Article 5 of the Saudi Privileged Residency Law

This article regulates the stage of studying the application after it is submitted, and specifies who holds the decision to grant.

• When does the study begin? After the requirements referred to in Article 4 are met, namely: a valid passport; the applicant being at least 21 years of age; proof of his financial solvency; a criminal record showing he has no convictions; a health report showing he is free of infectious diseases, dated no more than 6 months before the date of applying; his residency being lawful if he applies from inside the Kingdom; in addition to any special conditions added as needed.
• Who studies it? The Privileged Residency Center.
• What does it consider? Approval of granting the applicant privileged residency, in accordance with the provisions of the Law and the Regulations.
• Who issues the decision? Approval is issued by decision of the head of the Center.

The important phrase in the article is "unless the public interest requires otherwise"; meeting the conditions does not mean that the grant becomes an automatic right, as the Center may still consider the public interest. The article sets no period for studying the application.

After approval is issued, the procedures move on to Article 6, which requires the applicant, within 30 days of being notified of the approval, to pay the fee and submit a medical insurance document, failing which his application is considered cancelled. The article's current wording was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/84) dated 11/6/1445 AH.