Saudi Arabia has given foreign workers until November 3rd to obtain legal status in the country “a day before a previous three-month amnesty expired, bringing respite to hundreds of thousands of expatriates who fear deportation,” News 24 and other outlets report.
“Foreigners who do a different job to the one listed on their residence permit, will now have until the end of the Islamic year on 3 November to resolve their status, Saudi official media reported on Tuesday citing an Interior Ministry statement.”
The news reportedly brought a collective sigh from hundreds of thousands of expatriates in Saudi Arabia, according to Arab News.
“The statement said the decree was introduced to “make it easier on citizens and residents….There was also a warning issued by the Saudi government that there would be a crackdown on all illegal workers after the amnesty ends. The ministries of interior and labor urged all undocumented expatriates to correct their status….The royal order comes amid uncertainty, with only one day left of the grace period issued earlier by King Abdullah.”
Saudi Arabia has been cracking down on illegal migrant workers in efforts to boost employment in accordance with its Nitaqat program.
Bloomberg reporter Glen Carey has written excellent pieces on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to stem the increase in foreign workers in the interest of providing increased employment opportunities to Saudi citizens.
