Article 33 of the Saudi Labor Law
المادة 33 من نظام العمل · الباب الثالث: توظيف غير السعوديين
Article 33 requires a non-Saudi worker to obtain a work permit from the Ministry before doing any work, and sets 3 conditions for granting it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز لغير السعودي أن يمارس عملًا، ولا يجوز أن يسمح له بمزاولته، إلا بعد الحصول على رخصة عمل من الوزارة وفق النموذج الذي تعده لهذا الغرض.
ويشترط لمنح الرخصة ما يأتي:
1 - أن يكون العامل قد دخل البلاد بطريقة مشروعة ومصرحًا له بالعمل.
2 - أن يكون من ذوي الكفايات المهنية أو المؤهلات الدراسية التي تحتاج إليها البلاد، ولا يوجد من أبناء البلاد من يحملها أو كان العدد الموجود منهم لا يفي بالحاجة، أو يكون من فئة العمال العاديين التي تحتاج إليها البلاد.
3 - أن يكون متعاقدًا مع صاحب عمل وتحت مسؤوليته.
ويقصد بكلمة (العمل) في هذه المادة كل عمل صناعي أو تجاري أو زراعي أو مالي أو غيره وأي خدمة بما في ذلك الخدمة المنزلية.
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 33 explained in plain English
Article 33 sets the basic rule for the work of non-Saudis in the Kingdom: a non-Saudi may not do any work, and an employer may not allow them to, except after obtaining a work permit from the Ministry in the form the Ministry prepares for this purpose. The obligation is therefore twofold: it falls on the worker who wants to work, and on the employer who allows them to do so.
The article requires 3 conditions together for granting the permit:
- Lawful entry and authorization to work: the worker entered the country in a lawful manner and is authorized to work.
- The need for the worker: the worker has the professional competencies or educational qualifications the country needs, and there are no Saudis who hold them or their number is not sufficient, or the worker belongs to the category of ordinary workers the country needs.
- A responsible employer: the worker is contracted with an employer and under its responsibility.
The article broadens the concept of "work" to include any industrial, commercial, agricultural, financial or other work, and any service, including domestic service, so no activity is excluded from the permit requirement on the ground of its nature or simplicity.
This article is linked to those before and after it: Article 32 requires the Ministry's approval for recruitment in the first place, before the worker comes, and then Article 33 requires the work permit before work begins, and Article 34 confirms that any other permit or license required by a different body to practice the profession does not replace the work permit, but is required alongside it.
In practice, the employer should not let a non-Saudi worker start work before the permit is completed, and the worker should make sure that their situation meets the three conditions. The details of the form and the issuing procedures are set by the Ministry. Where there is a dispute over the lawfulness of the work or the employer's responsibility, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in labor cases.
Practical example
A contracting company in Riyadh contracted with a non-Saudi engineer after obtaining the Ministry's approval for his recruitment under Article 32. The engineer arrived in the Kingdom on a lawful work visa, but the company wanted him to start work on site immediately, before the work permit was issued. Under Article 33 the engineer may not work, and the company may not allow him to, before the permit is obtained from the Ministry, even if he is contracted with it, under its responsibility and entered lawfully, because the permit is the condition that allows actual work. Also, his later obtaining a professional engineering license from another body does not replace the work permit under Article 34.
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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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 33 of the Saudi Labor Law
May a non-Saudi worker work before the work permit is issued?
No. Article 33 provides that a non-Saudi may not do any work, and may not be allowed to, except after obtaining a work permit from the Ministry in the form prepared for that purpose.
What are the conditions for granting a work permit to a non-Saudi?
Article 33 requires three conditions: the worker entered the country lawfully and is authorized to work; the worker has the competencies or qualifications the country needs or belongs to the category of ordinary workers required; and the worker is contracted with an employer and under its responsibility.
Does the work permit cover domestic workers?
Yes. Article 33 defines the word "work" as any industrial, commercial, agricultural, financial or other work and any service, including domestic service.
Is a professional license from another body enough instead of the work permit?
No. Article 34 provides that any permit or license required by another body to practice the work or profession does not replace the work permit referred to in Article 33.
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تحدد اللائحة قواعد سير العمل وإجراءاته في قنوات التوظيف، ونماذج السجلات والإشعارات والأوراق المستخدمة في أعمالها، وكذلك جداول تصنيف المهن وفقًا للتصنيف المهني ا
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.