Article 1 of the Saudi Border Security Law
المادة 1 من نظام أمن الحدود
The article defines border security as tightening control over the Kingdom's land borders and territorial waters, so that entry or exit is only in accordance with the regulations and through places the Government designates.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يقصد بأمن الحدود إحكام الرقابة على حدود المملكة البرية ومياهها الإقليمية بمنع الدخول إليها أو الخروج منها إلا وفق الأنظمة المعمول بها وعبر الطرق والمسالك والموانئ والمرافئ والأمكنة المخصصة لذلك من قبل الحكومة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 1 explained in plain English
This article is the entry point to the Border Security Law, as it defines the meaning of "border security", on which the whole Law is built.
According to the text, border security means tightening control over two zones:
- The Kingdom's land borders.
- Its territorial waters.
This control is achieved by preventing entry into or exit from the Kingdom unless two things are both met:
- The entry or exit is in accordance with the regulations in force.
- It takes place through the roads, passages, ports, harbors and places that the Government designates for that purpose.
In practice this means that crossing the border is not permitted from any point a person chooses, but only from officially designated places, while complying with the regulations governing entry and exit. It is not enough to cross at an official crossing point if that violates the regulations, and it is not enough to satisfy the regulations if the crossing is from places other than those designated.
Article 2 completes this concept by naming the competent body: it makes the Border Guard, among the internal security forces, responsible for guarding the land borders, territorial waters and seaports in accordance with rules issued by regulation of the Minister of Interior.
Anyone with a matter relating to crossing the border or a violation connected with it should preferably consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
Ahmed owns a small boat in Jazan and is thinking of sailing it out of the Kingdom from a beach near his home instead of going through an official port. Under this article, exit from territorial waters is only in accordance with the regulations and through the ports, harbors and places the Government has designated, so leaving from a non-designated beach conflicts with the concept of border security.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 1 of the Saudi Border Security Law
What is meant by border security under Saudi law?
It is tightening control over the Kingdom's land borders and territorial waters by preventing entry into or exit from it except in accordance with the regulations and through places designated by the Government.
May one enter the Kingdom from any point on the border?
No. The text restricts entry and exit to the roads, passages, ports, harbors and places that the Government designates for that purpose, in accordance with the regulations in force.
Does border security include the sea?
Yes. The article covers the Kingdom's territorial waters as well as its land borders.
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The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.