It's official: Saudi king announces three-month grace period for illegal expatriates

[email protected] (CD Network)
April 7, 2013

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Riyadh, Apr 7: Thousands of expatriate workers including Indians in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia breathed a sigh of relief after King Abdullah announced three-month grace period for illegal foreigners.

With this the massive campaign by Saudi authorities to deport thousands of foreigners who overstayed their residence permits or worked illegally or did not have the legal documents to work or stay in the Kingdom, has come to a temporary halt.

“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud has directed the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour that labourers violating regulations in the Kingdom be given a grace period of three months to regularise their status,” an official statement said.

The King also has instructed that those who fail to correct their status within this period would be penalized in accordance with the law.

“The law will be enforced against those who remain in violation following the end of the grace period,” the statement said.

The King's move comes two days after Riyadh Governor Prince Khaled bin Bandar extended the Nitaqat deadline for businesses by two months.

The news has been widely welcomed by Saudi businessmen and expatriates as the raids being carried out by a joint team of interior and labor officials had affected business.

According to the Interior Ministry, employers and expatriate workers would face steep fines and jail time if they violate iqama and visa laws.

The ministry outlined 34 violations ranging from expats failing to provide proof of residency to forgery to employers hiring workers on a visitor's visa. Fines range from SR 1,000 to SR 50,000 depending on nature of the violation.

Ibrahim Muhammad, who is retired from the Ministry of Interior, said that the Ministry of Labor should emphasize the guidelines every time an expatriate renews or replaces his iqama. "More light should be given to the issue by the media and business people to make sure there is no misunderstanding about what can happen to violators of the law," he said. A resident failing to prove that he holds an iqama faces a SR 1,000 fine for the first violation, SR 2,000 for the second offense and SR 3,000 for the third violation. Saudi citizens who help an expat obtain a forged iqama face fines of up to SR 15,000 and three months in jail.

Expats who forge iqamas or visas face up to three months in jail or a SR 10,000 fine.

Individuals sheltering overstayers can expect to pay as much as SR 30,000 in fines and have their name published in the press. Fines are multiplied for each overstayer involved.

In a related development, psychologists have warned against the negative impact of raids on Saudis as well as expatriates and described it as Jawazat (passport) phobia. They said such phobia would encourage people to become introverts and behave angrily toward those surrounding them.

Also Read:

Riyadh governor extends 'Nitaqat' deadline for two months

Nitaqat enforcement: First Karnataka delegation visits Riyadh

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

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News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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