Expatriates in Saudi Arabia, including 1.3 million Indians, can apply for the country's citizenship under the new Naturalisation Law from May 23.

Some articles of the existing law were amended to meet job work requirements and realise the interests of the Kingdom and its citizens. As per the amended law, professionals like doctors and engineers will be given preference.

The six million-strong expatriate workforce in Saudi Arabia is waiting for the 35-article bylaw since the Cabinet approved the newly-amended Naturalisation Law.

"The new bylaw came into effect on Friday, when it was published in the official gazette," Nasser Al-Hanaya, Under Secretary at the Interior Ministry for Civil Affairs was quoted as saying.

Dr Ahmed Al-Salim, Under Secretary at the Interior Ministry, said the amended law did not imply any large-scale handout of Saudi citizenship to non-Saudis.

"All applicants who have fulfilled the necessary conditions may not get citizenship as the decision to award citizenship depends on the state's discretion," Hanaya said.

To qualify for citizenship, the applicant should have lived in the Kingdom continuously for not less than 10 years and should be a professional required by the country.