The number of illegal residents in the country increased to a record number as it reached 180,000 residency violators as per latest figures, reports local AlRai Arabic newspaper. Even though the country announced a successive amnesty for the illegal residents to leave the country or rectify the status, very few of them took advantage of this.

According to the report, the Ministry of Interior faces obstacles with residence violators mostly due to suspension of flights to 35 countries. The Ministry of Interior on more than one occasion has called upon violators to settle their status, only a small number of 2,500 expats have taken advantage. The grace period to settle ends on 31st of January.

The report also stated that, due to the absence of regular inspection campaigns since August, the number of residence violators has increased to a record number from 130,000 to 180,000.