For long, we have been discussing the impact of Vision 2030 on the expats residing in Saudi Arabia. We know that the programs like Saudization, expat dependent fee and “A nation without violators” have affected the Expats of Saudi Arabia.

We all are keen to know that what would be the future of expats in Saudi Arabia due to such steps. People raise questions that if in future we would lose our diversity? Would Saudi Arabia be home to only Saudis? Would there be no expat in our country?

The very question when asked from the Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman by the Times Magazine has relaxed almost everyone. The reporter asked the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman about the expat’s future living in Saudi Arabia. The answer was indeed impressive.

The Crown Prince began his answer by assuring that not only the Saudi government but also the Saudis respect and care for the foreigners living in Saudi Arabia.

He said that these expats have contributed wisely for the uplift of the country and the country would be requiring their services for future development.

He said that currently, Saudi Arabia is a home to 10 million foreigners. We do not see a decrease in this number in future rather expect an increase as the development projects would require greater human resources.

He said that Saudi Arabia is heading towards achieving ambitions, ambitions that would create job opportunities for both Saudis and foreigners. The ambitions are to run massive development projects across Saudi Arabia.

Haven’t this statement turned the tables of opinions and anxiety? We all held the opinion that soon Saudi Arabia will be left with little or no foreigners. Yet the Crown Prince has the point here. Vision 2030 aims at developing Saudi Arabia. Development projects do create job opportunities!

If we talk about Expat dependent fee and Saudization here, let us make clear that these programs were initiated to encourage the firms to give preferences to Saudi nationals (on pure merits).

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