Saudi Arabia's King Salman issued the decree on Thursday. AFP
Saudi Arabia's King Salman issued the decree on Thursday. AFP
Saudi Arabia's King Salman issued the decree on Thursday. AFP
Saudi Arabia's King Salman issued the decree on Thursday. AFP

Saudi Arabia to grant citizenship to ‘innovative’ people


Mina Aldroubi
  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia granted citizenship to foreigners in fields such as medicine and technology on Thursday, in a bid to diversify the kingdom's economy. 
The changes are part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's economic and social reform plans to steer the economy away from its reliance on oil.

Citizenship is difficult to obtain in the Gulf as it is not traditionally offered to foreigners and expatriates living in the region.

The kingdom aims to attract "scientists, intellectuals and innovators from around the world, to enable the kingdom to become a diverse hub that the Arab world would be proud of", Saudi Project, a government platform, said on Twitter.

Experts in forensic and medical science, technology, agriculture, nuclear and renewable energy, oil and gas and artificial intelligence will be considered.

People involved in arts, sports and culture are also included to "contribute and support the enhancement of Saudi competencies and knowledge that will benefit the general public".

Saudi nationals typically receive stipends and economic benefits as their share of the country’s wealth.

The current Saudi citizenship law allows the naturalisation of foreign citizens who have held permanent residency in the kingdom for at least five years.

But the requirement of a Saudi sponsor has restricted foreigners living in the country from gaining permanent residency.

The royal decree stated that "worldwide candidates who applied for the citizenship and meet the criteria will be granted citizenship".

Yemeni expatriates who are living in the kingdom will also be granted Saudi nationality.

Leila Al Hilali, a family therapist in Jeddah, said King Salman's decree was a positive move that would empower the kingdom.

"This is a very important step that is much needed in the kingdom to diversify its economy and culture," Ms Al Hilali told The National.

King Salman presents "the Saudi public with pleasant surprises that will have positive impacts on our country', she said.

"This is a bold and beautiful step that the King has taken and it will take us further in developing the 2030 vision.

"The country has taken quick and decisive measures that will take our country to great lengths."

The order also includes members of displaced tribes in the kingdom and residents who are descended from Saudi parents who did not obtain passports when the idea of citizenship was introduced in the last century.

It will also help to resolve the status of children born to mothers who are Saudi nationals but fathers who are not.

The economic and social benefits Saudi Arabia will reap from this initiative will be tremendous in terms of collaboration, openness, competitiveness and entrepreneurship, said Haider Hussain, Partner at immigration consultancy Fragomen UAE.

"These benefits will directly contribute to the advancement of the kingdom's private and public sector, and will stimulate a stronger sense of community and tolerance between nationals and foreigners," Mr Hussain told The National.

The move is a "strong testament to the kingdom’s commitment to attracting the best talent from around the world", he said.

"Through this forward-thinking move, Saudi is illustrating to the world that the kingdom is open to new ideas and is ready to drive the economy further towards its ambitious goals."

By making a decisive move to offer citizenship for foreign health professionals in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is seeking  a competitive advantage over other Gulf countries, said Samuel Ramani, a doctoral researcher in international relations at the University of Oxford.

"This is a considerable boost to the Vision 2030 plan. One of the challenges in attracting outside talent to the Gulf is the inability to give them citizenship," Mr Ramani told The National.

"It will bolster investment and increase the likelihood of corporations participating in Saudi investment forums."

Last month, the kingdom issued its first batch of "premium" residence visas for investors, doctors, engineers or financiers who wish to live in the kingdom.

The programme offers foreign nationals and their families long-term visas and privileges that were previously not available to non-Saudis.

The kingdom also announced the launch of its new tourist visas in September that will grant people more than one entry to the country.

It is expected the announcement will create one million new jobs for the country by 2030.

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From NEOM to Ad Diriyah: Saudi Arabia's 'giga projects' — in pictures:

About Krews

Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Founded: January 2019

Number of employees: 10

Sector: Technology/Social media 

Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support

 

Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

Brief scores:

Day 1

Toss: South Africa, field first

Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48

South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The distance learning plan

Spring break will be from March 8 - 19

Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm

Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19

Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning

Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5

While you're here
The biog

Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."

Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell 

Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BOSH!'s pantry essentials

Nutritional yeast

This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.

Seeds

"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."

Umami flavours

"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".

Onions and garlic

"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."

Your grain of choice

Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."

Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst%20match%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2020%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%2016%20round%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%203%20to%206%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuarter-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%209%20and%2010%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESemi-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2013%20and%2014%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young