Saudi Arabia announces major change in citizenship law
Applicant must meet certain conditions to become citizen: Only 18-year-olds can apply for citizenzship
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Saudi Arabia has made a major amendment to the Kingdom's citizenship law – under the new rule, children of Saudi women who are married to expats can now apply for citizenship after the age of 18.
The authorities approved an amendment to Article 8 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality System. The authority to grant citizenship has been given to the prime minister, a Saudi Gazette report said.
Article 8 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality System stipulates: “A person who is born in the Kingdom to a foreign father and a Saudi mother may be granted Saudi citizenship if certain requirements are met.”
Conditions include that the person needs to be fluent in Arabic language; must have permanent residence status in the Kingdom when he comes of legal age; he has to be of good conduct and sound character; should not have any criminal convictions or imprisonment for a period exceeding six months for any indecent act, the report further stated.
King Salman bin Abdul Aziz has issued one of his royal decrees and has set new rules of citizenship. He has mentioned the provisions when a person can get the citizenship of Saudi Arabia.
What are the new rules of citizenship?
If the father is a citizen of Saudi Arabia, then the child automatically gets citizenship. If the mother is a citizen of Saudi Arabia and the father is an expatriate, then the children will get citizenship after the age of 18 years. Some conditions will also be effective for acquiring citizenship.
Children should be born in gulf countries only. He should have good character. criminal cases should not be pending against them and they should know Arabic language. If they fulfill all these conditions then after the age of 18 they can get citizenship.