Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Foreign husbands of Saudi women and non-Saudi wives of Saudi men must find a job and transfer their sponsorship within two months after their separation from Saudi spouses due to the death or divorce, according to a circular issued by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The exercise must be done in coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, according to Abdul Majeed Al-Rashoudi, deputy minister of Human Resources and Social Development.

In the circular, a copy of which was seen by Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Al-Rashoudi said that the foreign husband and wife must leave the Kingdom if they fail to find a job during the stipulated period.

As for the sons and daughters of Saudi women in their marriage with their foreign spouses, their sponsorship shall be transferred to another employer after the death of their mothers after they reach the age of 18.

The circular, which is addressed to the directors of the ministry’s branches in various regions of the Kingdom, stated that it is necessary to prove that their marriages were solemnized with the approval of the competent authorities before completing the transfer of the service and that a certified copy of the marriage contract shall be attached. There should also be a valid passport that enables them to return at any time in their country. Moreover, the consent of the employer either for the transfer of service or termination of the contractual relationship with him is a must. This is also applicable to sons and daughters of a Saudi woman married to a foreigner.

At present, the ministry allows both sons and daughters of Saudi women married to foreign nationals to work in professions that are restricted to Saudis, provided that their mothers are sponsors. As for the foreign husband of a Saudi woman, he is allowed to work in the private sector without transferring sponsorship but he is not counted in the percentage of Nitaqat Saudization.

The Ministry of Human Resources announced the Saudization of several sales jobs in the sectors of coffee, tea, sugar, honey, spices, fruits and vegetables, dates, cleaning materials, plastics, grains, seeds, flowers, plants and agricultural materials, drinking water and beverages, gifts and luxuries, handicrafts and antiques, toys, meat and fish, eggs, dairy products and vegetable oils, sale of books, stationery items, and student services.