemic, said, “A few companies in Saudi Arabia have already contacted me seeking help. I have been helping them without me holding any position. I am doing only through my personal contacts,” she added.

Currently, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador has assured that companies will be allowed to fly only most essential employees from India. Others will have to wait till November due to increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in India. They are yet to issue SOPs related to the travel of other employees, Arathi said, adding that she has met Sanjay Bhattacharya, secretary of NRI division, ministry of external affairs, and discussed about various issues relating to NRIs, especially about those who have returned due to job loss.