Article 27 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 27 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل السابع: النقل والترحيل
The article prevents transferring a member from his unit or body except as work interests require and the post suits his rank and specialty, and allows him to request a transfer in writing for good reasons through his superior.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز نقل الفرد من وحدته إلى أي وحده أخرى أو من جهة إلى أخرى الا بناء على مقتضيات مصلحة العمل شريطة أن تتلائم الوظيفة المنقول إليها الفرد مع رتبته واختصاصه ويجوز للفرد لا سباب وجيهه ومعقوله أن يتقدم عن طريق مرجعه بطلب كتابي لنقله إلى أي وحده أو جهة أخرى.
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 27 explained in plain English
This article regulates the transfer of a member from two aspects:
First: transfer by decision of the authority. The rule is that it is not permitted to transfer a member from his unit to another unit, or from one body to another, unless two things are present:
- That the transfer is based on the requirements of work interests.
- That the post he is transferred to suits his rank and specialty.
A transfer that work interests do not require, or that places the member in a post that does not suit his rank or specialty, violates this condition.
Second: transfer at the member's request. A member may request transfer to any other unit or body, on conditions:
- That he has good and reasonable grounds.
- That he submits a written request.
- That the request goes through his superior.
The article provides that the request may be submitted, but it does not oblige the authority to accept it, and does not set a time for deciding on it. Anyone subject to a transfer decision who believes it does not suit his rank or specialty may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative matters and military service affairs.
Practical example
Sergeant Khaled works in a unit in Dammam, and his father is ill and lives in Qassim. He may submit, through his superior, a written request for transfer to a unit in Qassim stating this reason, and his authority considers the request. The article does not oblige it to accept.
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 27 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
May a military member be transferred against his wishes?
He may not be transferred except as work interests require, and on condition that the post he is transferred to suits his rank and specialty.
How does a military member request a transfer?
He submits, for good and reasonable grounds, a written request through his superior for transfer to the unit or body he wants.
More articles on Transfer, Relocation Allowance and Travel Tickets
- Article 28Amended by M/28
The article provides for a relocation allowance to a member under the Implementing Regulations on first appointment, transfer between towns or abroad, scholarship, attachment of more than six months and secondment of three months or more.
يصرف للفرد بدل ترحيل وفقاً للأحكام التي تحددها اللائحة التنفيذية، وذلك عند تعيينه لأول مرة في الخدمة، أو نقله من بلد إلى آخر داخل المملكة، أو نقله من داخل الممل
- Article 29
The article sets out the cases in which a member alone is carried on armed forces aircraft both ways, or provided two economy tickets or their value, such as secondment, treatment, investigation and field leave.
يتم اركاب الفرد بمفرده ذهاباً واياباً على احدى طائرات القوات المسلحة أو تؤمن له تذكرتا ركاب بالدرجة السياحية بالطائرات أو يصرف له ما يعادل قيمة التذكرة السياحية
- Article 30
The article sets out the cases in which a member and his family members are carried both ways, or provided economy tickets or their value, such as working abroad, long secondment, scholarship and transfer abroad.
يتم اركاب الفرد وافراد عائلته ذهاباً واياباً على احدى طائرات القوات المسلحة أو تؤمن لهم تذاكر الاركاب بالدرجة السياحية بالطائرة أو يصرف له ما يعادل قيمة التذاكر
- Article 31
The article provides for returning a member working outside the Kingdom and his family to it by economy class air travel when his service ends, and transporting his body to the Kingdom at his family's request at his body's expense if he dies.
في حالة انتهاء خدمة الفرد الذي يعمل خارج المملكة يتم ترحيله وعائلته إلى المملكة بالطائرة بالدرجة السياحية وفي حالة وفاة الفرد فيتم بطلب عائلته نقل جثمانه إلى ال
- Article 32
The article gives a member on annual leave the right to a half-price round-trip ticket for himself, his wife and children on Saudi Airlines inside the Kingdom once a year.
يحق للفرد الذي يتمتع بإجازة سنوية أن يحصل على تذكرة اركاب ذهاباً واياباً بنصف الأجرة له ولزوجته وأولاده على طائرات مؤسسة الخطوط الجوية العربية السعودية وفي حدود
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.