Saudi king offers illegal Yemeni expats chance to correct status

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Saturday issued an order under which Yemeni expats living illegally in the kingdom prior to April 9 will be given the chance to correct their residence status.

The Saudi Royal Court said in a statement that the move was taken in response to a request of the legitimate government of Yemen represented by President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi.

“King Salman bin Abdulaziz has directed the Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior to take necessary procedures to correct the residence status of Yemeni expatriates who were illegally residing in the Kingdom,” the statement read, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The illegal expats will be granted a six-month visit visa that may be extended upon receiving travel documents from their country's legitimate government.

“They shall be allowed to work in accordance with regulations set by the competent authorities. This procedure shall be effective for two months as of the date of residence status correction,” the statement added.