Saudi Arabia Opens Pathway For Citizens Of 1 Country To Live In Country Legally

• King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud directed Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior to regularise the residency status of Yemeni nationals living irregularly in the kingdom
• The move came after a formal request from the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Dr Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi
• Yemeni nationals must hold a valid passport to qualify, with the official start date still to be announced through relevant authorities

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior announced on October 5, 2026 that all Yemeni nationals currently residing in the kingdom without legal status will have their residency regularised, acting under directives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The announcement followed a formal request submitted by Dr Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, and was reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi Arabia's Humanitarian Push for Yemenis

The initiative is being coordinated across four government bodies: the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Saudi Data and AI Authority.

Officials described the effort as part of the kingdom's ongoing fraternal and humanitarian commitment to the Yemeni people.

One key condition applies to all applicants: possession of a valid Yemeni passport is mandatory before any regularisation can proceed.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the exact start date and governing regulations will be published through the official channels of the General Directorate of Passports and other relevant authorities once they are finalised.

What the Announcement Means for Yemeni Residents

Yemen has been gripped by conflict for over a decade, driving large numbers of its citizens to seek refuge or work opportunities in neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia.

Many of those who made the journey did so under irregular circumstances, leaving them without legal documentation or formal residency status within the kingdom.

This royal directive offers a structured path for thousands of Yemenis to bring their status in line with Saudi law, allowing them to live and work with greater security.

The involvement of the Saudi Data and AI Authority in the process signals that the regularisation programme will likely be managed through a digital framework, streamlining what could otherwise be a complex administrative undertaking.

Saudi Arabia launches digital service

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a Saudi Arabia published an official payroll structure for foreign engineers, covering three qualification levels under a royal decree.

The salary scale includes a basic pay component and an experience allowance, with a 15% cost-of-living adjustment applied across all grades.