Getting citizenship in Saudi Arabia has just gotten a little bit easier. A royal order has been issued and its means that highly-skilled professionals or those who work in a specialised area, such as the legal, medical, scientific, cultural or sports industry, can now gain Saudi citizenship.
King Salman bin Abdul Aziz issued the royal decree, which will have a major impact on the country’s future. This new move reflects Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and the country’s dependency on oil. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (the mastermind behind the vision) has three big aims: to create a vibrant society, thriving economy and an ambitious nation.
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صدور الموافقة السامية الكريمة، على منح الجنسية السعودية لعدد من أصحاب الكفاءات المتميزة والخبرات والتخصصات النادرة. https://t.co/nE6purc3aq#واس pic.twitter.com/3nF7lbobvR— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) November 11, 2021
Granting citizenship fits with the country’s ambition to create a desirable living and working environment for professionals, which also means that more people can call Saudi Arabia home. This new move for citizenship is a major step for Saudi Arabia, as it demonstrates the country’s plans to attract world-class talent.
While it is difficult to gain citizenship in many Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia is not the first country in the region to grant citizenship. Recently, the United Arab Emirates also announced golden visas for outstanding expatriates.
In 2019, Saudi Arabia swung open its doors to visitors by issuing tourism visas. In just a few years, it already has must-see tourist attractions, from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to world-class museums. Now, thanks to this latest move that grants talented individuals the opportunity to gain citizenship, Saudi Arabia is gearing up to be a global hub for international talent.
