Syrian, Yemeni Students on Visit Visas Allowed To Enroll Locally

Saudi Arabia will start allowing Syrian and Yemeni students to enroll in Saudi schools.

The move comes after the Saudi Ministry of Education made modifications to its admission policies. It was implemented following an increase in recent inquiries regarding transfer and admission procedures for the current academic year.

The policy shift marks a significant time for Syrian and Yemeni youth who are part of displaced families. Moreover, with the new guidance from Saudi authorities, they will be able to access educational opportunities in the kingdom. This may include access to unique programs such as the Mandarin language program, which the education ministry has launched.

On Syrian and Yemeni migrations

The Syrian civil war and the Yemeni conflict have brought about one of the largest humanitarian crises in history. While it is difficult to specify the number of Syrian refugees, experts estimate this to be hundreds of thousands. The Yemeni government, meanwhile, reported in 2020 that more than two million Yemenis were living in Saudi Arabia.

Numerous Syrian and Yemeni nationals used visit visas to travel to the kingdom. As such, many Syrian and Yemeni students with visit visas have found it hard to go to school. They faced hurdles such as legal and bureaucratic barriers, limited access to schooling, and uncertainty over their visa status. Several schools hesitated to accept Syrian and Yemeni enrollees who did not have permanent resident status.

How the new policies will work

Under the Ministry of Education’s new policies, secondary Syrian and Yemeni students must meet certain equivalency and transfer requirements. Saudi Arabia’s pathways secondary education system will govern the transfers.

The pathways system is made up of six academic and career pathways. These include the scientific; computer and engineering sciences; health and life sciences; humanitarian; business administration; and Shariah pathways. Through the system, the education ministry hopes to equip students with the necessary skills for college.

The education bureau will also standardize the elementary and middle school transfers of Syrians and Yemenis. This is per the guidelines in the “Guide to Admission and Registration in Public Education.” Under the guide, the transferees must follow strict timelines.

Saudi Arabia has also outlined new policies for children of different backgrounds who are living in the country. This covers biological children of Saudi mothers and non-Saudi fathers, as well as Saudi nationals with problematic family records.

In addition to Syrians and Yemenis, the Ministry of Education will also support children of families who recently underwent documentation. These children will be able to go to government schools depending on their capacity or seek private education.

Paving the way for educational continuity

With the new policy under the education ministry, displaced Syrian and Yemeni children can continue their studies. It is a significant step for Saudi authorities as they permit these students to pursue a brighter future with schooling.

One of the measures the government has been taking is extending visit visas. This allows displaced individuals to stay in Saudi Arabia legally as they look for more permanent solutions.

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