ع
The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the start of procedures to regularize the residency status of Yemeni nationals living without legal documentation in the Kingdom. This step follows directives issued by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and comes in direct response to a request from Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council. The ministry described the move as an extension of the Kingdom’s ongoing fraternal and humanitarian support for the Yemeni people, according to a statement distributed by the Saudi Press Agency.
Implementation of the initiative will involve coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Saudi Data and AI Authority. The interior ministry stated that possession of a valid Yemeni passport stands as an essential prerequisite for any applicant seeking to benefit from the regularization process. Specific start dates along with detailed regulations governing the procedures will be released through the official accounts of the General Directorate of Passports and associated authorities.
An estimated 1.9 million Yemenis reside in Saudi Arabia, where they account for approximately 62 percent of remittances sent to Yemen. The National reported that the regularization could broaden access to formal jobs and banking services for those previously outside the legal framework, potentially easing financial transfers to families back home. Such scale reflects the deep ties between the two countries amid years of regional challenges.
The chairman of Yemen’s Shura Council stated that the decision would carry a significant impact on the lives of thousands of Yemenis and their families. This development arrives against the backdrop of sustained enforcement actions targeting residency and labor rules across the Kingdom. The National noted that authorities logged 11,819 violations related to residency, labor and border security in the week ending September 30.
Yemeni applicants will need to meet the passport requirement to ensure proper verification during the process, the interior ministry emphasized in its announcement. Coordination among the involved government bodies aims to streamline procedures while upholding regulatory standards. Additional instructions are anticipated shortly via designated official channels to guide eligible individuals through the necessary steps.
The measure underscores Saudi Arabia’s continued engagement with Yemen’s leadership on matters affecting expatriate communities. Officials have framed the regularization as a targeted response rather than a broad policy shift for all irregular residents. Further updates from the General Directorate of Passports will clarify timelines and operational details in the days ahead.
