Saudi Arabia has launched a two-month status regularisation programme that opened on October 11, 2026, for undocumented Yemeni nationals across the Kingdom.
The Ministry of Interior is leading the implementation of this regularisation drive, which follows a royal directive issued by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in response to a request from Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, according to announcements carried by Lawzana.
Four Groups Structured for Status Correction
The General Directorate of Passports, known as Jawazat, has structured the initiative into four distinct groups depending on the applicant’s current documentation and visa status, as detailed by Saudi Expatriates.
Applicants in this group must book an electronic appointment through the Absher platform, select a designated regularisation centre, and present proof of Yemeni nationality, such as a passport or a travel document issued by the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh. Yemeni nationals living without identity documents or passports are eligible for a free six-month visit visa. This applies even to Yemenis who entered illegally.
These applicants receive an automatic six-month electronic visa extension without needing to visit a Passports Directorate office, provided they hold a valid passport, as reported by YEN. The second category covers individuals whose visitor IDs or visit visas have expired but whose biometric information already exists in Saudi systems. Furthermore, visit visa holders may obtain legal residency if they find a job while the visa is valid.
Yemeni residents with expired residency permits, or iqamas, who possess valid travel documents form the third group. They may transfer their services to a new employer through digital platforms including Absher, Qiwa for professional workers, and Musaned for domestic workers. Alternatively, they may apply for a final exit visa that carries no restrictions preventing future entry into the Kingdom.
Provided they hold valid travel documents, these workers can have their absence reports cancelled and transfer to a new employer through the same digital channels. The fourth category addresses Yemeni workers who have been reported absent from work.
Regional Centres Operate Alongside Enforcement
Saudi authorities have established correction centres operating under the Border Security system across various regions of the Kingdom. According to Saudi Expatriates, Riyadh hosts four centres, Makkah has two, Asir has three, Jazan has two, the Eastern Province has three, and Al-Jouf has two, while other regional reports note expanded coverage across additional cities. Appointments will be served at designated centres spread across the kingdom, with Riyadh hosting four centres, while Aseer and the Eastern Region will each accommodate three. Single centres will operate in Najran, Madinah, Al-Baha, the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Qassim, and Hail.
Ministry figures cited by Lawzana recorded 11,819 arrests for residency, border, and labour violations during the week of September 24 to September 30, 2026, followed by 13,889 arrests during the week of October 1 to October 7, 2026. Running concurrently with the regularisation window, Interior Ministry enforcement operations continue across the Kingdom. Authorities reiterated that individuals who facilitate illegal entry, transport, or shelter violators face fines of up to SAR 1 million and prison sentences of up to 15 years.
Work Permit Levies Waived Online
Transfers require a valid Yemeni passport and a medical examination. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development through its Qiwa platform initiated a 60-day window waiving overdue work permit levies for professional workers who were reported absent before June 16, 2026, when they transfer to a new employer, in a related measure launched on October 11, 2026.
The application window opened on October 11, 2026, and is scheduled to run for two months, concluding around December 11, 2026, as outlined in reports from Crispng.