Saudi Arabia allows Syrian and Yemeni students on visit visas to enrol in local schools

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has revised its admission protocols to allow Syrian and Yemeni students on visit visas to enrol in local schools.

The new change follows a recent surge in inquiries about transfer and admission procedures for the current academic year, prompting the Ministry to streamline its guidelines across various educational levels.

For secondary students, transfers will now be governed by the Equivalency and Transfers Guide within the Pathways System, a detailed framework designed to ensure smooth transitions between different educational systems.

Elementary and middle school transfers are also being standardised, following regulations set out in the Guide to Admission and Registration in Public Education, with strict adherence to established transfer timelines.

Additionally, the circular outlined policies for children of diverse backgrounds already residing in the Kingdom. This includes children of Saudi nationals who face bureaucratic issues in being added to family records, as well as children born to Saudi mothers and non-Saudi fathers.

The Ministry also continues to support the educational integration of children from families previously residing in the Kingdom without legal status, who have now been documented and fingerprinted by the Ministry of Interior. These students are eligible to attend government schools based on capacity, or opt for private education, contingent on status confirmation through the Kingdom’s digital platforms, Tawakkalna or Absher.