JEDDAH: The Directorate General of Passports has formed a committee to issue residence permits to the children of expatriates who have reached the age at which they should have an Iqama if they are staying in the country, said Brig. Salim Al-Zahrani, director of the Directorate General of Passports in the Makkah Province.
Al-Zahrani called on expatriates or their children to meet with the committee as soon as possible at the Expatriates’ Department to go through the formality. He said this is necessary or else they would be considered as violating the Kingdom’s residency laws, something that can lead to punishment including deportation.
“The Passport Department is keen to correct the status of the children of expatriates who do not have legal residency permits and who were born in the Kingdom,” Al-Zahrani said.
He explained that the father or child should approach the committee, which will study the case and decide whether to issue Iqamas. Permits will be given after applicants are fingerprinted to ensure they do not have criminal records. Al-Zahrani said the Iqamas will be valid for 12 or 24 months and that the children will be on the father’s sponsorship.
