Article 6 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
المادة 6 من نظام الجمعيات والمؤسسات الأهلية
The Ministry issues, amends and renews licenses for associations and organizations after coordinating with the competent body and the supervising body's approval, except university scientific associations, which follow their own rules.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تكون الوزارة هي المسؤولة عن إصدار التراخيص للجمعيات والمؤسسات ، وتعديلها وتجديدها ، وذلك بعد التنسيق مع الجهة المختصة وبعد الحصول على موافقة الجهة المشرفة ، عدا الجمعيات العلمية التي نشأت أو تنشأ في الجامعات ، فتطبق في شأنها الأحكام والقواعد المنظمة للجمعيات العلمية في الجامعات.
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 6 explained in plain English
This Article identifies who issues the licenses of associations and organizations and on what conditions:
- The body: under the text, the Ministry is responsible for issuing licenses, amending them and renewing them.
- The two conditions:
- Coordination with the competent body designated by the Council of Ministers.
- Obtaining the approval of the supervising body, the government body within whose competence the activity falls.
The exception: scientific associations that were or will be created in universities are not subject to this provision; the provisions and rules governing scientific associations in universities apply to them instead.
This complements Article 5, which makes the supervising body's approval of creation a preliminary step to completing licensing procedures.
The text covers amendment and renewal as well, so every change to the license goes through the same conditions. The text does not state the length of the license or the dates for renewal. Anyone facing a refusal or delay in licensing may consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
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 6 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
Who issues the license of a civil society association?
Under the text of the Article, the Ministry issues it after coordinating with the competent body and obtaining the supervising body's approval.
Are university scientific associations subject to this Law in licensing?
No. The provisions and rules governing scientific associations in universities apply to them.
Does renewing a license need the supervising body's approval?
Yes. The text covers issuing licenses, amending them and renewing them after the supervising body's approval.
More articles on Supervision of Civil Associations
- Article 4
The Article makes the Ministry the authority responsible for associations and organizations, with tasks including licensing, government subsidies, administrative and financial oversight, deciding mergers and spreading volunteering.
الوزارة هي السلطة المسؤولة عن شؤون الجمعيات والمؤسسات في حدود أحكام هـذا النـظام والأنظمة الأخرى ذات العلاقة ، ولها أن تتخذ ما تراه لازماً لتحقيق أهداف هذا النظ
- Article 5
The supervising body approves the creation of associations and organizations within its competence as a step toward licensing, supervises their activity technically and follows it up, and works on developing them.
تتولى كل جهة مشرفة القيام بما يأتي : 1 - الموافقة على إنشاء الجمعيات والمؤسسات التي تدخل نشاطاتها ضمن اختصاصها؛ تمهيداً لاستكمال إجراءات الترخيص لها من الوزارة
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.