Politics · Saudi Arabia · 5 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia outlines visa and residency options for Yemenis
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has set out options for Yemenis whose visit visas, visitor identities or residency status have expired.
Some expired visit visas and visitor identities can be extended electronically for six months without an in-person visit, if the person has a valid Yemeni passport.
People without Yemeni documents or passports may receive free six-month visit visas after proving their Yemeni nationality and booking an appointment through Absher.
Those registered as having absconded may be able to correct their status by cancelling the report and transferring to another employer through digital platforms.
A valid passport and medical examination are required for that process.
Some people on exceptional visit visas who find work may apply for legal residency while their visa is still valid, subject to the same passport and medical requirements.
People without documents who need to correct an irregular status must provide proof of Yemeni nationality and book an appointment to attend in person.
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports outlined options for Yemenis to extend visas and correct their residency status.
Expired visit visas and visitor identities can be extended electronically for six months without an in-person review, if the person has a valid Yemeni passport.
Yemenis without documents or passports can receive free six-month visit visas after proving Yemeni nationality and booking an appointment through Absher.
Some people can transfer to another employer through digital platforms, subject to requirements including a valid passport and medical examination.
People holding exceptional visit visas may obtain legal residency if they find work while their visa remains valid.
- Who
- Yemenis in Saudi Arabia, including people with expired visas or irregular status.
- What
- Saudi Arabia outlined options to extend visas, transfer to another employer or obtain legal residency.
- When
- The report was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- To allow Yemenis in different circumstances to correct their status under specified rules and procedures.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Correcting the status of Yemenis present in the Kingdom through irregular means includes multiple categories according to specific rules and procedures for each case.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Visit visa extension
- Six months electronically, with a valid Yemeni passport
- Visa for people without documents
- Free visit visa for six months after proving Yemeni nationality and booking through Absher
- Employer transfer
- Through Qiwa for professional labor or Musaned for supporting labor
- Legal residency
- Available to eligible exceptional visit visa holders who find work while the visa is valid
- Publication date
- October 11, 2026
Sources
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