Saudi Shura member outlines conditions for green card eligibility

Fahd bin Jumaa, deputy chairman of the Saudi Shura council’s financial committee, has said nine conditions were set for expatriates to be eligible for green cards in the kingdom, Al-Watan newspaper reported on Thursday. 

Investors eligible for the green card should have high levels of education, attested by the proper qualifications. They should also be distinguished for innovative academic and practical skills.

Other conditions include high solvency, long-term investments, realizable investment gains, compliance with Saudization rules and ability to enhance the kingdom’s economic value.

The green card will be restricted to few expatriates, like doctors with specializations that will have no impact on the Saudization program.

Eligibility for green cards will be determined by the Saudi ministry of commerce and investment, bin Juma’a added.

However, the council member expected there to be low interest in the green card system, in light of the easier conditions for expatriates to invest in the kingdom. 

It was not immediately clear whether the council had made the decision to set such conditions.