Syrians in Saudi Arabia

Syrians in Saudi Arabia

A map showing Syria in brown and Saudi Arabia in green
Total population
(500,000 to 2.5 Million)
Regions with significant populations
Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam
Languages
Arabic (Syrian Arabic), English
Religion
Islam, Christianity

As of September 2016^[update], the number of Syrians in Saudi Arabia is estimated to be around 2.5 million, and consists mainly of temporary foreign workers. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' representative for the Persian Gulf region, Syrian nationals are referred to as "Arab brothers and sisters in distress". Saudi Arabia does not consider Syrians as refugees. They are provided free access to education and healthcare, and allowed to take up jobs.

As of September 2015^[update], the flow of refugees to the European Union has increased significantly, and there is a rise in criticism of Muslim nations for allegedly accepting few refugees. The Syrian Civil War forced millions to flee their homes in search of safety. Saudi Arabia, as a rich country, was heavily criticized for not offering land to Syrian refugees – it only offers resettlement for asylum-seekers whose families already reside in Saudi Arabia.

The CIA World Factbook estimated that as of 2013^[update], foreign nationals living in Saudi Arabia made up about 21% of the population. Total number of Syrians in Saudi Arabia was 100,000 before the start of Syrian Civil War

Saudi Arabia, like all the other Arab states of the Persian Gulf, is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention, which mandates member states to protect refugees within their country. However, according to a Saudi official, Saudi Arabia has issued residency permits to 100,000 Syrians. On the other hand, the BBC claims, "Most successful cases are Syrians already in the Gulf states extending their stays, or those entering because they have family there," and, "No Syrians claiming asylum have been taken in by Saudi Arabia or other wealthy Gulf countries."