The authorities in Saudi Arabia have again warned foreigners staying illegally in the country that they have only until the end of this month either to legalise their status or leave.

The authorities warned in April that people who remain in the country after the deadline could be punished by jail sentences of up to six months or a fine of up to $27,000.

The majority of these immigrants come from south Asian countries.

Their embassies in the capital, Riyadh, say hundreds have been approaching them each week for help.

Most entered the kingdom for Umra - the unofficial Haj pilgrimage - and have stayed on to find work and earn money.

Changed names

But there are also those who have either changed the names of Saudi people who sponsor them to live and work in the country, or who have left their employers to set up their own businesses.

Foreigners make up more than 30% of Saudi Arabia's 20 million population.

By far the biggest group of foreign workers come from India - there are about 1.5 million Indians in the country.

South Asians are involved in every sector of the Saudi economy from oil industry to farming.

Indian embassy officials say that given the size of the community in the Gulf country, only a small fraction of Indian expatriates fall into the illegal category.

Embassy officials say they have been in regular contact with the Saudi authorities to help track illegal Indian workers.

Expulsions

The Saudi Government first initiated the expulsion of illegal visitors in 1997, for economic as well as social reasons.

Falling oil prices triggered a drop in the standard of life in the kingdom, and unemployment and crime figures both increased.

These reverses were blamed on the large group of foreign workers in the country.

The Saudi authorities say that crime has dropped since the 1997 campaign, and that they are now in the process of introducing new regulations for Umra pilgrims.