Article 54 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 54 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل الثالث عشر: إنهاء الخدمة
The article allows an enlisted member, without prejudice to Articles 6 and 7, to request the end of his service by a written request to his direct superior stating his wish to leave the service, and the Minister may accept or refuse it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
بدون اخلال بما ورد في المادتين 7,6 للفرد ان يطلب انهاء خدمته عن طريق طلب مكتوب يتقدمه الى مرجعه المباشر يبدى فيه رغبته في ترك الخدمة العسكرية وللوزير قبول طلبه او رفضه.
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 54 explained in plain English
This article governs the enlisted member's request to end his service, which is what is usually known as resignation. Its elements are:
- The form: a written request.
- To whom it is submitted: his direct superior.
- The content: in it he states his wish to leave military service.
- The decision: the Minister may accept or refuse the request.
The article begins with the phrase "without prejudice to what is stated in Articles 6 and 7," meaning that this right is limited by what those two articles provide. This includes what Article 7 provides, that the enlisted member after his appointment must remain in service for four years, after which his service may be ended at his request unless the circumstances of military work require his staying.
The essential point is that submitting the request does not mean the service ends automatically; the decision is the Minister's, who may accept or refuse. Article 55 also requires the member to continue performing his duties until he is notified of the decision accepting the end of his service, and his request is not accepted if he has been referred to a military trial until after his trial ends.
Anyone thinking of leaving the service who wants to know the consequences may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Sergeant Nizar has spent six years in service and wants to devote himself to other work. He submits a written request to his direct superior stating his wish to leave the service, then awaits the Minister's decision to accept or refuse, and continues his work until he is notified of the decision.
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 54 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
How does an enlisted member request the end of his service?
By a written request submitted to his direct superior in which he states his wish to leave military service.
May the Minister refuse a request to end service?
Yes. The article provides that the Minister may accept or refuse the request.
Can a member leave the service before four years?
The article preserves the provision of Article 7, which requires the member to remain in service for four years after his appointment.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 6Amended (1428 AH)
يعتبر الفرد تحت الاختبار لمدة سنة اعتباراً من تاريخ تعيينه فاذا لم يثبت صلاحيته خلال هذه المدة تنتهي خدمته بقرار من الجهة التي لها حق التعيين.
- Article 7
The article obliges an enlisted person to remain in service for four years after his appointment; after that his service may be ended at his request unless the circumstances of military work require him to stay.
يلزم الفرد بعد تعيينه البقاء في الخدمة لمدة أربع سنوات ويجوز بعدها انهاء خدمته بناء على طلبه ما لم تقضى ظروف العمل العسكري ببقائه.
More articles on Ending Personnel Service and Reinstatement
- Article 7
The article obliges an enlisted person to remain in service for four years after his appointment; after that his service may be ended at his request unless the circumstances of military work require him to stay.
يلزم الفرد بعد تعيينه البقاء في الخدمة لمدة أربع سنوات ويجوز بعدها انهاء خدمته بناء على طلبه ما لم تقضى ظروف العمل العسكري ببقائه.
- Article 55
The article requires the enlisted member to continue performing his duties until he is notified of the decision accepting the end of his service, and bars acceptance of his request if he has been referred to a military trial until after the trial ends.
على الفرد ان يستمر في أداء واجباته الى أن يبلغ بالقرار الصادر بقبول انهاء خدماته ولا يقبل طلب الفرد إذا كان محالا لمحاكمه عسكريه الابعد انتهاء محاكمته.
- Article 57
The article permits re-enlistment of a member when needed if he is at least two years under retirement age and meets the conditions of Article 4 except age, with a limit for those dismissed for absence.
أ- تجوز إعادة الفرد للخدمة إذا دعت الحاجة إلى ذلك وكانت سنه تقل عن سن الإحالة على التقاعد بسنتين على الأقل. ب- يجب أن تتوفر في الفرد المعاد للخدمة الشروط الوارد
- Article 66
The article permits the Minister, by decision, in war and emergency, not to be bound by one or more paragraphs of Articles 56, 57 and 58 of the Law.
يجوز بقرار من الوزير في حالة الحرب والطوارئ عدم التقيد بفقرة أو أكثر كما جاء في المواد (58،57،56) من هذا النظام.
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.