The Ruling on Fasting for a Contract Worker in a Foreign Country

Question:
We read in the newspaper Al-Muslimun an article by the honorable Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen stating: "The contract worker in a foreign country, other than his own country, is not obligated to fast." What is the validity of this statement? Please issue a ruling for us, may Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
This is the opinion of some scholars: that the contract worker who has not settled, but rather signed a contract, or came seeking knowledge, and then returns to his country, has the ruling of travelers regarding breaking the fast and shortening the prayer, and he must make up the fast. However, this is the opinion of some scholars. The majority of scholars, and the position upon which the fatwa is based, is that he does not break his fast and does not shorten his prayer; rather, he must fast with the people and complete the prayer with the people, because he is in the category of residents.
What is established in this matter according to the majority of scholars is that residence, according to the majority, is what exceeds four days; it has the ruling of full residence, so he must complete the prayer and fast. Some scholars said fifteen days. The majority of scholars hold that the residence that prevents shortening is what exceeds four days—if he intends it and resolves to stay—he completes the prayer and does not shorten it. It is obligatory for contract workers and students in any place to fast in Ramadan and to complete the prayer, and not to shorten it, because in this long residence they are not called travelers.