The government plans to correct the status of Yemeni workers from May 10 until July 7, it was announced jointly by the Labor and Interior ministries on Monday.

The announcement comes in the wake of a royal decree issued last week calling on the ministries to assist Yemenis living and working in the Kingdom, which includes a renewable six-month extension of their visit visas, permission to work, and an exemption from fines and other penalties.

The ministries said the concession is only for Yemenis who had not corrected their status, and who were in the Kingdom before April 10. They should have passports issued by the legitimate Yemeni government.

They must present their passports to any Saudi passport office in the country and fill out a special form. They also have to undergo medical tests in accordance with the Kingdom’s residency laws.

The ministries stated that beneficiaries would be granted six-month renewable visas and allowed to work subject to Labor Ministry regulations. They can find application details on the website www.ajeer.com.sa.

The two ministries allocated numbers 992 and 19911, and e-mail addresses [email protected] and ([email protected]) to receive inquiries.

Meanwhile, according to local media reports, several Yemenis had flocked to their consulate in Jeddah on May 1 to correct their status but found the offices closed because of Labor Day.

Yemen Consul General Ali Mohammed Al-Ayashi said the consulate has started to work with the Saudi Interior Ministry to help needy Yemeni workers.

He confirmed the consulate had been closed on May Day.

He said the ministry would first start assisting Yemeni illegals in the country, who need to have their passports renewed, or need other procedures completed at the Saudi passport department, said Al-Ayashi.

He said the second phase would include those who do not have passports. “The consulate will require they bring personal identification documents. We will then issue the official documents so that they can go to the Passport Department to complete other regulatory procedures,” he said.

Several Yemeni citizens thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for helping them correct their status and find work.

“I came here to the Kingdom with my family to escape the hell of the Houthis. We were granted a visit visa. I am happy with the decision of the Kingdom’s leadership to correct the status of our people,” said Sewom Riyashi, a Yemeni citizen.