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Saudi Arabia has opened applications for a permanent residency program designed to attract foreign investment to the kingdom, but it will cost a hefty 800,000 riyals. There’s also a cheaper option, with a one-year renewable residency costing 100,000 riyals.

The so-called premium residencies will allow foreigners to buy property and do business without a Saudi sponsor, switch jobs and exit the kingdom easily and sponsor visas for family members, according to the website for registrations. As well as paying the high fee, applicants must be at least 21 years old, prove financial solvency and have a clean criminal record and bill of health.

The program approved in May is the latest sign of how the quest for non-oil revenue is prompting Gulf nations to rethink the role of foreigners in their societies. It’s a landmark move in a region where many overseas workers are subject to some of the world’s most restrictive residency rules. Currently over 10 million expats work and live in Saudi Arabia under a system that requires them to be sponsored by a Saudi employer and be issued an exit and re-entry visa whenever they want to leave the country.

The United Arab Emirates approved a plan to allow wealthy foreigners to apply for a 10-year stay, while Qatar passed a law that will grant some permanent residencies. The idea for a long-term Saudi residency program was first floated in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as a part of his plan to reduce the economy’s reliance on oil and boost foreign direct investment. At the time, he estimated the program would generate about $10 billion in annual revenue by 2020. While Saudi Arabia is seeking to encourage the affluent to stay, monthly fees imposed on foreign workers and their families, along with sluggish economic growth, have prompted hundreds of thousands of expatriates to leave. The new permanent residency system could prove controversial among Saudis at a time when unemployment is at 12.5%, nationalism is surging and xenophobia is not uncommon.

1.What’s the Chinese meaning of the underlined word “premium”?

A 高价的.

B 低价的.

C 暂时的.

D 高贵的.

解析：选A。词义猜测题。根据下文As well as paying the high fee可知，沙特开卖永久居住权，这个费用是相当高的，故选A。

2.What can we know about Saudi Arabia from this passage?

A Saudi Arabia has a very good living environment.

B Saudi Arabia’s political environment is stable.

C Saudi Arabia has heavy reliance on oil.

D Saudi Arabia has a good investment environment.

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据第四段...as a part of his plan to reduce the economy’s reliance on oil and boost foreign direct investment.可知，沙特对石油依赖严重，故选C。

3.Which of the following about the new residency program is TRUE?

A It will allow foreigners to buy property and do business without a Saudi sponsor.

B It requires applicants should prove financial solvency and have a clean criminal record.

C It is not good for many overseas workers subject to some restrictive residency rules.

D It is estimated to earn about 10 billion riyals in annual revenue by 2020.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第三段It’s a landmark move in a region where many overseas workers are subject to some of the world’s most restrictive residency rules.可知，新政策对于要遵守一些全球最严格的居留规定的许多海外员具有里程碑意义，对他们来说是有好处的，故选C。

4.What’s the best title for the passage?

A Saudi Arabia's oil industry.

B Social situation in Saudi Arabia.

C Sharp ethnic contradictions in Saudi Arabia.

D A permanent residency application plan in Saudi Arabia.

解析：选D。主旨大意题。短文主要在讲述“沙特开卖永久居住权”的政策，包括支付费用、要求、出台背景、政策目的等，民族矛盾、石油、社会问题只是该项政策的原因，故选D。