Around 427,000 foreign residents have been deported from Saudi Arabia in the last six months, said a report, citing senior interior ministry officials.

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

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

The interior ministry has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards those breaking the residency or work rules in the country.

“We are serious about making the country free of violators and we will pursue them everywhere to ensure law and order,” said senior interior ministry officials.

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