JEDDAH, 11 August — The Passport Department has said that it would start issuing iqamas (residence permits) valid for four years from Aug.10.
It said Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmad has approved the proposal made by the department in order to reduce workload at its offices.
"The iqamas will be issued for four years with the approval of employers and charging the same fees," Okaz newspaper reported quoting Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Al-Sajeeni, director general of the department. "The four-year-iqama will be restricted to expatriates holding university degrees in the first stage," Sajeeni pointed out.
The new measure will not be compulsory and the employers will not have the right to demand a refund of fees if services of an expatriate worker is terminated before the expiry of his iqama.
Sajeeni expressed hope that the new step would reduce workload at the passport offices in the country.
