Article 57 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 57 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل الرابع عشر: الإعادة للخدمة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الواردة في المادة (4) ماعدا الفقرة (د).
ج- لا يجوز إعادة من فصل من الخدمة أكثر من مرتين وفقا للفقرة (و) من المادة (56).
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 57 explained in plain English
This article governs the return of an enlisted member to service after leaving it, in three paragraphs:
(a) Permissibility and the age condition: re-enlistment is permitted if there is a need for it and the member's age is at least two years under the age of retirement. The article does not set the retirement age itself.
(b) Conditions of appointment: the person re-enlisted must meet the conditions of Article 4 except paragraph (d) on age (18 to 40 years). He must therefore be Saudi by origin and upbringing, with the exception stated there, of good conduct and not sentenced for a crime involving moral turpitude and breach of trust unless his standing has been restored, medically fit, not an employee of a government body, and, in the case of a technician, hold the qualifications set by the Regulations.
(c) The limit on re-enlistment: a person who has been dismissed more than twice under paragraph (f) of Article 56 may not be re-enlisted, which is the case of a member who stays away from work without a legitimate excuse for a week or overstays leave by a month and a decision to dismiss him for that is issued.
Re-enlistment is permissive and tied to the body's need, so it is not a right of the member. Rank and salary on re-enlistment are governed by Article 58. Anyone wishing to return may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Private First Class Fares left the service two years ago and is now 43, and wishes to return. Exceeding age forty does not bar him because paragraph (d) of Article 4 is excepted, but the body must need him, his age must be at least two years under retirement age, and he must meet the other conditions of Article 4.
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 57 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
Can one return to military service after leaving it?
An enlisted member may be re-enlisted if there is a need and his age is at least two years under the age of retirement and he meets the conditions of Article 4 except the age condition.
Is a member dismissed for absence re-enlisted?
A person who has been dismissed from service more than twice under paragraph (f) of Article 56 may not be re-enlisted.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 4Amended (1443 AH)
The article sets the conditions for appointing an enlisted person: Saudi origin and upbringing, good conduct, medical fitness, age between 18 and 40, not being a government employee, and the qualifications of technical personnel.
يشترط في تعيين الفرد ما يلي: أ- أن يكون سعودي الأصل والمنشأ ويستثنى من شرط المنشأ من نشأ مع والده أثناء خدمته للدولة خارج المملكة ب- أن يكون حسن السيرة والسلوك
- Article 56Amended (1424 AH)
تعتبر خدمات الفرد منتهية لاحد الأسباب التالية: أ- الاستغناء عن خدماته حسب مقتضيات مصلحة العمل. ب- الإحالة على التقاعد. ج- الطرد من الخدمة بناء على قرار عسكري. د
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 54
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.
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
- 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 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.