[Saudi Arabia] First group of expatriates granted citizenship

[Saudi Arabia] First group of expatriates granted citizenship
16 Nov 2021

Saudi Arabia has granted citizenship to a group of expatriates including doctors, clerics and academics. It becomes the second Gulf Arab state to introduce a formal naturalisation programme for foreigners with exceptional skills in 2021, Khaleej Times reports.

The announcement follows a November 11 royal decree that grants citizenship to “experts and exceptional global talents” who will contribute to the growth of the Kingdom under its ambitious reform plans, state news agency SPA reported last week.

Foreigners in Saudi Arabia usually have renewable visas that are valid for only a few years and linked to employment.

The naturalisation programme will seek out individuals in Islamic scholarship, medicine, science, culture, sports and technology with a view to creating an “attractive environment” to cultivate and retain exceptional talent to help achieve Vision 2030 goals, SPA said.

Vision 2030 is a plan of reforms to create jobs and reduce the Saudi economy’s dependence on oil.

According to local news reports yesterday, the naturalised group includes Muslim clerics who supported some of King Salman’s initiatives on religious tolerance, financial experts, medical doctors and academics who specialise in engineering, chemistry and communications.

Saudi Arabia is taking steps to become a regional commercial hub and vie for foreign capital and talent.

In January, the UAE reportedly announced a scheme that would grant citizenship to investors and other professionals including scientists, doctors and their families.

This followed a more flexible visa policy in recent years, offering longer residencies for certain types of investors, students and professionals.

Source: Khaleej Times

Saudi Arabia has granted citizenship to a group of expatriates including doctors, clerics and academics. It becomes the second Gulf Arab state to introduce a formal naturalisation programme for foreigners with exceptional skills in 2021, Khaleej Times reports.

The announcement follows a November 11 royal decree that grants citizenship to “experts and exceptional global talents” who will contribute to the growth of the Kingdom under its ambitious reform plans, state news agency SPA reported last week.

Foreigners in Saudi Arabia usually have renewable visas that are valid for only a few years and linked to employment.

The naturalisation programme will seek out individuals in Islamic scholarship, medicine, science, culture, sports and technology with a view to creating an “attractive environment” to cultivate and retain exceptional talent to help achieve Vision 2030 goals, SPA said.

Vision 2030 is a plan of reforms to create jobs and reduce the Saudi economy’s dependence on oil.

According to local news reports yesterday, the naturalised group includes Muslim clerics who supported some of King Salman’s initiatives on religious tolerance, financial experts, medical doctors and academics who specialise in engineering, chemistry and communications.

Saudi Arabia is taking steps to become a regional commercial hub and vie for foreign capital and talent.

In January, the UAE reportedly announced a scheme that would grant citizenship to investors and other professionals including scientists, doctors and their families.

This followed a more flexible visa policy in recent years, offering longer residencies for certain types of investors, students and professionals.

Source: Khaleej Times

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