Some 1,000 dependent expatriate teachers in the private sector have rectified their status, local media reported.

A source said the process is in line with the Education Ministry's aim to regularize the status of expatriates already employed in the Kingdom instead of recruiting from abroad. This is on condition that there are no Saudis available for these posts and that expatriates pass the ministry's aptitude tests.

Every expatriate teacher should have a valid work permit, a degree in education, be in good health, not be above 60 years of age, have signed a contract with only one party, and not have a criminal record.

The ministry had earlier ordered all education departments to sign contracts with dependents of expatriates working in the country to regularize their status in compliance with the regulations laid down by the Labor and Interior Ministries.

Technical committees were formed to interview applicants. The Labor and Education Ministries agreed to allow foreign and private schools to issue visas for teachers for the next academic year and ban those who had resigned from getting visas for up to two years.

Other conditions include that every school must have a commercial permit, a certificate from the Zakat department, a certification stating that the facility is registered with social insurance, a list of registered staff, and a Labor Office file number.

The Education Ministry has allowed all foreign and private schools to apply for visas in various specializations except Islamic education, which are reserved for Saudis.

There are 27,000 male and female teachers working in private schools in the country. Foreigners own 85 international schools and Saudis 236 nationwide.