Eid Mubarak

As the end of the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Living in Saudi Arabia sends its warmest wishes to all of you for Eid Al-Fitr.

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RIYADH VS JEDDAH

Both Riyadh and Jeddah are brilliant cities in their own way that have immensely contributed to my life and the life of many. But, I think it’s time to really seal the deal! Which city is better?

Let’s have a look at some of the categories we can make a comparison on.

So, I think you guys have realized that both cities are pretty great in their own separate sense. One city has more of something than the other but it compensates in other categories. They’re both leaning towards further development in the options mentioned above. Riyadh shall be Riyadh and Jeddah shall be Jeddah because of their individual traditions of existence. It’s up to us to appreciate both sentiments and find the good in everything even if it sometimes may be hard to do.

Now the question is: what do you guys think? Are there any categories we’re missing out on? Do you agree with what we stated? Comment and let us know!

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10 Easy Steps to Check Iqama Expiry Date Online

Saudi Iqama holders can check their iqama expiry date online using Ministry of interior e-services, as many of iqamas now expiry date is replaced with issued date, the only way to check iqama using MOI website.

The first way to check iqama is visiting the MOI website link directly.

1. Visit this official link to specified page.
2. Enter iqama number that is written on muqeem card
3. Type in the captcha code
4. Click on View Button.
The second way is to find the specific page and than start inquiring about iqama expiry date.
1. Go to moi.gov.sa Ministry of Interior Official website.
2. Change the language to English from upper left side.
3. Hover on Electronic Enquiries at menu
4. Than click on Query Iqama Expiry
5. In new page enter iqama number and image code
6. At Last click on view button to see iqama expiry date

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SAUDI ARABIA NEWS

Extended Week Holiday in Saudi Arabia for Eid-ul-Fitr

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is on full flow after the crowning of its New Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Good News is The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has extended       is Eid-Ul-Fitr HOlidays by one week.

This announcement was made as as part of royal decrees which replaced Crown    Prince Mohammed bin Nayef with Mohammed bin Salman, previously deputy Crown prince.

All the Government Employees in Saud Arabia will be availing the holdays from  Sunday and will end it on July 9th instead of July 1st 2017.

Earlier, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, The king of Saudi Arabia has ordered each     and every company in Saudi Arabia to pay the Salaries of this month to every worker   by the June 18th 2017, which is 23rd of Ramadan according to the Islamic Calender.

This is not the first time King Salman has helped its citizen mnaytimes, such as giving bonus to Saudis working in Government Sector.

Extending a week Holiday for Eid is really a generous gesture by the monarch.

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READ No Driving License for Expats Salaried below 4000 Riyals

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SR 1000 WRONG PARKING FINE IN SAUDI ARABIA

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TAX ON SOFT DRINKS AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS

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SR 1000 WRONG PARKING FINE IN SAUDI ARABIA

Parking is just like a property now-a-days, in Saudi Arabia where traffic laws are strict and fines are high enough equal to monthly salary of employees. Still this not means that people might start following each and every traffic law, people whenever get opportunity they hide from authorities and do what they want. One of the main reason for wrong parking is shortage of space, people usually tries to block other cars and vehicles to park by putting hurdles on parking space so that they can park their own vehicles. People place stones and barriers to stop parking of other vehicle.

When drivers didn’t find the space for parking their car they tries to park where parking is not allowed, there is another option of paid parking which might not be used by everyone.

According to Riyadh Traffic Department Following parking are illegal:

Parking in places defined for persons with special needs while you are not from the category.

Not following precautions required when parking on public roads in emergencies.

Or wherever parking is not allowed by official authorities

The violation fines are fine are from SAR 100 to SAR 300 but always careful the fine for violation is Saudi Arabia is not fixed it might be high as 1000 Sar. There is no update for new wrong parking fines but one of our reader is fined by Saudi Muroor, fine of SAR 1000 for Parking of vehicle not reserved for parking(wrong Parking)

You can see the wheel-lock that has been put on the rear wheel. So the driver  has to pay the fine and then get the lock removed. The fine for wrong parking in Saudi Arabia is now 1000 riyals.

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50 Baby Names Banned in Saudi Arabia – Check your Name Now!

Saudi Arabian Government releases 50 Names that should be not used for calling anyone in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The main reason of banning these 50 names is that these names contradict Saudi’s religion and culture.

Names such as Elaine, Alice and Linda are not allowed anymore. According to the Ministry, most of the banned names are considered foreign and do not fit Saudi culture. Other names, considered “blasphemous”, are those with royal connotations. Not all banned names have an explanation for being banned and are open to speculations, writes the Independent.
Here is the List of 50 Names Banned in Saudi Arabia:

Abd Al-Ati

Abd Al-Maslah

Abd Al-Mueen

Abd Al-Nabi

Abd Al-Nasser

Abd Al-Rassul

Abrar

Al-Mamlaka

Alice

Amir

Aram

Barah

Basmla

Basseel

Bayan

Benjamin

Eline

Eynar

Gabrielle

Iman

Kebrel

Larine

Lauren

Linda

Malak

Malika

Maline

Malktina

Mamlaka

Mankhar

Maya

Nabi

Naniya

Nardine

Narine

Poland

Rama

Randa

Reelam

Rital

Sandy

Setaf

Sumu

Tabarak

Taline

Tilaj

Yara

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SR 500 Fine Imposed For Distributing of Brochures at Public Places

In what can sometimes be described as a nuisance to common folk when being bombarded with pamphlets and brochures at public places, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has decided to impose a fine of SR 500 for the distribution of such promotional material.

This is a welcome enforcement considering the relief it would provide from petty distributors dotting prominent public places in the kingdom trying to dispense promotional material. This is not all, the fine will also be imposed on those dropping off promotional material at doorsteps.

While until now, only the distributors who were looking to make a quick buck were packed off, the new imposition of fine along with other penalties will encompass companies, establishments, and shops alike.

Carrying forward this fight against such unwanted promotions, sticking bills in public places will also attract this fine of SR 500. A blanket ban on these kinds of promotion will not only provide respite for common people who look to stay away from unwanted promotions but will also ensure beautification of public places as more often than not, public places could be littered by disposing and structures tarnished by constant pasting and tearing. This was the intention of the Ministry which looked to maintain public hygiene while also checking environmental pollution.

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DRIVING IN SAUDI

No Driving License for Expats Salaried below 4000 Riyals

Shoura Council member Dr. Fahad Bin Juma in Saudi Arabia has proposed that Driving License in the Kingdom should not be issued to Expats whose Salary is less than 4000 Saudi Riyals.

Only House Drivers and Drivers who are legally recruited can get driving license with Salary less than 4000 Saudi Riyals.

This decision will come into picture, because most of the drivers whose earning and salary is low are unable to pay traffic violation penalties and fines.

Drivers with low-income cannot afford to pay heavy traffic fines and penalties and most of the expatriates are employed freely by driving licenses which is creating much difficulties for getting Jobs for Saudi nationals.

Shoura Council member says that this step will reduce traffic congestion and accidents. Increasing Foreign labors is a real threat to national security economically and socially

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TAX ON SOFT DRINKS AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will impose a special tax on Sugary Drinks (Soft Drinks) and Tobacco from June 10 2017. This step is towards improving the budget deficit caused by low Oil prices.

Director of Tax unit of General Authority of Zakat and Tax informed that GCC have agreed to impose tax on Tobacco and Sugary Drinks in the kingdom and as per the rules covering the tax were published in the Official Gazette last week and would take 15 days to implement.

Since the inception of Tax in Saudi Arabia and Vision 2030 towards Saudization. Saudi Government expects a raise in tax from 8 Billion Saudi Riyals (SAR) to 10 Billion Saudi Riyals (SAR) yearly. This will comprise a 50% tax on Sugary Drinks and 100% on Tobacco and energy drinks.

Riyadh was very minimal when it comes to tax, but now as per the change in policy a series of taxes are levied by 2020 to close a budget deficit.

There are also plans to add VAT (value added Tax) of 5% from Net year January. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have agreed to impose Tax on Tobacco and sugary drinks in coming months.

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Traffic Violations in Saudi Arabia

If you’re owning a car in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, You must be knowing the traffic violations that will counted
under your Iqama if you do any violations while driving or the look and feel of your vehicle.

It is very important to know all the traffic violation which are also listed on the MOI website (moi.gov.sa) under
different categories. We will give a brief overview of important traffic violations in Saudi Arabia (KSA) and their
penalties.

Saudi Arabian Government is very strict when it comes to traffic violations as more than 16000+ cases were registered related to drifting in last 1+ years, which increased the no.of deaths and serious injuries due to not abiding the traffic rules.

List of  Saudi Arabian Traffic Violations:

1. If a vehicle over takes a school bus or jumps the red signal will be fines SR 6,000 /- in KSA.
2. How to pay traffic fines online
3. Fine of SR 300 /- for playing Pokemon
4. Car parked for 24 hours at one place can be seized the police in KSA
5. Licence can be suspended or Jailed or fine upto SR 900 /- for driving over-speed in KSA
6. In KSA expatriates are not allowed to use big vehicles any more.
7. 11 Rules related to headlights to prevent traffic violations
8. Due to Saher traffic system almost 150,000 KSA citizens face ban on travel
9. Fine of SR 500 /- if a marriage car parade is taken out
10. Eating while driving can cost you fine of SR 150 /-
11. Using tinted window can cost you fine of SR 150 /-
12. How to check traffic tickets under one’s Iqama
13. Number plate hidden from Saher cameras may lead to fine of SR 2,000 /-
14. Car drifting can get you in jail for 2 months and fine of SR 10,000 /-
15. Driver can be fined and jailed if found talking on mobile while driving
16. How can the traffic tickets be challenged

Traffic Violation their Penalties in Saudi:

• Penalty for Illegal Number Plate for your vehicle – SR 3,000/-
• Penalty for over crossing Red light (Signal) – SE 3000/-
• Penalty for giving Vehicle registration card to others – SR 1,000/- to SR 2,000/-
• Penalty for giving your Driving License to others – SR 1,000/- to SR 2,000/-
• Leaving the place of accident without informing the authorities – SR 10,000/- or 3 months Imprisonment
• Penalty for Drifting (first Time violation) – SR 20,000/-
• Penalty for Drifting (Second Time violation) – SR 40,000/-
• Fine due to Dim Light by Riyadh traffic police – SR 500/-

Penalty if you vehicle is seized permanently in First time violation then you will have to pay this amount – SR 60,000/-

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5 Different Options to Apply for UAE Visa for GCC Residents

5 Different Options to Apply for UAE Visa for GCC Residents:

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