Saudi Arabia started on Sunday the implementation of the new visa fees. Under the new scheme, the fee for a single entry visa into the Kingdom is SR2,000. But the fee is waived if the visitor is entering Saudi Arabia for the first time to perform Haj or Umrah. Expatriates living in the Kingdom now have to pay SR200 for a single trip out of the country. The visa is valid for two months, and every additional month, within the duration of the expatriate's residence permit, costs SR100, the Directorate General of Passports said. A six month multiple-entry visa will now cost SR3,000, a one year multiple-entry visa will cost SR5,000, while a two year multiple-entry visa will cost SR8,000. The Saudi Cabinet has also made it clear that these changes will not impact any bilateral deals already signed by Saudi Arabia and other countries. As for transit visas, their new fee will be SR300. Exit visa fees for anyone leaving the Kingdom through its seaports will be SR50. Exit and re-entry visa fee for multiple trips will be SR500 for three months. SR200 will be charged for each additional month till the validity of residence permit. New traffic law, fines The Cabinet approved amendment to Article 69 of the Traffic Law so as to make stunt driving a traffic offense for which violators will face the seizure of vehicle for 15 days and a fine of SR20,000 for the first offense. For second violations the seizure of vehicle increases to 30 days, with a fine of SR40,000. In both cases, the violator will be referred to the court to consider jail terms. For third violations, the vehicle will be seized and a fine of SR60,000 will be issued — the violator will be referred to the court. The seizure or confiscation of the vehicle will not be applicable to rented or stolen vehicles. The Cabinet also approved amendment to the Article 70 by which anyone who takes and uses the driving license or vehicle registration card (istimara) of another person, or uses it for a mortgage will face a fine of not less than SR1,000, but no more than SR2,000. New incentive, bonus system A Royal Decree announced 20% cut in ministers' pay, and reduction in housing and car allowances for members of the Shoura Council whose salaries were cut by 15%. Overtime bonuses were curbed at between 25% and 50% of basic salaries, while annual leave may no longer exceed 30 days. An exception will be made for troops involved in combat along the southern border and abroad as part of an 18-month military intervention led by Saudi Arabia in neighboring Yemen. Gregorian calendar Another decision that came into effect on Sunday was to base public sector salaries on the Gregorian calendar. The decision to switch from the lunar-based Hijri calendar brings the public sector in line with the way private sector employees are paid. The Hijri calendar is made up of 12 months of 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the moon, and the year is usually 354 days, 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. Civil service reforms Another important measure which was implemented on Sunday was mandatory assessment to determine government servants' eligibility for a bonus or pay increase. Under the new system, 1.5 million Saudis working in the government sector will be subject to job performance evaluations and no longer have immunity from dismissal.
