Saudi Arabia extends grace period to 338,352 Yemenis

Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced the extension of the grace period to August 16 to 338,352 Yemenis living in the country, Al Eqtisadiya online newspaper reported.

The earlier two-month grace period was announced on May 2 as part of an order by the royal court in consideration of the current situation in Yemen and in response to the call of Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to stand with the Yemeni government and citizens.

The period ended on July 7 and Saudi Arabia extended it again to August 16 as part of a request by the exiled Yemeni government in Riyadh.

As part of the facilities, Yemenis illegally living in Saudi Arabia can get renewable six-month visit visas after getting travel documents from their government, while they will also be allowed to work according to the country's regulations if they obtain work permits, according to Xinhua news agency.

On March 26, the Saudi-led coalition started airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi group and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was accused of supporting the Houthis to overthrow Hadi and to reinstate the Yemeni government.

The Saudi passport department announced on Wednesday that 49 centres across the country were allocated to help 338,352 Yemenis legalise their status.

The department also warned that legal action would be taken against violators after the end of the period, highlighting that those with visiting visas could not work in the country without work permits.