Saudi Green Card System For Expats

Green card only for foreign investors and top expats

Saudi green card will only be given to foreign investors and highly qualified experts among expats, according to a top Shoura Council official.

He said a number of ministries are still studying the procedures of granting the permanent residence card. The regulations will be announced soon.

Speaking to Arab News, Fahd bin Jumaa, vice president of Economic Committee at the consultative body, said the Kingdom expects to reap economic benefits generated by experts in the expat community.

Many expats are eyeing the card that will enable them to stay in the Kingdom.

“The new system will be similar to the US residence model. The Saudi government is interested in taking advantage of foreign investors and extraordinary expats,” bin Jumaa said.

Awad Al-Assiri, a Shoura Council member, previously told Arab News that the plan would be discussed in the body’s full sessions, in the same way other legislation is studied before being passed to the Cabinet for approval.

“The green card will attract foreign investment to the Kingdom. Many expatriates will take advantage of the new program. At the same time, the Kingdom will benefit from the fees paid by expats to have a green card,” he said.

The system is expected to generate around $10 billion annually through reduced remittances and other sources, besides bringing in billions of dollars in foreign investment, say economic experts.

The plan will abolish the existing sponsorship system, with expatriates required to pay Zakat and possibly value-added tax.

The card will also allow them to own property and undertake business activities. The Kingdom is home to over 10 million foreign workers. Saudi Green Card System For Expats

Source : http://www.arabnews.com/node/939276/saudi-arabia

Saudi Arabia’s plan to issue permanent residence or “green cards” to foreign workers has been warmly welcomed by the expatriate community.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman disclosed plans for issuing such cards similar to the US green card system that allows hiring more foreign workers for a fee.

The plan will abolish the existing sponsorship system for holders, who will be required to pay zakat and value-added taxes, if any, besides premiums on insurance, etc. They can own property and undertake commercial, industrial and related activities.

“The plan is very welcome for those living here for over 40 years. I would also suggest that naturalization be given to those who have at least one child willing to serve in the armed forces in any capacity,” said Amir Qayyum, a business development executive from India.

“This is actually in recognition of the universal human rights of residency. We are glad to see the host government extending such a privilege to deserving expats,” said John Monterona, convener of the new OFW Forces Worldwide.

A senior systems engineer at Tawuniya, Saleh Ampaso Bucay, who has been working here since 1992, described the move as a dream come true.

“I am just like many other expatriates who have spent more than half of their lives in this country. All my children were born here. So it is really a great honor if this privilege of either permanent residence or a green card is granted to us,” Bucay observed.Saudi Green Card System For Expats

He added that as a Muslim, it will also be a great opportunity to work hand in hand with the citizens in developing the country and protecting it from the enemies of Islam. “I love this country and would like to die and be buried here,” he said.

Gilbert G. Alarcon, senior ISO system auditor at Dar Arriyadh Consultants, said it is a good development as expats already consider Saudi Arabia their second home. “The feeling of acceptance in retrospect gives more meaning to an already fruitful partnership and cooperation between the citizens and expats.”

Rey Eduard Quiblat Umel, an architect and a project engineer, termed King Salman’s wisdom and vision “very exemplary.” The Saudi-Philippine partnership will increase by leaps and bounds, boosting the development of their peoples, he said.

“This will also help the Kingdom’s economy and increase its revenues. It will bolster their manpower without relying on oil,” said Jehad Zacaria Pangcoga, from the Philippines.

Green Card holding expatriates Cannot offer these Facilities:

Green Card holding expatriates would not be able to vote in elections.

They would not be able to hold any public office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

They would not be able to remain outside of the KSA for a long period of time.

They would not be allowed to enlist in to the Saudi Armed Forces

Saudi Green Card System For Expats

Saudi Arabia Prison Images

Inside a typical prison in Saudi Arabia

Prisoners in Saudi Arabia have access to an education with classrooms and teachers. (Supplied)

Commonly in the middle east a prison is some stone structure. Expect cells. The ones I have seen have like beds often in two layers. Maybe 6 to 8 beds in a cell. The cell door is rarely locked but can be. Food is fairly basic. Expect maybe an egg, some bread, some butter. Dinner is some biryani like rice with chicken. Water is from clean taps. Toilets are holes in the ground and you need to wash your end with your left hand and available water. It takes some practice. Inmates frequently visit other cells. That said, it is not a hotel like in most of europe. The ones I have been in did not have TV and very little else to do than chat with others.

Prisoners with good behavior are rewarded with upgraded sleeping quarters.

Inside a prison sleeping cell.

Another look at accommodation inside a Saudi prison showing a decorated living area.

Prisoners are tasked with performing their own laundry.

Inside a dining hall in one of Saudi Arabia's prisons.

The courtyard where prisoners are allowed to exercise.

Image Source: https://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/photo-gallery/2016/12/24/Take-a-look-inside-a-typical-prison-in-Saudi-Arabia.html

Saudi Arabia is home to over three million Indian expatriates. A large number of Indian prisoners are currently serving sentences in different jails across the kingdom.

In addition to social and psychological care, health care is guaranteed for prisoners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Besides, the Saudi government and the charities take care of the prisoner's family and give them every help and support.

This continuous support helps rehabilitating prisoners and encourages them be good members of the society again.

Below are some of the healthcare programs offered to prisoners all over the kingdom:

Health care

Main prisons include integrated dispensaries that offer comprehensive medical services; they are as well responsible for the cleanliness of prisons and prisoners.

The offered health care includes:

1- Preventive health care:

• Making sure that new prisoners are not infected with contagious diseases.
• Monitoring prisoners' personal cleanliness.
• Vaccinating prisoners against contagious diseases.
• Examining prisons' staff.
• Examining prisoners to make sure they are free from infectious deceases.
• Assuring cleanliness of prisons facilities.
• Getting Municipalities health authorities' help in pest control and other areas of preventive care.

2- Treatment:

• Establishing health centers with specialized departments in the main prisons that are open around the clock.
• Establishing health centers in the branch prisons to provide first aids when needed.
• Small branch prisons refer patients to the general and specialized hospitals.
• If a prisoner's case is critical, his/her family is notified and allowed to visit him/her.
• The appropriate health care provided by prisons help prisoners keep fit and make them get used to healthy habits. Health care also help keep the prisoner's morale good. In addition to protecting prisons environment against infectious diseases, the provided health care help rehabilitate prisoners.

The social workers duties include the following:

• Examining the prisoner's case once he arrives at prison.
• If the prisoner supports a family, the social worker registers number of the family members, the family's financial resources, and address. This data goes to the social insurance authority to provide the prisoner with economic assistance.
• Keeping a file that contains all data about the arrested/prisoner including family conditions, relations and the clashes with others.
• Meeting the prisoner to know his/her needs.
• Watching the prisoner's ability to get along well with other prisoners.
• Studying the prisoner family's case and urging the social insurance authority and charities to help his/her family.
• Preparing seminars and lectures concerning taking care of prisoners.
• Completing studies and researches on the problems encountered by individual and groups of prisoners, and planning for solving the problems systematically.
• Training prisoners on practicing exercises and participating in social activities, this participation may minimize chances of making problems in the prison.
• Before releasing a prisoner, the social worker helps prepare him/her for living out of prison. The social worker also prepares the prisoner's family to receive him/her and handles problems that may face the released prisoner.
• The psychological specialist studies the prisoner's mental and psychological state and the factors that may affect him/her; then he suggests a comprehensive plan to relieve the prisoner's tension and help him/her get rid of the psychological pressure.
• The social worker and the psychological specialist work together on solving the prisoner's problems and helping him develop self-confidence and make the best use of rehabilitation programs.
• The social worker works with the psychiatrist on studying, diagnosing, and treating some cases that need care and follow-up.

Continued care:

Once the prisoner arrives at prison, the specialized people take care of him/her; they also take care of the prisoner's family members to protect them against being involved in criminal activities. The specialised people qualify the prisoner for earning living and leading a happy life after release.

The concerned staff members give the released prisoner all the required support needed to rejoin the society. The team keep taking care of the released prisoners; they guide and support them to refrain from getting involved in criminal activities again. The team provides financial support in cooperation with the Social Insurance, the charities and the other concerned parties.

The general administration of consequent care in the Ministry of Social Affairs take care of the released prisoners, give them training and help them get jobs that suit their potentials.

Taking care of narcotics and drugs addicts (in prison and after release)

Medical dispensaries in prisons provide medical and psychological care for the narcotics addicts prisoners. Every dispensary's team includes a Psychiatrist who takes care of the narcotics addicts prisoners and refer them to "Al-Amal" hospitals when needed.

Men of religion also preach the addicts about the harms of narcotics and drugs. Committee of the Convicted also studies the case of every one of the addicts prisoners and advise him/her to avoid taking narcotics/drugs. The committee works in cooperation with the concerned parties to watch the released prisoner and help him/her repent. Before releasing an addict prisoner, the committee gets a report that proves his/her blood is free from narcotics and drugs.

The social worker plays an important role in studying the case and finding the reasons of deviation.

In accordance with HRH the Minister of Interior's directives, the concerned parties help the released prisoners find jobs that suit their potentials.

If the released prisoner is still in need of medical care, she/he is referred to one of "Al-Amal" hospitals as a normal citizen, not a prisoner.