Saudi to Cover Government Fees for Displaced Expats from Neighbouring Countries

Saudi Arabia will cover government fees for displaced expatriates from neighbouring countries permitted to rectify their status within the Kingdom for four years.

The decision was made during the weekly session of the Council of Ministers chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The exemption includes residency permit (iqama) fees, work permit fees, transfer of service fees, profession change fees and fees for private sector employees, applicable for four years from their status rectification upon arrival.

Moreover, the state will cover previously incurred fees and fines related to residency law violations for both individuals and their companions.

Following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosary stated the Cabinet's decision to amend the Traffic Law. The Ministry of Education was tasked with applying provisions from the Municipal Real Estate Regulation concerning real estate investment deeds.

At the session's outset, the Crown Prince expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia's successful hosting of millions of Umrah pilgrims during Ramadan, attributing this success to divine grace and King Salman's leadership. He praised government agencies' efforts in serving pilgrims.

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on a message from the Ethiopian prime minister, focusing on bilateral relations and cooperation.

The Cabinet discussed enhancing cooperation with various countries and organisations for regional stability, prosperity and sustainable development.

It applauded the launch of the Vision for Regional Security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Saudi Arabia's selection to chair the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 2025.

Domestically, the Cabinet reviewed outcomes from the governors' annual meeting, emphasising comprehensive development and improved services for citizens and expatriates.

It noted successful job creation and training initiatives, resulting in a record-low national unemployment rate of 7.7 per cent for Saudi citizens in Q4 2023.

The Cabinet reaffirmed the commitment to preserving historical sites to achieve Vision 2030 goals and praised completion of a project supporting 56 buildings in the Historic Jeddah Neighbourhood.

Approvals included memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for political consultations, economic cooperation agreements and agreements in various fields with countries like San Marino, Serbia, Barbados, Mali and Bahrain.

Additionally, the Cabinet authorised discussions and signings of MoUs in combating terrorism, seawater desalination, and cooperation in public policy and nuclear safety and radiation protection with organisations and countries such as Pakistan, South Korea, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

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