Saudi Arabia has recently made significant changes to its citizenship laws, according to a report by the Khaleej Times. Under the new rule, children of Saudi women who are married to expatriates can now apply for citizenship after the age of 18. This decision was made after an amendment was approved to Article 8 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality System, which allows the Prime Minister to grant citizenship.
Article 8 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality System has recently been amended, allowing certain foreign nationals to apply for Saudi citizenship. This amendment has been approved by Saudi officials, including Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and was published in the official gazette Um Al Qura in March 2022.
Under the new amendment, a person born to a Saudi mother and a foreign father may apply for citizenship upon meeting certain criteria. These criteria include being over the age of 18, being fluent in the Arabic language, having good conduct and behavior, and not having been imprisoned for a period of more than six months.
This amendment has been met with both positive and negative reactions. On one hand, it allows certain foreign nationals to become citizens of Saudi Arabia and enjoy the benefits that come with it. On the other hand, some activists have expressed concerns that this amendment will make it more difficult for Saudi women to attain naturalization for their children, as it adds more legal hurdles for them to navigate.
It is worth noting that currently, children whose father is Saudi nationals are automatically granted citizenship, which is the case for most states in the region. This amendment, therefore, represents a significant departure from traditional citizenship laws in the region.
This is not the first time that Saudi Arabia has made changes to its citizenship laws. In November 2021, the kingdom passed a royal decree granting citizenship to "experts and exceptional global talents," becoming the second Gulf state after the UAE to introduce a formal naturalization program for foreigners with specialized skills.
Overall, the amendment of Article 8 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality System represents a significant change in the way citizenship is granted in the region. It remains to be seen how this amendment will be implemented and what its long-term effects will be on Saudi society.
Attention please skilled and unskilled workers! We provide work permits for almost all European countries. Contact us on WhatsApp at +92316-4820637 for more info.
0 Comments