A foreigner who wants to stay in the country for a longer period of stay must have a residence permit. He must also leave the territory of the Republic after the expiration of the residence permit, unless he receives a residence permit from the head of the Department.

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According to the place of residence foreigners are divided into three categories:

• Foreigners with a special residence permit;
• Foreigners with a regular residence permit;
• Foreigners with a temporary residence permits.

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Foreigners who have a special residence permit are:

1. foreigners who have resided in the Republic for twenty consecutive years prior to the entry into force of the Yemeni law on the entry and residence of foreigners and who have entered its territory legally.
2. foreigners who have resided for more than five consecutive years prior to the entry into force of the Yemeni law on the entry and residence of foreigners who have entered its territory legally. They perform work that is useful for the national economy, or provide scientific, cultural, or artistic services. These services are determined by the decision of the minister of internal affairs.
3. Scientists, writers, artists, industrialists and businessmen who have great services to the country. Such cases are considered by decisions of the Minister of Internal Affairs. They are granted a ten-year residence permit, which can be extended upon request. People who enjoy a residence permit are the applicant himself, his minor children living with him until they reach the age of eighteen, as well as the wife, if she legally resided in the Republic for two years after the marriage was registered by the head of the Department and provided that the marriage is still ongoing.

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Foreigners with habitual residence are people who have resided in the Republic for fifteen consecutive years before the entry into force of the Yemeni law on the entry and residence of foreigners and who have entered the country legally. Foreigners of this category are allowed to stay for a five-year period with the possibility of renewal.

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Foreigners with temporary residence are people who aren’t subject to the provisions of the previous two categories. Foreigners of this category may be granted a residence permit with the possibility of extending it for one year.

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As an exception, the head of the Department may grant some foreigners three-year residence permits with the possibility of renewal for reasons related to the nature of their work, as in the case of foreigners who are working for oil and oil product companies, or they are managers of companies and banks.

The Minister of Internal Affairs issues a decision that determines the form and status of residence permits.