Saudi Yemen Residency Amnesty: 2-Month Regularization Starts
Saudi Arabia has officially launched a two-month Saudi Yemen residency amnesty, aiming to regularize the status of Yemeni nationals residing irregularly within the Kingdom. Effective from October 11, 2026, the initiative provides a legal pathway for Yemeni residents to rectify their documentation and avoid deportation.
The program was enacted following directives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, in response to a request from Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council. The regularization period is expected to run until approximately December 11, 2026.
Pathways for Residency Regularization
The General Directorate of Passports has outlined specific procedures tailored to different categories of Yemeni nationals to ensure a smooth transition:
- Individuals without passports or documents: Those lacking valid travel documents are eligible for a free six-month visit visa. Applicants must provide proof of Yemeni nationality and secure an electronic appointment through the Absher platform.
- Holders of expired visit visas or IDs: If individuals possess registered biometrics and a valid passport, they can obtain a six-month extension electronically, bypassing the need for in-person government visits.
- Holders of expired Iqamas: Residents with expired residency permits (Iqamas) can transfer to new employers using the Absher, Qiwa, or Musaned platforms, provided they have valid travel documents and undergo a medical examination.
- Workers with Huroob status: Those previously reported as absent from work (Huroob) may have their absence reports canceled and be permitted to transfer to new employers, provided they hold valid travel documents.
Digital Services and Fee Waivers
To facilitate the process, the Kingdom is utilizing several digital platforms, including Absher, Qiwa, and Musaned. In a significant move to support the workforce, the Qiwa platform has waived outstanding work permit fees for eligible professional workers who were reported absent prior to June 16, 2026. This waiver is available for a 60-day period.
Employers are required to manage these transitions by booking virtual appointments on the Qiwa platform under the specific Yemeni status correction service.
Nationwide Correction Centers
For those requiring physical processing, 23 designated correction centers are operating across the country to assist with status corrections and border security violations. These centers are located in:
- Riyadh: 4 centers
- Asir: 3 centers
- Eastern Province: 3 centers
- Makkah: 2 centers, including the Al-Shimaysi center
- Jazan: 2 centers
- Al-Jouf: 2 centers
- Other regions: One center each in Najran, Madinah, Al-Baha, Northern Borders, Tabuk, Qassim, and Hail.
Local reports confirm that the Al-Shimaysi Correction Headquarters in Makkah is already actively processing applications, providing vital assistance to workers across the construction, services, and domestic sectors.