Ali and Cochrane Comparative Migration Studies (2024) 12:16 and cultural heritage (Human Rights Council, 2023). In 2023, Riyadh amended Article 8 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality System, allowing the children of Saudi citizens to become eligible for citizenship when adults (age 18). The eligibility criteria include being above the age of 18, reside permanently in the country, not having a criminal record, and being able to fluently speak Arabic (Saikali, 2023). Given the number of marriages (700,000), this nationality reform may have significant demographic implications, and may further encourage mixed-culture marriages in the future. Other changes have taken place within the last five years to that have increased the residency options (Khaleej Times, 2023). For example, in 2019 Saudi Arabia introduced a new residency scheme called the “Privileged Iqama” (Green Card) program (Al Shurafa, 2019) which creates a pathway for people to live and work in the country without needing a Saudi sponsor. This move marks a change to Saudi’s Kafala (sponsorship) system, which previously tied expatriate workers to a single employer, preventing them from changing jobs or traveling outside the country without their employer’s permission. The reform is primarily catered towards wealthy investors and businessmen to increase demand in the real estate sector and promote foreign investment. The eligibility conditions for this scheme include having a valid passport, being at least 21 years old, providing a credit report, having no criminal record, and being clear of infectious diseases (Migrant Rights, 2019). The focus of the new policy is on attracting skilled talent and foreign investment. The government hopes that by making it easier for skilled workers and investors to live and work in the country, they will be able to attracted and retain international talent, and thereby support the diversification of the economy. In addition to the Green Card program, Saudi Arabia has also made it easier for foreigners to obtain work visas and visit visas. The government has implemented new online systems for visa applications and has reduced the amount of time it takes to process visa requests (eVisas are available for nationals from 49 countries and can be issued virtually within minutes, alongside medical insurance; Saudi Gazette, 2022). This has made it easier for businesspeople and tourists to enter the country and contribute to its economy. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism announced that more than one million eVisas had been issued in years since its 2019 launch (Saudi Gazette, 2023). Riyadh is also planning to implement a new law for real estate ownership by foreigners. This announced changes to the current law will expand options for real estate ownership, allowing foreign ownership of all kinds of real estate (not limited to residential, also commercial and agricultural; Saudi Gazette, 2023). As this article goes to print, Saudi Arabia has further expanded residency pathways including this investment pathway (Arab News, 2024). To attract and retain talent in the areas of Islamic scholarship, medicine, science, culture, sports, and technology to help achieve the Vision 2030 goals, Saudi Arabia has also introduced a naturalization program for foreigners with exceptional skills (Nicolaou, 2021). The government has granted citizenship to a small number of longterm foreign residents, including doctors, clerics and academics (Reuters, 2021). This is a significant step towards a functional naturalization process in the form of a citizenship pathway. Even if the number of people granted citizenship is limited to-date, these changes represent a significant shift towards for Saudi Arabia, one that has the potential to have a positive impact on the country’s economy and global reputation. Page 6 of 17