The aim of the decision is to prepare a new mechanism and to regulate and improve the visa issuing procedures for residency affairs. The new rule applies on both family and tourist visit visas and will be effective until further notice.

- The Ministry in its statement said that the decision was made after the instructions from First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, to allow Residency Affairs Department to prepare a new mechanism with regulations to organize and improve the visa issuing process. Read : Abuse of domestic workers is a crime and this is the penalty for it in Saudi Arabia