In this file photo, a Saudi couple walk in Riyadh. (AFP)

JEDDAH: Despite recent decisions, foreign husbands of Saudi women are facing a number of hurdles while dealing with the government, either due to lack of information in various sectors or their not having adequate powers, according an online newspaper.

The newspaper carried out a survey of foreign husbands of Saudi wives and has concluded that they are facing a number of problems in their official business in the Kingdom. Sometimes, they are even unable to conclude their dealings.

Yathlim Al-Qathmi, 30 years old, said that he had two such experiences where he faced hurdles. When he visited Jeddah Chamber of Commerce to get official documents of the company, where he works as director of operations, his request was turned down on the grounds that he did not have the company’s sponsorship. The chamber said that you should either be a national or you should be under the sponsorship of the company.

Omar Al-Sharief, 32 years old, said that he faced problem in the pregnancy issue of his wife as the company did not give medical insurance to him or his family. When he tried to get a medical insurance card through a company, it refused to do so on the grounds that it is possible only if the entire family is Saudi or the entire family is foreign.

Fahad bin Mahfoudh, 44 years old, asked if there is any logic in that the foreign husband of a Saudi wife is dealt with like a Saudi in matters of employment and he gets the salary of a foreigner.

Abullah Al-Battati, 28 years old, said that the profession “husband of a national” in the residence permit is not recognized in any of the Gulf countries. He has to travel as per the situation of his work, and it is for this reason he must take his wife along with him as they are not allowed to travel alone. He said that “husband of a national” should be a marital status and not a profession in official documents.

He said in the case of the death of a wife, the status of the foreign husband is not clear and it is difficult to find another sponsor. It is also difficult to have children under the same sponsorship as the husband of a Saudi wife can not be under the sponsorship of any other member of the family in case of the death the wife.

The newspaper said that it contacted the Directorate General of Passport through e-mail to get an explanation of the issues raised by foreign husbands, but it did not receive reply.

Source: AarabNews