Dhaka, Oct. 7 -- Saudi Arabia has reformed its visa process for skilled foreign workers, allowing them to bring family members into the country while their own work visa or residency permit (Iqama) is still being processed.

Dubai-based Gulf News and UAE daily Khaleej Times reported the change on Tuesday, citing a notice from the Saudi interior ministry.

The move was coordinated with the foreign ministry and the human resources and social development ministry, the interior ministry said, with the aim of improving living standards for foreign residents and speeding up the entry process for "highly skilled" professionals coming from abroad.

Under the new rules, a skilled foreign worker can secure entry visa applications for specific famil...