Saudi Arabia launches two-month amnesty for Yemeni residents
Saudi authorities begin a two-month campaign to regularize the status of Yemeni nationals living illegally in the Kingdom.
Key Takeaways
AIThe General Directorate of Passports, in cooperation with relevant authorities, has begun implementing procedures to regularize the status of all Yemeni nationals residing illegally in Saudi Arabia. The campaign starts on Sunday, Rabi Al-Akhir 30, 1448 AH (October 11, 2026), and will run for two months across all regions of the Kingdom.
This initiative follows directives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz, in response to a request from Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, and aims to resolve the residency status of Yemenis in violation of the Kingdom’s regulations.
Eligible categories and correction procedures
- Yemenis without documents or passports: Will be granted a free six-month visit visa after booking an appointment online via the Absher platform and providing proof of Yemeni nationality.
- Holders of expired visitor IDs or visit visas: Their visas will be extended electronically for six months, provided they have a valid passport, with no need to visit passport offices.
- Residents with expired permits: May transfer to employers in need of their services through digital platforms (Absher, Qiwa, Musaned), or leave the Kingdom on a final exit visa without restrictions.
- Absconded workers: Their status can be corrected by canceling the absconding report and transferring their services to new employers via the Qiwa and Musaned platforms, provided their travel documents are valid.
Correction centers across the Kingdom
The General Directorate of Passports has designated centers for correcting the status of border security violators in various regions, including four centers in Riyadh; one each in Najran, Madinah, Al-Baha, Northern Borders, Tabuk, Qassim, and Hail; two each in Makkah and Jazan; three each in Asir and the Eastern Province; and two in Al-Jouf.
The Passports Directorate explained that these measures are intended to facilitate the regularization process for Yemeni violators, ensuring quick and easy procedures through digital platforms.