New Saudis In The House! Kingdom Grants Citizenship To Two Remarkable Talents

In a headline-making moment for the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia has officially granted citizenship to two international trailblazers!

John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global, and Travis Kalanick, co-founder and former CEO of Uber are now officially Saudi nationals!

The move reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing commitment to recognizing and attracting world-class talent as part of its ambitious Vision 2030 transformation.

Pagano, who has been leading the charge in turning Saudi’s Red Sea coast into one of the world’s most sustainable luxury tourism destinations, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Saudi leadership

It is a great honor to share that I have been granted Saudi citizenship. My sincerest gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for this immense privilege and trust.
Having spent several… pic.twitter.com/G8bEFUZ7OL

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— John Pagano (@JohnPagano) October 9, 2025

In his statement, he thanked the King and Crown Prince Of Saudi Arabia for this ‘immense privilege’. His work with Red Sea Global has been a cornerstone in reshaping Saudi’s tourism and sustainability landscape,  a living example of Vision 2030 in action.

Joining him is Travis Kalanick, the American entrepreneur best known for co-founding Uber and revolutionizing global transportation

Kalanick’s addition to the Saudi family highlights the Kingdom’s ongoing initiative to draw exceptional innovators, investors, and experts in rare specializations. By awarding citizenship to such figures, Saudi Arabia signals to the world that it’s serious about building a global hub for creativity, innovation, and opportunity.

Both of these figures now join a distinguished circle of scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs who have been granted Saudi citizenship under a program that aligns directly with Saudi Vision 2030,  a plan focused on diversifying the economy, empowering human capital, and making the Kingdom a global center for talent and innovation.

As Saudi Arabia continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, this latest move reflects its openness to collaboration and its dedication to creating a future driven by expertise, ideas, and excellence from all corners of the world!