Syrian, Yemeni students asked to correct status

In this file photo Yemenis, mostly students, have their stay in the Kingdom legalized at a Passport Directorate office. (SPA file photo)

JEDDAH: The General Directorate of Passports has announced measures for Syrian and Yemeni students to correct their residency status and identify violators through school administrations.
Syrian students who entered the Kingdom on Umrah visas and whose visas have expired will not be admitted to schools until they change their visa status from Umrah pilgrim to visitor.
Failure to correct the status through the directorate’s website will result in permanent closure of the student’s file at the end of the current school year. Such students will not be admitted to school next year until they correct their visa status with a new date.
The directorate has told the Department of Education to immediately contact parents and ask them to begin the process of correcting the visa status of their children and avoid interruption in study. As for Syrian students whose passports have expired, the residents (with iqamas) can have their iqamas renewed. Those on visit visas can have their visas extended, even though their passports have expired.
“Syrian students with expired passports are not being asked to renew them, but rather to renew their iqama or visit visa only, upon taking a vow to renew their visit visa or iqama so as to avoid dismissal of the student at the end of the year,” an official said.
As for Yemeni students illegally residing in the Kingdom, with no passport, they are granted a visitor ID and a visit visa. These students are required to request extension of the visitor ID and visit visa, even if they have no passport.
If their passports have expired, their iqamas are renewable. Those who carry visit visas can have their visas extended, even if they have expired passports; they are not required to renew their passports as they will be accepted even if they are expired.
The individual is required to pledge to renew his or her visit visa or iqama, due to the ongoing conditions in their home country.
Failure to renew such documents will result in closure of the student’s file and dismissal at the end of the academic year. The student will only be admitted once again upon the renewal of the visa or iqama.