Article 34 of the Saudi Labor Law
المادة 34 من نظام العمل · الباب الثالث: توظيف غير السعوديين
Article 34 provides that any permit or license required by another body to practice the work or profession does not replace the work permit issued by the Ministry to a non-Saudi.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يغني عن رخصة العمل المشار إليها أي تصريح أو ترخيص يكون مطلوبًا من جهة أخرى لممارسة العمل أو المهنة.
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 34 explained in plain English
Article 34 complements Article 33 of the Labor Law, which requires a non-Saudi worker to obtain a work permit from the Ministry before doing any work, and before being allowed to do it. Article 34 closes a door that some employers or workers might open to escape this condition, and lays down a clear rule: the work permit is an independent condition that no other license replaces.
What the rule means in practice:
- Many professions and jobs require a permit or license from a body other than the Ministry in order to practice them. These permits have their own purpose, but they do not replace the work permit provided for in Article 33.
- Holding a professional license or a practice permit from another body is not a substitute for the work permit, and does not relieve the employer of completing it before employing the worker.
- The rule works in one direction only: the article provides that other licenses do not replace the work permit, and it does not say that the work permit replaces other licenses. If the profession requires a permit from another body, that requirement remains in place under its own provisions.
Who is bound by this rule? The non-Saudi worker, who may not practice work without a work permit, and the employer, who may not allow them to practice without it, as Article 33 provides. Note that Article 33 defines the word "work" broadly to include any industrial, commercial, agricultural, financial or other work and any service, including domestic service.
This article is also linked to Article 35, which allows the Ministry to refrain from renewing the work permit where the employer violates the localization standards or the requirements in the Regulations; the work permit is the tool through which the Ministry monitors the employment of non-Saudis, which is why it cannot be dispensed with by any other license.
If your situation combines a professional license and a work permit, or you doubt that the employment papers are complete, it is better to consult a lawyer specialized in labor cases before starting work.
Practical example
A contracting company in Dammam contracted with a non-Saudi engineer who holds a valid professional license from the body competent for his profession. The human resources manager thought this license was enough to start work immediately, so he asked the engineer to begin his duties on site before the work permit was obtained from the Ministry. Under Article 34 this understanding is incorrect; the professional license does not replace the work permit required in Article 33, and the company must complete the work permit before allowing the engineer to do his work, while the professional license remains required in its own right to practice the profession.
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 34 of the Saudi Labor Law
Is a professional license enough for a non-Saudi to practice work in Saudi Arabia?
No. Article 34 of the Labor Law provides that any permit or license required by another body does not replace the work permit, so obtaining the work permit from the Ministry under Article 33 remains a necessary condition.
Does the work permit replace the other licenses required for the profession?
Article 34 does not provide for that. It provides only that other licenses do not take the place of the work permit, and it does not exempt from any permit the profession requires from another body.
Who is responsible for obtaining the work permit for a non-Saudi?
Under Article 33, a non-Saudi may not practice work, and may not be allowed to, except after obtaining the work permit from the Ministry, and it is required that the worker be contracted with an employer and under its responsibility.
Which body issues the work permit?
The Ministry issues it in the form it prepares for this purpose, as Article 33 of the Labor Law provides, and under Article 34 no license from another body is accepted in its place.
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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.