ALL SAUDI GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY

 All Saudi government institutions began to function normally. In the wake of the Kovid expansion, the restrictions imposed on employees have been completely lifted from today. All employees of private companies have started coming to work.

Restrictions on government employees in the wake of the Kovid expansion have been completely lifted from today. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development had yesterday directed employees to stop working from home and return to work from today.

As the spread of the disease began to decline, workers began returning to work in stages from last Shawwal 8 onwards. From today, all government employees have started attending work. Following in the footsteps of government employees, employees in many private companies have started arriving from today. Although most private companies were already operating, many companies had imposed restrictions on the number of employees.

In addition, private companies, which have not yet been fully operational, will be operational from today. Strict precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of Kovid. The working hours of government employees are arranged in three shifts.

WHEN WILL AIR SERVICES START? THE SAUDI MINISTRY OF HEALTH EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THE QUESTION

The Ministry of Health with an explanation to the question of when to start international flights to Saudi Arabia. The team of experts has learned about starting air services. Accordingly, air services will be started in compliance with the country's health protocol.

The ministry said that so far all the resumed systems in Saudi Arabia are based on scientific study. This has led to a significant reduction in cases in the country. Airline services will follow the same pattern. The ministry's sole focus now is on maintaining the health of both natives and foreigners. It is with this in mind that each system is restarted after Kovid. Consider this and start air services.

In the first phase, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued a circular to prepare for the repatriation of Saudi relatives and family members abroad. Following this, the Saudis began to enter the country by land through the Eastern Province. The rest of the contract will be opened soon. This is followed by air bubble-based flights. The date and time will be announced by the concerned department, the health ministry said.

 

THE SAUDI MINISTRY OF HEALTH SAYS IT IS STUDYING THE RESUMPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

 

 JEDDAH: SAUDI MINISTRY OF HEALTH SPOKESMAN DR. MOHAMMED ABDUL ALI HAS SAID THAT EXPERTS AND SPECIALISTS ARE STUDYING THE RESUMPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS WITHIN SAUDI ARABIA WITHOUT RAISING THE HEALTH THREAT.

THE SPOKESPERSON SAID THAT MANY OF THE PREVIOUSLY SUSPENDED ACTIVITIES WERE RESUMED AFTER ADEQUATE STUDY AND THAT THE SAME SYSTEM WOULD BE USED IN FURTHER MATTERS.

DR. MOHAMMAD ABDUL ALI WAS RESPONDING TO A QUESTION AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE CORONA INCIDENT.

THE SPOKESPERSON SAID THAT THE DECISIONS WILL BE TAKEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROTOCOLS RESPECTING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF BOTH NATIONALS AND FOREIGNERS IN THE COUNTRY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH SAID THAT THE RESUMPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO SAUDI ARABIA GAVE HOPE TO THOUSANDS OF EXPATRIATES IN THE COUNTRY.

A GROUP OF FOUR ROBBERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED BY SECURITY FORCES IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE

 

Dammam: A group of four robbers, including an Indian national, have been arrested by security forces in the eastern province, Eastern Province Assistant Spokesman Capt. Mohammed Aldirahim said. A group of three Bangladeshis in their 30s and 40s and an Indian man were arrested. The group had been stealing cables, generators and aluminum from buildings under construction in Hafar Albat and selling them. The group was found to have stolen items valued at 70,000 riyals. He said the case against the accused has been handed over to the public prosecution after completing the legal process. 

A nine-member vehicle robbery gang was arrested by security forces in Riyadh yesterday. A group of eight Sudanese and one Egyptian were arrested. The group hijacked unidentified vehicles, took them to two secret bases in the Al Naseem and Al Hair districts, demolished them and turned them into spare parts for sale. Fifteen vandalized vehicles and another stolen vehicle were found at the group's bases. Riyadh provincial assistant police spokesman Major Khalid al-Quraidis said the case against the accused had been handed over to the public prosecution for legal action. 

IN SAUDI ARABIA, PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES ARE BACK IN OFFICE

 Riyad- corona virus in Saudi Arabia, public sector employees back to work in the background to work from home for months. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said that the employees returned to work on Sunday following the guidelines, preventive measures and protocols laid down to ensure a safe work environment.

The Ministry has set a number of conditions for the return of all public sector employees to work, including working hours. The use of fingerprints to enter the workplace has been suspended.

The head of the institution can give permission to the competent employees to continue working from home. However, the heads of the companies have been directed to ensure that the number of employees working from home does not exceed 25 per cent of the total number of employees.

The ministry has directed all public sector employees to return to work in their offices from August 30 after reviewing the health indicators and data in various cities and regions of the country.

Authorities opposed the protest with all available police forces, special services and the army. "

 

Trucks from all over the world were allowed to enter Saudi Arabia

 

Trucks from all over the world were allowed to enter Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: Saudi Customs has announced that trucks from all over the world will be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia.

Health precautions applied by other countries to truck drivers coming from Saudi Arabia will also apply to those coming to Saudi Arabia.

All trucks will be allowed access as part of the easing of precautionary measures at land ports.

Saudiization to the Bakhalas

 Saudiization to the Bakhalas

 Jeddah: Abdul Salam al-Tuwaijiri, director of commercial privatization at the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources, has said that a new study is being conducted on the Saudiization of bakhalas.

Tuwaijiri pointed out that a study is underway to expedite the implementation of Saudiization with the help of other government agencies.

He added that Bakala was learning about Saudiization as part of the country's reshuffling of the retail sector and the cessation of benami business.

The Ministry of Commerce has given 180 days to benami businessmen to rectify their status. Tuwaijiri said that many private companies have expressed their willingness to provide employment to the natives.

It is certain that if Saudiization becomes mandatory in the Bakhalas, it will adversely affect many expatriates, including Malayalees.

Bakhala employee fined for not wearing mask

Riyadh - Afif Baladia fined Bakhala worker for not wearing mask The corporation has handed over the case against him to the concerned department for further action. A Bakhala employee who was not wearing a mask had a walkout with one of the users. The Saudi citizen asked the worker to wear a mask as defined by the relevant departments to prevent the spread of corona.

But the worker refused to wear the mask. During the ensuing dispute, the Asian national challenged the Saudi citizen, saying he was not afraid of anyone, including the municipality, police and the governorate, and asked them to do what they could. 

The footage was taken by a Saudi citizen and posted on social media. Afif Baladia said that as soon as the incident came to their notice, the municipal official inspected the Bakhala and fined the worker and handed it over to the concerned department for further action. 

 

SAUDIIZATION IN THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING FROM JANUARY 14

Riyadh - A spokesman for the Saudi Council of Engineers, Engineer Abdul Nasir Saif Al-Abdullatif, said the government would provide the necessary impetus for the successful implementation of Saudiization in the engineering sector. It has been decided to implement 20 per cent Saudiization in the engineering sector. It will take effect four and a half months later from Jamadul Akhir (January 14). 

Incentives will be implemented to attract Saudi engineers to the job market, provide them with attractive working conditions, enable Saudi engineers through training and ensure job security. Only Saudi engineers who are accredited by the Saudi Council of Engineers will be considered for inclusion in the Saudiization. 

The Ministry of Manpower and Social Development will take disciplinary action against companies that do not implement a certain percentage of Saudiisation in the engineering sector. Penalties will be imposed, including suspension of online services to institutions. Saudi Arabia will enforce a number of penalties in the engineering workforce, including suspension of new visas in the engineering profession, ban on sponsorship change of foreign engineers, ban on change of profession, and suspension of issuance of new work permits to foreign engineers and renewal of work permits. 

Penalties will also be imposed on foreigners caught violating the profession as stated in the work permit, while working in the engineering professions. Incentives and penalties will force companies to ensure the Saudi Council of Engineers registration and hire Saudi engineers for the engineers who work under them.

Since its inception, the Saudi Council of Engineers has been pushing for Saudiisation in the field of engineering. Training programs are being implemented for newly graduated Saudi engineers to nurture their skills. 

Foreign engineers recruited to Saudi Arabia on a new visa are required to have five years of experience in coordination with the Ministry of Manpower and Social Development. The Saudiization decision guarantees Saudi engineers a minimum wage of not less than seven thousand riyals. 

Engineer Abdul Nasir Saif Al-Abdullatif said that the decision to implement Saudiization in the field of engineering was taken after conducting detailed studies and conducting workshops with the participation of relevant departments, including the Saudi Council of Engineers. The new decision applies to all companies that employ five or more engineers. The minimum wage for Saudi engineers working in private companies should not be less than 7,000 riyals for inclusion in the repatriation. The Ministry of Manpower and Social Development said the new decision aims to provide employment to 7,000 Saudi engineers in the first phase. Twenty per cent Saudiization will make it possible to create jobs for all indigenous engineers currently employed in the country.

 

Currently, there are about 5,000 Saudi engineers. Twenty percent Saudiization will also make it possible to create jobs for those who graduate with an engineering degree in the near future. The Ministry of Manpower and Social Development has stated that the Saudiization ratio applicable to private companies and institutions will increase every year according to the number of engineering graduates graduating each year. The Saudiization decision applies to 117 professions in the engineering field. 

 

MURUR SAYS VISITORS TO SAUDI ARABIA CAN DRIVE WITH A DRIVER'S LICENSE IN THEIR HOME COUNTRY

Jeddah: Visitors to Saudi Arabia can use their own driving license or international driving license to drive, according to the Saudi Traffic Department.

Murur was responding to a question on whether a driver's license could be issued to a Saudi visitor.

Saudi visitors can drive with a foreign driving license or an international driving license. "It is a condition that the driver's license must have a one-year remaining period," Murur said.

GOOD NEWS FOR SAUDI EXPATS; VACATION RE-ENTRY VISAS HAVE BEEN RENEWED

 Jeddah: Saudi Arabia has renewed the re-entry visas of Saudi expatriates who have gone on Javasat leave.

The last date for the re-entry visa of many was August 20 after the last free renewal. But when checked today, it can be seen that the re-entry visas of many have been renewed till September 30.

The re-entry visa was renewed after paying 100 riyals a month through sponsors through Abshir and Muqeem, but thousands of expatriates expected Javasat to renew automatically.

Being in the country, many people have many limitations in contacting sponsors and asking for renewals.

However, with the renewal of re - entry visas automatically, many expatriates in the country have been greatly relieved.

SAUDI JAVASAT DEMANDS PAYMENT OF TELECOM BILLS TO GET EXIT VISA

 Saudi Javasat demands payment of telecom bills to get exit visa

 Riyadh: Saudi Javasat has demanded that foreigners pay mobile and telephone bills in their name in order to be issued a final exit visa.

Javasat was responding to a question on whether one has to pay the bills of a mobile company to get an exit visa.

In response to a question, Javasat explained that the system requires that all transactions be completed for an exit issue.

The last corona patient at Riyadh King Salman Hospital was also discharged from the hospital

 Riyadh: The last corona patient to be treated at Riyadh King Salman Hospital has been discharged after recovering from an illness.

Earlier, it was reported that corona treatment units in some hospitals in different parts of Saudi Arabia were closed due to shortage of patients.

The number of active and critical cases in the country is declining day by day. 22136 patients are currently undergoing treatment. Of these, 1601 are in critical condition.

In the last 24 hours alone, 1,013 patients have been cured, bringing the total number of coronaviruses in Saudi Arabia to 2,84,945.

Newly reported 33 corona deaths. This brings the total number of corona deaths in Saudi Arabia to 3755.

SAUDI CIVIL AVIATION REITERATES THAT NO DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR THE RESUMPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.

Jeddah: A date has not yet been set for the resumption of international flights, Saudi Civil Aviation has repeatedly said on its Twitter account.

Gaca said the decision would be taken after evaluations by the concerned authorities and any decision would be made public through official accounts.

At the same time, some media outlets have reported that teachers working under private school management have been allowed to return to Saudi Arabia.

According to reports, the teachers' return journey was given the green light by the committee which gave permission for the trips considering the special circumstances.

The result of the PCR test taken within 48 hours before the return journey should be produced. Access is allowed only if the corona is negative.

IN SAUDI ARABIA, THE PROCESS OF CHANGING SPONSORSHIP FOR DEPENDENTS HAS BEGUN

 The Javasat section explained the steps to be taken to transfer the work visa holders in Saudi Arabia to work visas. The change can be made by submitting an application on the portal of the Ministry of Labor, Human Resources and Social Development to the institution taking over the sponsorship.

The Javasat division has released the procedures for changing the sponsorship of holders of dependent visas of foreign workers. For this, the first sponsorship institution has to apply voluntarily through the portal of the Ministry of Labor, Human Resources and Social Development. The application for parental approval will then be submitted to the current sponsor's Abshir system. The application will be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs with the consent of the sponsor. Javasat said the change would be possible with the approval of the ministry.

The application will be automatically invalidated if the institution has not completed the next steps within 14 days and obtained the iqama. Dependent must be at least 18 years of age to be able to change sponsorship. The application will be considered subject to conditions such as the duration of Iqama of the dependent and the current sponsor, the foreigner.

THE SPONSORSHIP OF 980 PEOPLE WAS CHANGED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE EMPLOYER

Riyadh - The Labor Office under the Ministry of Manpower and Social Development in Riyadh last year (Hijra 1441) transferred the sponsorship of 980 foreign workers to other institutions without the permission of the employer. The sponsorship of workers who have not renewed their Iqama after the expiry date and who have not been paid for three consecutive months is allowed to be transferred to other institutions without the permission of the employer. 

The Riyadh Labor Office also issued final exits last year to 12,433 foreigners without the permission of sponsors. The Riyadh Labor Office granted work permits to 263 doctors and engineers to relocate. The Riyadh Labor Office completed the process on 16,706 applications received for the cancellation of Huroub last year. The Labor Office completed the proceedings on applications from employers and foreign workers to remove the fake and non-fake hurub. 

The Riyadh Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said foreign workers can approach the Labor Office directly without having to approach their employer for a work permit for a final exit visa. It stipulates that the foreigner's iqama or work permit must have expired. 

The employer does not have the right to remove the foreign worker after twenty days from hurub except in special circumstances. The foreign worker also has the right to cancel the hurub if the foreign worker is able to establish that the hurub was forged by the employer. The law does not allow a foreign worker to return to his or her former employer in such circumstances. Instead, the foreign worker can transfer the sponsorship to the new employer. 

Services from the Ministry of Manpower and Social Development will be suspended for one year, except for renewal of work permit for the first time, if it is proved that the foreign worker has been forged.

 The Riyadh Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said that services from the Ministry will be suspended for three years, except for the renewal of work permits for the second offender, and for five years, except for the renewal of the work permit for the third offender.

 

PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN RIYADH HAVE REDUCED FEES

 

Riyadh - 1029 private and international schools operating in Riyadh have reduced tuition fees. Private schools have reduced tuition fees in response to the Corona crisis and national responsibility. Riyadh Head of Education Hamad bin Nasir Al Wuhaibi congratulated the school owners for reducing the tuition fees. In other provinces, private and international schools have reduced tuition fees. 

NEED TO APPLY ON THE MINISTRY OF MANPOWER PORTAL TO CHANGE THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE DEPENDENTS

 Riyadh - Private companies wishing to transfer sponsorship of dependents of foreign workers to their name must apply through the portal of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. 

Once the application process is complete, the status of the dependent will change to the status of waiting for parental approval for a change of sponsorship. After this, the manpower linked to the foreign worker Abshir has to log on to the portal of the Ministry of Social Development and agree or disagree with the change of sponsorship of the dependent. 

If the foreign worker agrees to change the sponsorship of the dependent, the Ministry of Manpower and Social Development will submit the application to the Ministry of Home Affairs for approval. Private companies should approach the Javasat branches within fourteen days of receiving the approval of the Home Ministry and complete the sponsorship change process. Failure to complete the procedure within the specified day will result in revocation of the sponsorship change permit. 

To complete the sponsorship change process, the fee has to be paid through the banks through Sadad Service. The sponsorship change fee is payable on the dependent's Iqama number. The age of the dependent must be over eighteen to complete the sponsorship change. And should not be one of the citizens of the country where sponsorship change is prohibited. The iqamas of the dependent and the sponsoring foreign worker must be valid and the worker must be employed. 

THE FIRST MOVIE THEATER IS COMING TO JUBAIL

 

Jubail- Saudi Arabia opens its first movie theater in the city of Jubail in the Eastern Province.

The General Commission for Audio Visual Media (GCAM) has approved the theater, which will start at Jubail Mall with five screens and 416 seats.

The first cinema hall in Saudi Arabia opened in April 2018 in Riyadh. It had earlier announced plans to open 40 theaters in 15 cities within five years.

Movie theaters in Saudi Arabia reopened in June with strict covid control measures.

JAVASAT TO ANNOUNCE SECOND PHASE OF ENTRY INTO SAUDI SOON; ADMISSION IS NOW OPEN TO DOMESTIC WORKERS ACCOMPANYING KAFEEL

 

 Riyadh: The Javasat authorities have come out with more details after the Saudis, their foreign relatives and foreign domestic workers were given the opportunity to enter Saudi Arabia by land by applying through Abshir.

Capt. Nasir al-Utaibi, the official spokesman for Saudi Jawzat, said that the first phase was announced and that the second phase would be announced soon and that domestic workers with Kafeel were now allowed to enter Saudi Arabia.

Capt. Nasir said the second phase would be announced soon in response to a question from a news anchor on the Al Iqbariya channel as to why only land access was currently allowed and air travel was not allowed.

 Access to Saudi Arabia is currently allowed through four entrances: King Fahad Causeway, Batha, Khafji and Arakai.

The main condition is that the next of kin of foreign Saudis and foreign workers intending to enter Saudi Arabia must keep in hand the result of the PCR test conducted within 48 hours to prove that the corona is negative.

OPPORTUNITY FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS TO ENTER SAUDI ARABIA BY LAND WITH SPONSORS

 

 Riyadh: In the current situation, Saudi domestic workers are allowed to enter the country with land sponsors. Only Saudis, their non-Saudi family members and domestic workers will be allowed to enter.

For this, the natives have to produce the documents proving their relationship with their associates. 

Foreigners entering in this way must take care of the test result within 48 hours of proving that the corona is negative.

At present, entry into Saudi Arabia is through the four borders of King Fahad Causeway, Khafji, Batha and Ruqai.

PUBLIC SECTOR ACTIVE IN SAUDI; EMPLOYEES WILL RETURN ON THE 30TH

 

Jeddah: Public sector employees will return to work in Saudi Arabia by the 30th of this month. The Ministry of Human Resource Development and Social Development has directed the staff to look into the health factors in various cities and governorates. Employees will work to maintain social distance in a situation where the Kovid fear is not completely eliminated. 

At the same time, the ministry has proposed to facilitate employees to work from home in a manner not exceeding 25 per cent of capacity. The National Disease Prevention and Control Center says people with infections must work from home. People over 65, with chronic lung disease, severe 

People who suffer from asthma, heart disease, hereditary immunodeficiency and obesity should work from home. 

In addition, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources has ordered that the decision not to operate the fingerprint login system be continued and that the work be carried out in a timely manner.

OLD HOUSE COLLAPSES IN JEDDAH; THREE DEAD AND 12 INJURED

Jeddah: An old house collapsed in the Ruwais district of southwestern Jeddah, killing three residents. Twelve people were rescued with injuries. 

The three-story building collapsed Saturday evening. Makkah Civil Defense spokesman Colonel Mohammed bin Usman Al-Qarani said the accident would be reported to the Unified Security Operations Center at 10.30pm. Immediately, members of the Civil Defense Rapid Response Force and rescue workers rushed to the scene and evacuated people from the area. The accident happened when a part of the three-storey house collapsed. Rescue teams arrived at the scene, inspected the wreckage and evacuated 15 people from under the building. Three of them were dead. The others who were injured were rushed to the hospital after receiving first aid. Colonel Mohammed al-Qarni said the search for the remains was ongoing. He added that police have launched an investigation. 

 

IQAMA RENEWAL FEES IN SAUDI ARABIA FOR 1442/2020

 Saudi Iqama Fees For 2020 (1442)

The Residence Permit In Saudi Arabia Is Known As Iqama Or Muqeem. Iqama Is Required To Renew Every Year Online. Iqama Renewal Requires Certain Payments (Work Permit Fees, Moi Iqama Fees, And Health Insurance Payments). If An Expatriate Has Family Members In His Sponsorship, He Must Pay The Dependent Levy To Get Renewed Iqama. Based On Earlier Official Statements, The Following Are The Iqama Renewal Fees For 2020.

House Drivers (Saiq Khas), Home-makers And Other Domestic Workers Are Exempt From Work Permit Fees (Maktab Amal Fees).

Small Establishments With Five Or Fewer Employees Are Also Exempt From Work Permit Fees (If The Owner Of The Firm Registered Himself As A Worker).

Expatriates Working In The Industrial Sector (Factory Workers) Will Also Be Exempt From The Work Permit Levy For A Period Of Five Years From Last Year.

The Saudi Government Has Announced An Exemption From The Expat Levy For Those Whose Iqama Expires Between March – 20 And June 30, 2020, By Extending Their Iqama By A Period Of Three Months Without Charge.

This Exemption Will Not Be Applicable To Those Iqama Has Already Expired Before 20th March 2020.

The Regular Iqama Fees Are As Follows,

Iqama Fees For 2020 (1442)

If Your Company Or Establishment’s 50 Percent Or More Employees Are Saudi Nationals, Iqama Fees Will Be As Follows:

Fee Description Fee In Sar

Work Permit Fees (Sr 700 / Month) 8,400.00

Moi Iqama Fees

650.00

Health Insurance (Average)

500.00

Total 9,550.00

If More Than 50 Percent Of The Workforce Are Expatriates Then The Iqama Fees Will Be,

Fee Description Fee In Sar

Maktab Amal Fees (Sr 800 / Month) 9,600.00

Moi Iqama Fees

650.00

Health Insurance (Average)

500.00

Total 10,750.00

Note:- The Above Figures Are Estimates And The Actual May Vary. The Work Permit Fee Calculation Is On The Basis Of Iqama Renewal From January 01 To December 31st.

Expat Dependent Levy

All Expat Residents In Saudi Arabia Who Are Sponsoring Dependents Will Have To Pay A Monthly Fee Of Sr 400 Per Dependent.

Iqama Expiry Penalty

If Your Iqama Expires, There Will Be A Penalty Of Sr 500 For The First Time And Sr 1000 For The Second Time On Failing To Renew The Iqama.

Iqama Renewal Is The Employer’s Responsibility

The Employer Is Responsible For Renewing The Iqama’s Of His Workers. As Per Article 40 (1) Of The Saudi Labor Law, It Is The Responsibility Of The Employer To Pay For The Iqama Renewal And Iqama Issuance Fee. As Per Article 144 Of The Saudi Labor Law, It Is The Responsibility Of The Employer To Provide Health Care And Insurance To Each Employee.

MOST OF THE BENAMI FIRMS HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF COMMERCIAL REGISTRATIONS IN THE NAME OF SAUDI WOMEN

Riyadh: Most of the benami firms have taken advantage of commercial registrations in the name of Saudi women, which are being run by foreigners in violation of the country's laws, Commerce Ministry spokesman Abdurrahman al-Hussein said. Statistics show that benami business is more prevalent in commercial registrations in the name of women. A spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said that women should be fully aware of the businesses they start using commercial registrations in their own name. 

Last Tuesday, the Saudi cabinet passed a new law that would provide harsher punishments for those accused in the benami business case. The offenders face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 50 lakh riyals.

 

SAUDI JAVASAT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE RE-ENTRY PERIOD OF EXPATRIATES STRANDED IN THE COUNTRY WILL BE EXTENDED

The Saudi Javasat department has announced that the re-entry period of expatriates stranded in the country will be extended. The expiration of the exit visa will also be extended due to non-availability of a flight to go home. Expatriates in Saudi Arabia and homeland are hoping that air services will start soon.

Many re-entry visas expire because they do not have access to the country. It was in this context that Javasat made this clear on Twitter in response to a question. Re-entry visa to Saudi Arabia will be extended. Preparations are underway for this. With this, people can return to Saudi Arabia once the flight service starts.

Re-entry can also be extended through the companies' Mukhim portal. If the visa of those who have hit the exit to go home expires, it will also be extended. An announcement in this regard will be made in the coming days. The expatriates hope that sympathetic action will be taken against those whose Iqama expires.

 

E-PAYMENT MANDATORY AT RETAIL OUTLETS FROM TUESDAY

• Sama instructs banks to make arrangements

Riyadh - The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), the central bank, has asked banks and payment service companies operating in the country to make point-of-sale equipment available to retailers. E-payments will be mandatory at retail outlets across the country from the 25th of this month. In this context, Sama has directed the banks and payment service companies to complete the necessary preparations in view of the large number of applications for the installation of e-payment systems. 

 The National Anti-Benami Business National Program has decided to make the e-payment system mandatory for all retailers from the 25th of this month. It is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority. 

In his directive to banks and payment service companies, Sama demanded that arrangements be made to open accounts and e-wallets for all merchants operating in the retail sector and to set up e-payment systems. 

E-payments have been mandatory since the end of last month in nine areas, including buffets, restaurants and coffee shops. Since the 28th of last month, online has been linked to nine sectors: restaurants, local cafes, buffets, food vendors, food preparation companies, juice and ice cream shops, seafood shops, fast food restaurants and coffee shops. 

Earlier, the e-payment system was mandatory for car repair workshops, establishments, laundries and barber shops, including ladies' beauty parlors, bazaars, mini-markets, petrol banks, car workshops-spare parts shops-auto upholstery works. The National Anti-Benami Program said that users can lodge complaints about companies that do not provide e-payment facility by calling 1900 or through an app launched by the Ministry of Commerce. 

E-payment systems are being made mandatory with the aim of ending the benami business trend and reducing cash transactions.

 

GOOD NEWS FOR SAUDI EXPATS; JAVASAT SAYS STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO RENEW RE-ENTRY VISAS AUTOMATICALLY

 Jeddah: Saudi Javasat responds by providing relief to expatriates who have returned home on re-entry visas from Saudi Arabia.

Javasat was responding to a question on Javasat's Twitter that his house driver's visa was about to expire today and what should I do, pay or renew?

Javasat replied that steps were being taken to automatically renew expired entry-entry visas and exit visas due to delays in travel due to the Corona crisis and that there was no need to approach other centers for this.

With the renewal of existing re-entry visas coming to an end on Thursday, August 20, many had resorted to renewing through Abshir or Muqeem.

 

SAUDI CABINET APPROVES NEW ANTI-BENAMI LAW; 5 YEARS IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF 50 LAKH RIYALS

 

 Riyadh: The Saudi cabinet on Tuesday approved Saudi Arabia's new anti-benami law, which includes heavy penalties and fines.

Violators face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 50 lakh riyals. Earlier, he was jailed for two years and fined one million riyals. In addition, earlier penalties, such as deportation and other revocation of the company's license, apply to life imprisonment in the case of a foreigner.

The law, passed by the Saudi Shura Council last month, aims to curb benami sources and eliminate the shadow economy, the commerce ministry said.

The new law requires that any information provided by benefactors be protected from inclusion in the case files. In addition, those who provide up to 30 percent of the fine will be rewarded.

The government had yesterday set up a special ministerial-level committee to prevent benami transactions such as foreigners secretly exercising ownership in the commercial sector in the name of Saudi citizens. In short, the Saudi authorities have decided to put their noses to the benefactors.

REPORTS THAT THE RE-ENTRY PERIOD OF VACATIONERS FROM SAUDI ARABIA CAN BE RENEWED ONLINE; EXPATRIATES AWAIT OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Riyadh: Expatriates are still awaiting the official announcement of re-entry visas as the maximum validity of Saudi Javasat automatically renewed re-entry visas expires on August 20.

Earlier, when asked about the renewal of re-entry on Saudi Javasat's social media account after August 20, he said that the employer could renew the re-entry of workers through Abshir or Muqeem.

According to some media reports, some companies have started renewing the re-entry visas of their domestic workers through Abshir or Muqeem.

According to reports, the renewal can be done after paying the iqama number at the rate of 100 riyals per month to extend the re-entry period. However, as Javasat has not yet made an official announcement on the matter, it is questionable whether such a re-entry should be renewed in this case.

This is because there are many people whose Iqama period is currently coming to an end and they are also limited in renewing their re-entry. The official decision on the iqama of such people is also known. It is hoped that the official announcement will be made in the coming days.