DHAKA: Saudi Arabia has deported around 427,000 foreigners over the last six months, figures from the interior ministry indicate.

The statistics also show that 12,635 expatriates are waiting at special centers for their deportation process to be completed in order to leave the kingdom.

‘The ministry has stressed that it would have a zero-tolerance policy towards anyone breaking the residency or work rules in the country,’ interior ministry officials said, quoted by local daily Al Eqtisadiya on Sunday, reports gulfnews.

‘We are serious about making the country free of violators and we will pursue them everywhere to ensure law and order,’ the officials said.

Last year, Saudi Arabian authorities gave all foreigners a three-month grace period to regularize their status in the country. The period was extended by four months in July amid warnings that the November 3 date would be final.

In late October, the authorities repeatedly said there would be no extension and warned that those who were staying illegally either because their residence permits or visit visas had expired or because they had been infiltrated across the borders into the vast kingdom would be arrested.

In November, the police launched a series of raids to ensure full compliance with the residence status. Those who were found to break the rules were deported.

BDST: 1720 HRS, APR 28, 2014