The Shoura Council, in two weeks, is expected to issue a decision slashing the entry visa fees of housemaids to SR500 and residency permit (Iqama) fees to SR100. Upon finalization, the Council is to submit the proposal to relevant authorities, Al-Hayat Arabic newspaper said. According to the proposal, the new entry visa fee of SR500 is for first-time applicants and SR500 will be added at the time of subsequent renewal of the visa. Similarly, the Iqama fees will be SR100 for the first time, SR200 in the second, and SR300 in the third and beyond. A source at the Council's financial committee, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the decision was supported by all of the committee members and that it comes in accordance with Article 23 of the Council's System. Shoura members Mohammad Al-Quaihis and Dr. Abdullah Al-Dosari were the prime motivators of the move, sources said. The members claimed that a high fee was levied for recruitment and for the Iqama in order to deter employers from recruiting workers from abroad, but the strategy has failed. As such they did not see any justification in continuing the practice. The high fees, the members claimed, would lead to other issues like forgery.
