By Bob Trevelyan BBC News

Saudi citizenship brings a number of benefits in the kingdom

Thousands of foreign residents in Saudi Arabia have been queuing to apply for Saudi citizenship.

A recently passed law allows those who have lived in the country for 10 years to be naturalised.

Large crowds built up outside government offices in several Saudi cities as people scrambled to get hold of forms to apply for citizenship.

In some places, the forms ran out early, prompting applicants to try to buy original or photocopied documents.

Points system

For many, coming to Saudi Arabia was a chance to find better-paid work than they could get at home in south Asia or west Africa.

SAUDI CITIZENSHIP LAW Passed in October 2004 Requires 10-year residency in the kingdom Based on points system Educational, professional qualifications taken into account Family links also considered Successful applicants must renounce their original nationality

But some categories of jobs are now being closed to non-Saudis as the government tries to reduce its dependence on its six-million-strong expatriate workforce and bring more Saudis into employment.

Holding Saudi citizenship also brings a number of other benefits such as the right to own property and access to cheap loans.

But new citizens will have to give up their previous nationality as Saudi Arabia does not allow dual citizenship.