Saudi Nationality Law

The Saudi Nationality Law is a set of legal rules that regulate the ways in which Saudi nationality is granted and transferred to individuals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. it stipulates provisions related to granting, acquiring, revoking, and withdrawing Saudi nationality. The law was issued on September 22, 1954, during the reign of King Saud Bin Abdulaziz al Saud. It is the currently enforced law.

The Saudi Nationality Law is distinguished by having no retroactive effect, and all valid decisions and procedures made under previous laws are considered effective. Similarly, nationalities granted based on those laws remain valid as long as the procedures and evidence are sound.

The Saudi Nationality Law also includes transitional and general provisions, a definition of who is considered Saudi, and provisions regarding the granting, acquisition, revocation, and withdrawal of Saudi nationality. Additionally, it outlines restrictions and provisions regarding dual nationality for Saudis acquiring another nationality, as well as penalties for making false statements or submitting incorrect documents with the intent of proving or denying Saudi nationality.

The Saudi Nationality Law designates the Ministry of Interior as the competent entity for the implementation of this law. It stipulates that declarations, announcements, documents, and applications stipulated in this law must be addressed to the Minister of Interior through an official announcement or a receipt to the designated employee within the department to which the applicant is affiliated. Abroad, they are delivered to the representatives of the government of His Majesty the King or its consuls. A resolution issued by the Minister of Interior may authorize any employee to receive these declarations, announcements, applications, and documents.

The Saudi Nationality Law defines Saudis based on the classification adopted by the nationality regulator. The law specifies certain individuals who are eligible to acquire nationality.

According to the law, 'a person is Saudi if they are born inside or outside the Kingdom to a Saudi father, or a Saudi mother and a father of unknown nationality or statelessness or born within the Kingdom to unknown parents. A foundling within the Kingdom is considered born there unless proven otherwise.'

The Saudi Nationality Law states that it is not permissible for a Saudi to acquire foreign nationality without prior permission from the Prime Minister. The law also specifies that a Saudi who acquires foreign nationality before obtaining this permission will remain a Saudi unless the government of His Majesty the King decides to revoke Saudi nationality.

The Saudi Nationality Law states that if a Saudi acquires another nationality after obtaining permission, his wife loses her Saudi nationality if she follows the nationality of her husband under the law governing the new nationality, unless she decides, within a year from the date of her husband acquiring the new nationality, that she wishes to retain her Saudi nationality. As for underage children, they lose their Saudi nationality if, due to a change in their father's nationality, they acquire his nationality under the law governing the new nationality. However, they have the right to reclaim their Saudi nationality within the year following their attainment of legal age.

The Saudi Nationality Law states that it is permissible to grant Saudi nationality by order of the Prime Minister based on the proposal of the Minister of Interior. The nationality law specifies conditions that must be met for cases in which Saudi nationality is granted by order of the Prime Minister based on the recommendation of the Minister of Interior.

The Saudi Nationality Law specifies the entity responsible for granting Saudi nationality. The law states that the Prime Minister is the entity that grants nationality based on a proposal from the Minister of Interior. However, the law also stipulates that, under all circumstances, the Minister of Interior has the right to reject the approval of granting Saudi nationality to a foreigner who meets the conditions specified in Article Nine of the law, without providing reasons, and this is before the mentioned proposal is submitted.

The law also states that no one other than the King has the authority to grant nationality to those who do not meet the conditions specified in Article Nine of the law. Similarly, the revocation of nationality from any Saudi is only applicable if the provisions outlined in Article Thirteen of the law apply to them.

The Saudi Nationality Law permits granting nationality to individuals born within the Kingdom to a foreign father and a Saudi mother, provided that several conditions are met. These conditions include having permanent residency status in the Kingdom upon reaching the age of majority, having good conduct and behavior, not having been previously convicted in a criminal case or sentenced to imprisonment for an ethical crime for a period exceeding six months, being proficient in the Arabic language, and submitting an application for Saudi nationality within the year following reaching the age of majority.

The Saudi Nationality Law allows the granting of Saudi nationality to a foreigner who meets the following conditions: being of legal age at the time of applying for nationality, having acquired residency status for a period of not less than ten consecutive years, being mentally and physically sound, having good conduct and behavior, not having been sentenced to imprisonment for an ethical crime for a period exceeding six months, having a profession needed by the country with an exception for those born in the Kingdom to a foreign mother and an unknown father, proving legitimate means of livelihood, being proficient in the Arabic language in speaking, reading, and writing, and submitting a naturalization application with a valid residence permit, passport, or any document issued by the competent authorities in lieu of a passport, along with any document related to the nationality from which the individual is seeking to detach and any document supporting the claims required to be proven under the provisions of this law.

The law stipulates that upon acquiring Saudi nationality, a foreigner's wife is required to become a Saudi national, unless she decides within one year of her husband acquiring Saudi nationality that she wishes to retain her original nationality. As for children who have not reached the age of majority, if their residence is in the Kingdom, they are considered Saudis, with the right to choose their father's original nationality within one year of reaching the age of majority. However, if their residence is outside the country, they are considered foreigners and have the right to choose their father's Saudi nationality within one year of reaching the age of majority. The law also stipulates that the naturalized individual can apply, for each female under his guardianship according to a legal document, an independent application to grant them Saudi nationality.

The Saudi Nationality Law allows for the revocation of Saudi nationality through a grounded decree for any Saudi. The law has specified a number of cases under which Saudi nationality can be revoked.

The Saudi Nationality Law outlines the conditions that warrant the revocation of Saudi nationality as follows:

If they acquire another nationality in violation of the provisions of Article Eleven of this law.

If they serve in the armed forces of a foreign government without prior approval from the government of His Majesty the King.

If they work for the benefit of a foreign state or government while it is in a state of war with the Kingdom.

If they accept a position with a foreign government or international organization and remain working there despite the order issued by the government of His Majesty the King to leave it.

The Saudi Nationality Law stipulates that in all cases specified as grounds for revoking nationality, it is mandatory to notify the Saudi of the consequences of their actions through valid notification at least three months prior to the date of the decree revoking their nationality. In all cases where Saudi nationality is revoked under the provisions of this article, the liquidation of the assets of the person whose nationality is revoked is carried out in accordance with the Real Estate Ownership Law. Additionally, it is permissible to deprive them of residence in the territory of the Kingdom or their return to it.

The Saudi Nationality Law stipulates that it is permissible, under a resolution issued by the Council of Ministers, to revoke Saudi nationality from a naturalized individual within the ten years following their naturalization. This can be done upon the proposal of the Minister of Interior in two cases: first, if the individual is sentenced to legal punishment or imprisonment exceeding one year for committing an act that affects integrity and honor, and second, if there is a judicial verdict confirming their involvement in any act that jeopardizes security in the Kingdom.

Additionally, Saudi nationality can be revoked by order of the Prime Minister, based on the proposal of the Minister of Interior, at any time if it is proven that the nationality was obtained through false statements, deception, error, forgery, or falsification in the testimonies, documents, records, or data provided for the purpose of acquiring it.

The Saudi Nationality Law stipulates that if Saudi nationality is revoked from a naturalized individual, it results in the loss of nationality for the individual who acquired it through naturalization and its withdrawal from those who acquired it from the naturalized individual through dependency. If it is proven that those who acquired it through dependency have good moral character and there is no impediment to granting them nationality, it may be granted to them, taking into account the previous duration of their association.

According to the Saudi Nationality Law, the wife of an individual whose Saudi nationality has been revoked, under Article Thirteen of the law, has the right to choose the new nationality of her husband or retain her Saudi nationality. In the event of the termination of the marriage, she has the option to regain her Saudi nationality if she has chosen the nationality of her husband. As for young children residing in the territories of the Kingdom, they have the right, upon reaching the age of majority, to choose Saudi nationality without restriction or condition.

1960

Article Seven of the nationality law was amended during the reign of King Saud Bin Abdulaziz to state that: 'A person is Saudi if they are born inside or outside the Kingdom to a Saudi father, or a Saudi mother and a father of unknown nationality or statelessness or born within the Kingdom to unknown parents. A foundling within the Kingdom is considered born there unless proven otherwise.'

1969

Article Twenty-Two of the Saudi Nationality Law was amended during the reign of King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz to read as follows: 'Saudi nationality is revoked by order of the Prime Minister, based on the proposal of the Minister of Interior, at any time if it is proven that the nationality was obtained through false statements, deception, error, forgery, or falsification in the testimonies, documents, records, or data provided for the purpose of acquiring it.'

1985

Article Eight of the Saudi Nationality Law was amended for the first time by a decree issued by King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (then the Deputy King). Article Eight was amended for the second time by a decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in 2023. The article now reads: 'Saudi nationality may be granted by the order of the Prime Minister, based on the proposal of the Minister of Interior, to those born within the Kingdom to a foreign father and a Saudi mother, provided the following conditions are met:

They must hold permanent residency status in the Kingdom upon reaching the age of majority.

They must have good conduct and behavior, and have not been previously convicted in a criminal judgment or sentenced to imprisonment for an ethical crime for a period exceeding six months.

They must be proficient in the Arabic language.

They must submit an application for Saudi nationality within the year following reaching the age of majority.

2004

Articles Nine, Twelve, Fourteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Twenty-One, Twenty-Six, and Twenty-Seven of the Saudi Nationality Law were amended during the reign of King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to become as follows:

Article Nine:

After the amendment, Article Nine of the Law now reads as follows: 'Saudi nationality may be granted to a foreigner who meets the following conditions:

a. Being of legal age at the time of applying for Saudi nationality, and having acquired residency status for a period of not less than ten consecutive years

b. Being mentally and physically sound.

c. Having good conduct and behavior, and not having been sentenced to imprisonment for an ethical crime for a period exceeding six months.

d. Having a profession needed by the country with an exception for those born in the Kingdom to a foreign mother and an unknown father.

e. Proving legitimate means of livelihood.

f. Being proficient in the Arabic language in speaking, reading, and writing.

Article Twelve:

After the amendment, Article Twelve reads as follows: 'Acquiring foreign nationality by a Saudi national, after obtaining permission, shall not result in his wife losing Saudi nationality if she acquires her husband's new nationality according to the law governing the new nationality, unless she decides and declares her affiliation with her husband's new nationality, and obtains approval from the Minister of Interior. As for underage children, they lose their Saudi nationality if, due to a change in their father's nationality, they acquire his nationality under the law governing the new nationality. However, they have the right to reclaim their Saudi nationality within the year following their attainment of the age of majority.'

Article Fourteen:

According to the amendment, Article Fourteen reads as follows: 'The acquisition of Saudi nationality by a foreigner entails the following:

a. His wife's nationality becomes Saudi if she moves to the Kingdom, expresses her desire to acquire the nationality, and renounces her nationality.

b. His children who have not reached the age of majority acquire Saudi nationality based on their father's nationality if they are residents of the Kingdom or have moved there before reaching the age of majority. They may choose their father's original nationality within one year from the date any of them reaches the age of majority. As for the children who reach the age of majority during their father's application process, the Minister of Interior may grant them Saudi nationality if their legal residence in the Kingdom is not less than five years, and they apply for it within one year from the date their father is granted Saudi nationality.'

Article Sixteen:

Article Sixteen was amended twice, first in 2004, and the second time in 2007. After the amendment, Article Sixteen reads as follows: 'The Minister of Interior may grant Saudi nationality to a non-Saudi woman married to a Saudi or the non-Saudi widow of a Saudi, if she applies for it and renounces her original nationality. The Minister of Interior may also decide to revoke her Saudi nationality if her marital relationship with the Saudi husband is terminated for any reason, and she reacquires her original nationality or another foreign nationality. The necessary regulations shall specify the controls for this.'

Article Seventeen:

After the amendment, Article Seventeen now states: 'A Saudi woman does not lose her nationality if she marries a non-Saudi foreigner unless she decides and declares her affiliation with her husband's nationality and acquires it according to the laws governing that nationality.'

Article Twenty-One:

After the amendment, Article Twenty-One now reads as follows: 'It is permissible, under a resolution issued by the Council of Ministers, to revoke Saudi nationality from a naturalized individual within the ten years following their naturalization. This can be done upon the proposal of the Minister of Interior in two cases:

a. If he is sentenced to legal punishment or imprisonment for a period exceeding one year for committing an act that affects integrity and honor.

b. If a judicial verdict confirms his commitment or involvement in any act that jeopardizes security in the Kingdom or his participation in it, or renders him undesirable in the country.

Article Twenty-Six:

After the amendment, the text of Article Twenty-Six is as follows: 'Without prejudice to any more severe penalty stipulated by other laws, individuals found making false statements or knowingly submitting invalid documents before the competent authority, either with the intent to establish or deny Saudi nationality falsely for themselves or others, shall face imprisonment for up to two years or a fine not surpassing SAR30,000. The Board of Grievances undertakes to enforce this penalty.'

Article Twenty-Seven:

After the amendment, Article Twenty-Seven now states: 'The Minister of Interior shall issue the Implementing Regulations for this law within 120 days from the date of publishing this amendment. The necessary resolutions for this law shall also be issued.'

2007

King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz issued a Royal Decree in 2007 amending Article Sixteen, as amended by a Royal Decree in 2004, to be, after the latest amendment, as follows: 'The Minister of Interior may grant Saudi nationality to a non-Saudi woman married to a Saudi or the non-Saudi widow of a Saudi, if she applies for it and renounces her original nationality. The Minister of Interior may also decide to revoke her Saudi nationality if her marital relationship with the Saudi husband is terminated for any reason, and she reacquires her original nationality or another foreign nationality. The Minister of Interior may delegate the powers assigned thereto under this article to officials in the ministry. The Implementing Regulations shall specify the necessary controls for this.’