I am writing with regard to the post "Don't wait for permanent residency in Saudi Arabia" (May 23). Expatriates must understand that they entered Saudi Arabia on pilgrim, family, visit or work visas. A work visa lets them work legally, receive an iqama (residence permit), open a bank account, receive medical care, and earn money for their families and children's education. What is the desperate need for expats to have permanent residency or a green card that might lead to citizenship? All expats visit their home countries on annual vacation, so they have no problem renewing or using their passports. Avid1111, Online response Please tell me how many companies provide good salaries, medical facilities for families and annual vacations. I would guess not more than 20 to 30 percent of Saudi companies do so. Even if you work your entire life here, you will be considered an expat. We just ask to be appreciated for our hard work and treated like fellow Muslims. Atiq, Online response If you have allowed someone to work here for 10 or 20 years or more and you still treat them as visitors with work visas instead of as migrants then you are making a mistake. They don't want a passport but rather the right to stay as lawful residents after serving the country for 10 or 20 years. If you have no intention of having foreign workers in the future then you are isolating yourself from the rest of the world. It is a very conservative policy not to have an open labor market. Aseem, Online response
