Doha, Feb. 9 -- Qatar has announced a general amnesty for migrant workers who have overstayed their residence visas and are now undocumented. Under this amnesty, such individuals will be allowed to return to their home countries within three months without facing any penalties. The amnesty scheme comes into effect from today, Sunday.

Issuing an announcement on Saturday, Qatar's Ministry of Interior said that migrant workers without a valid residence permit, expired visas, or those who failed to renew their documents can now return to their home countries without paying fines or staying in deportation centres.

The ministry has announced a grace period for violators of Law No. (21) of 2015 regulating the entry, exit, and residence of expa...