While a new law allowing foreigners to apply for Saudi citizenship came into effect on Friday, the Shura Council will soon start debating a new iqama (residency) law that would replace a 50-year-old system in the kingdom.
According to the new by-law, starting May 23 expatriates in Saudi Arabia, who fulfil certain conditions, can apply for citizenship.
Some articles of the existing naturalisation law were amended to meet job work requirements and realise the interests of the kingdom and its citizens.
Professionals such as doctors and engineers would be given preference.
The six million-strong expatriate workforce in Saudi Arabia was waiting for the 35-article bylaw since the Cabinet approved the newly-amended naturalisation law.
The new by-law came into effect after it was published in the official gazette, Nasser Al Hanaya, Deputy Interior Minister, said.
Dr Ahmad Al Salim, Undersecretary at the ministry, said the amended law does not imply any large-scale handout of Saudi citizenship to non-Saudis.
All applicants who fulfil the necessary conditions may not get citizenship as the decision to award citizenship depends on the state's discretion, Al Hanaya said.
Saudi citizenship will be open to all foreign nationals working in the kingdom and the law does not aim at a particular nationality.
It covers all expatriates in the country, he said. To qualify for citizenship, the applicant should have lived in the kingdom continuously for not less than 10 years and should be a professional required by the country.
The applicant should not have been convicted and imprisoned for more than six years, prove he is earning his living through legal means and must be fluent in Arabic.
Meanwhile, General Abdul Qader Kamal, member of the Shura security committee, said the law authorises the Court of Grievances to look into violations punishable by fines and amends some rules on the conditions required for foreigners living in the kingdom to re-enter the country or leave.
The law includes amendments to some definitions appearing in employment contracts, replacing the expression kafeel (sponsor) with employer and kafala transfer with granting residence permit.
Al Hanaya said the new law gives the ministry the authority to grant nationality to a foreign widow of a Saudi and to withdraw the nationality from a foreign naturalised Saudi woman if the marriage ends.
The amendments set a series of rules for mixed couples, including giving Saudi women the choice to keep their citizenship or acquire that of a Saudi husband who acquires another citizenship.
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