By Adnan Al-Shabrawi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Several expatriates have urged the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) to allow them to renew the residence permits (iqamas) of their children above the age of 25 until the completion of their higher studies.

However, Lt. Col. Badr Al-Quraini, spokesman of the Jawazat, said that there are strict regulations that the iqamas of expatriate workers’ dependents who cross the age 25 will not be renewed.

Under the Jawazat rules, iqamas of girls between the age of 18 and 25 will only be renewed on the submission of certificates showing that they are still unmarried. In the case of boys, iqamas in the above age group will only be renewed on the submission of certificates showing that they are pursuing higher studies.

But many expatriates urged the authorities to renew iqamas of their children who are above 25 years of age and are pursuing university studies, especially in medicine and engineering.