Non-Saudis not eligible to own properties won as prizes 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The Ministry of Interior has asked provincial governorates to ensure the distribution of prizes do not violate the country's regulations governing property ownership.

Recently the number of prizes announced by businesses at festivals and souks have increased and some of the rewards are residential apartments. Since the contests are open to all, there is a chance an expatriate could win an apartment, Al-Watan daily reported.

According to an order issued by the Council of Ministers in 2000, non-Saudis can own property for their own use only after obtaining a license from the Ministry of Interior. The order was issued on the basis of the recommendations of the Supreme Economic Council.

"The ministry has asked provincial governorates to instruct chambers of commerce in their regions to check if any expatriate has acquired property as a prize," a source at the ministry said. It ordered commercial establishments to give cash equivalent if a non-Saudi wins such prizes.

However, property ownership regulations are relaxed in the case of non-Saudi investors. They are permitted to purchase buildings or land for development which can be sold or leased later subject to certain conditions.