Saudi Arabia to grant citizenship to expats

Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its commitment to grant citizenship to expatriates that have qualifications in hi-tech professions.

A naturalisation programme was first discussed in October 2004 when it was announced that expats with degrees in medicine, computer science, and other branches of science and technology would be given priority for citizenship.

A requirement for expatriates to have spent 10 years living in Saudi Arabia was relaxed at that time.

Applications for citizenship have been accepted since May 2005.

It is thought that up to one million of the seven million expatriates estimated to be living in the Kingdom might be eligibile.

Citizenship will not deliver the same rights of a Saudi Arabian national, but is expected to remove the requirement for a migrrant worker to be tied to a sponsor; a rule that greatly restricts freedom to switch jobs.

Citizens would also be able to travel freely in and out of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's Interior Minister, Prince Nayef Bin Abdel Aziz, reaffirmed yesterday that King Abdullah had agreed to grant citizenship to foreign residents with scientific qualifications, but gave no further details.

It is expected that citizenship will be dependent on a points system that was first announced in 2005. At that time, it was stated that applicants must accumulate a minimum of 23 points to qualify in the first stage of the process based on the length of stay in the country, the number of family members dependent on the applicant, and the level of qualification.

An applicant was to be given 13 points for a doctorate in medicine or engineering, 10 points for those holding doctorates in other sciences and eight points for a master's degree.

Applicants were also required to present a certificate from the Imam of their local mosque stating that they regularly attended for prayers.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Saudi Arabia Citizenship to expats is a dreem which could't become true.
Posted by mohd. Ibrahim, Hyderabad, India on Saturday 30 May 2009 at 16:45 UAE time


when it was annouced in all new papers in 2005 that Saudi Govt. is planninig to allow a citizenship for expats, then i talked about the Subject with Saudi Nationals, and came to know that, it is highly impossible that Expats can get a Nationality, because those who are leaving in KSA since 50 years they yet not get yet. and how those can get it who are leaving in KSA from only 10 years.

Dreams remain as dreams
Posted by Prasanth, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday 10 May 2007 at 20:38 UAE time


Really a funny news. If they do this they will allow the women to drive car / allow to remove Purdah (even in the case of expats atleast) and wear normal clothes.  
 
The news itself says the irony. "Applicants were also required to present a certificate from the Imam of their local mosque stating that they regularly attended for prayers.". This clears that the earlier comment was really correct - Saudi Arabia to grant citizenship to MUSLIM expats ONLY.  
 
Islam says no bribe, but I'm a victim to give bribe to grant visit visa to the consul guys in front of the vice consul at Mumbai consulate. They ask 10,000 INR and finally agreed at 4,000 INR which I have in hand as liquid cash at the same time. They taken the money through the passport acceptance window and the same day they given visa, which having the same documents rejected by the same personnel says there is some problems.

Don't believe them
Posted by Sadeq on Thursday 10 May 2007 at 15:37 UAE time


Saudi is one of the few countries which has 100% muslim population (citzens). No harm if they want to keep it this way. 
In the earlier point system, it was said that only a handful of expats managed to get the citizenship (their stay in the country was 20years plus!!). Knowing saudi arabia, they will never grant citizenship, the best one can hope for, is that they give people who purchase freehold sort of a long residency permit.

Saudi Arabia to grant citizenship to expats
Posted by Anon on Wednesday 9 May 2007 at 18:35 UAE time


they need to re write the heading as follows: 
 
Saudi Arabia to grant citizenship to MUSLIM expats ONLY

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM