JEDDAH: The Yemeni community has asked the Saudi government to extend the rectification process, which ends Tuesday, claiming that there are many thousands still seeking to get proper identification documents to qualify for work visas in the Kingdom.

Mohammad Al-Ahdal, a member of the Yemeni Rectification Committee, said an official request has been made by the consulate in Jeddah for an extension, a local publication reported Monday.

However, Al-Ahdal said that there has been no response yet from the Saudi government on the matter. He said 250,000 Yemenis have been issued with temporary identity documents, while there are thousands more who do not have any documentation.

Khaled Ali Al-Mahfadi, assistant consul at the Yemeni Consulate in Jeddah and head of the Al-Amal rectification camp, said there was not enough time left to correct the status of the large numbers of people seeking assistance.

He said there are four committees at the camp, each with 13 members, working to process applications and issue temporary documents. Between 2,000 and 2,500 temporary identity documents are issued daily, he said.

He said the working committees check the documents presented including passports and identity cards to root out any attempts at fraud. Those who violate regulations are handed over to the authorities, he said.

He said some individuals who have approached the consulate for help include families that have lived illegally in the Kingdom for 30 years.

A royal decree was issued earlier this year announcing that Yemenis would be allowed to rectify their status between May 10 until July 7.

They would be given a renewable six-month extension of their visit visas, permission to work, and an exemption from fines and other penalties. 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, which must be presented to any Saudi passport office in the country. They also have to undergo medical tests in accordance with the Kingdom’s residency laws.