Saudi Arabia Offer Permanent Residency To Some Expats

Saudi Council of Ministers approved the special Privilege Iqama Law under which expatriates will be able to live and work in the Kingdom without the need of a local sponsor for the first time, according to Arab News.

The decision was made by the Cabinet chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday night after examining an earlier decision of the Shoura Council and reviewing recommendation of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA).

According to the law, the holder of such an Iqama will have family status, and can obtain visit visa for relatives, recruit domestic workers apart from owning properties, means of transport and such other advantages. To obtain this type of residency, expatriates will have to make payment of a special fee determined by the Executive Regulations and the Center of Distinguished Iqama will be established for the purpose.

There will be two types of Iqamas - one for an unlimited period and the other for one-year validity that's subject to renewal. Expats will  require a valid passport, enough financial resources, sound health report and certificate of no criminal record, to avail the new type of Iqama.

Minister of Media, Turki Al-Shabanah, said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet entrusted the Ministry of Justice to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of cooperation with the American Bar Association in the fields of justice, reported Saudi Gazette. 

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