Help bring Erika home from Saudi Arabia

Hello, my name is Shannon and I am raising funds to bring home my sister Erika and my two nephews back to Canada from Saudi Arabia. The situation has become dire.

Erika is not allowed to leave the country unless a $70000 SAR - $25000 CAD fee is paid. Erika is just over 7 months pregnant and her window to leave the country is closing in very quickly.

Some details of her story cannot be shared for the safety and privacy of Erika and her two children.

In 2022 Erika returned with her husband to Saudi Arabia from Canada with her two sons. Unbeknownst to her a visitors visa began to incur overstay fees although she was considered a resident through marriage with her husband. To this day Erika has a valid Iqama. In December 2023 Erika was supposed to return back to Canada for Christmas and stay, but she was informed upon exiting the country that she had to pay the fines which were in excess of $25 000 CAD. At this time the border security stated that this was a mistake and put a hold on any additional fees incurring, but did not remove fees that had incurred to that point. They directed her to deal with this.

Over the next 8 months Erika had been to every government office possible including the Canadian Consulate in Riyadh, immigration, deportation, iqama, etc, office in Saudi Arabia. No one has been able to offer help and has redirected her to the next agency in what seems to be an ongoing loop. She was finally assured by a government agency that the fees would not need to be paid upon exiting the country as long as she brought with her the correct paperwork to demonstrate her marriage and residency permit.

From the Canadian side, our family has reached out to countless “support systems” including global affairs, SOS, the local MP office in multiple regions with no assistance given. In fact, the most recent solution from global affairs Canada was for Erika to take out a $70000 SAR line of credit in Saudi Arabia (a country where she cannot go anywhere by herself and does not speak Arabic). This solution from our government and the lack of support is laughable at best. They do not care that this is a pregnant woman in a foreign country and that two vulnerable children are involved.

Another flight was booked after being assured that Erika could leave in early July 2024. Border security denied her exit and demanded she pay fees. Thankfully given the situation the airline allowed her to keep her ticket for a future change of date. It was suggested that Erika try the deportation office - they will not do anything because no crimes have been committed. Erika went back to the local iqama office (obtained a new visa for residency) and made the travel to leave Saudi Arabia through the land border to Bahrain. She was again denied exit.

The window to bring Erika and her children back to Canada is very slim with only a few weeks left where she is allowed to travel by air due to her pregnancy.

Paying $25000 is our only hope to bring her home in time.

Although Erika should not have any overstay visa fees to pay, the border security refuses to relinquish the fines and refuses exit. I believe that this is a prey on desperation and vulnerability.

$25000 is a very substantial fine to take on for any one person in our family and we are hoping to pool our resources and resources of friends and family to help. Any amount you can donate helps, and if you do not have the financial means to donate please share this go fund me so that those who can support see this.

From the bottom of my heart and my families hearts, thank you for your support during this time.