my best guess is that he might be approved if:
1- He has significant business in Saudi Arabia (owns a company with a good income, owns car(s), owns investments ...etc) or has a really good job (management level or so) with very large bank balance to show that he is not looking for work.
2- Has family members that will not travel with him.
CIC red flags will be:
1- He's travelling with all his family, this is a no no for them given his citizenship.
2- His situation in Saudi Arabia is not deep rooted so he can easily migrate somewhere else.