Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia has relaxed its rules on alcohol sales, allowing non-Muslim foreign residents with high incomes to purchase liquor from the country’s only authorized liquor store in Riyadh. The new regulation applies only to residents earning 50,000 riyals or more per month, roughly ₹11 lakh, and requires proof of income.
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How the New Alcohol Rule Works
Foreign residents seeking alcohol must:
- Hold premium residency status (also known as the Saudi Green Card)
- Show a valid ID card
- Present a salary certificate as proof of income
Previously, the Riyadh store only sold alcohol to foreign diplomats. The recent policy change extends sales to wealthy non-Muslims under the premium residency program, which targets skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors.
What Is Saudi Premium Residency?
Launched in 2019, the Saudi Premium Residency Program allows foreigners to live, work, and own businesses or property in Saudi Arabia. Key requirements include:
- Age 21 years or older
- Medical clearance to confirm good health
- Clean criminal record
- Proof of sufficient financial resources to support themselves and dependents
The program is designed for high-earning professionals and investors, granting privileges that ordinary residents do not receive.
Social Media Reactions
The announcement has drawn mockery and criticism on social media for limiting alcohol access to the wealthy:
- “Proof of income for a bottle of wine is CRAZY behavior,” one user commented.
- “No alcohol for the poor is hilarious,” another wrote.
- Critics argued the policy reflects double standards, favoring wealthy foreign residents while ordinary people remain restricted.
- Some noted the rule seems intended to prevent low-income foreign workers from buying alcohol, reserving it for wealthy tourists and residents.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia’s move to restrict alcohol sales to wealthy premium residents highlights the country’s unique approach to controlled alcohol consumption and its broader policy of incentivizing high-income professionals through the Green Card program. While it may boost benefits for affluent foreign residents, the public backlash online underscores criticism over inequality and exclusivity.