Saudi Arabia finally Simplify Family Visas for Foreign Workers

Latest news from Saudi Arabia ... JEDDAH, (PRLM) .- The government of Saudi Arabia will issue new regulations for the provision of a residence permit (permanent resident visa) for the wives and children of foreign workers in the country without limiting their profession.

The plan, according to Al-Yaum daily, Saturday (26/12), will create a relief of about seven million foreign workers (expatriate) are not able to bring their families because of rules that mention knock, only certain professions are allowed to bring family to Saudi Arabia.


Not obtain information on the number of Indonesian workers in Saudi Arabia, yet according to records, there are hundreds of thousands of Indonesian citizens who have been hereditary in the country, mainly from the ethnic Madurese, Banjar and other tribes.

Based on the old rules still apply, the foreign ministry in Saudi Arabia and the Office of Labor Saudi Arabia only give a residence permit or a tourist visa for a foreign worker who is a `tie` workers (blue-collar workers) such as engineers, doctors or executives.

While based on the new regulations will apply, which views only the relevant financial status. "Visas for the family no longer associated with the profession," said a source at Al-Yaum daily.

Representative Depnaker office in Jeddah and Dammam, reportedly have not obtained information about the planned implementation of new regulations contain a convenience to families of foreign workers to obtain a residence permit for family members.

Meanwhile, Abdullah, a freelance reporter based in Riyadh said that if the new provisions to be implemented, thousands of unskilled laborers, farmers or migrant workers in the construction sector will take advantage.

Abdullah revealed, the Arab labor ministry received over 800 proposals of foreign workers from more than a thousand foreign workers in line for hours at the office workers to get permanent visas for their families.

He guessed that the new policy was enforced as the government gratitude Saudi Arabia in connection with the return of Prince Sultan after being treated for a long time abroad due to her illness, and he thought the new regulations will take effect in time soon.

While Arabnews Daily reported, after hearing the news about the planned implementation of new regulations a number of workers came directly from India Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Indian consulate general office in Jeddah to list their family name into the passport.