Kathmandu, April 18 -- Hundreds of Nepali workers are likely to be deprived of the general amnesty scheme announced by the Kuwait government to illegal expatriates.

The scheme exempts illegal immigrants from the penalty of overstaying in Kuwait and also offers free air tickets if residency rule violators agree to join the amnesty.

However, there is an uncertainty regarding illegal Nepali workers benefitting from the amnesty, as their home country remains under lockdown at least until April 27 and incoming international flights suspended till April 30.

According to Kuwaiti government estimates, 7,000 Nepalis are either undocumented or have overstayed in Kuwait.

"Unlike previous amnesties, the current one is a unique one as those leavin...