Article 13 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality Law
المادة 13 من نظام الجنسية العربية السعودية
The article allows withdrawing nationality from a Saudi by a reasoned decree in four cases, with a warning at least three months earlier, liquidation of his property, and possible bar from residence or return.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز بمرسوم مسبب إسقاط الجنسية العربية السعودية عن أي سعودي في أية حالة من الحالات الآتية:
أ- إذا دخل في جنسية أخرى مخالفاً مقتضى المادة (11) من هذا النظام.
ب- إذا عمل في القوة المسلحة لإحدى الحكومات الأجنبية بدون موافقة سابقة من حكومة جلالة الملك.
جـ- إذا عمل لمصلحة دولة أو حكومة أجنبية وهي في حالة حرب مع المملكة العربية السعودية.
د- إذا قبل وظيفة لدى حكومة أجنبية أو هيئة دولية وبقي فيها بالرغم من الأمر الذي صدر إليه من حكومة جلالة الملك بتركها.
في جميع الأحول المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (أ) (ب) (جـ) (د) من هذه المادة يجب إنذار السعودي بعواقب عمله إنذارا صحيحا سابقا لمدة ثلاثة شهور على الأقل لتاريخ مرسوم إسقاط الجنسية العربية السعودية عنه، وفي جميع الأحوال التي تسقط فيها الجنسية العربية السعودية بمقتضى أحكام هذه المادة تجرى تصفية أملاك الشخص الذي أسقطت جنسيته وفقا لنظام تملك العقار كما يجوز حرمانه من الإقامة في أراضي المملكة العربية السعودية أو العودة إليها.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article sets the cases of withdrawing Saudi Arabian nationality from a Saudi, and makes withdrawal discretionary, issued by a reasoned decree, that is, one that states its reasons. There are four cases:
- (a) If he enters another nationality contrary to Article 11, that is, without prior permission from the Prime Minister.
- (b) If he serves in the armed forces of a foreign government without the prior approval of the Government of His Majesty.
- (c) If he works for the benefit of a foreign state or government that is at war with the Kingdom.
- (d) If he accepts a post with a foreign government or an international body and stays in it despite an order issued to him by the Government of His Majesty to leave it.
The safeguard of the warning: In all these cases the Saudi must be properly warned of the consequences of his act at least three months before the date of the withdrawal decree.
The effects: Once nationality is withdrawn under this article, the person's property is liquidated in accordance with the Real Estate Ownership Law, and he may also be barred from residence in the Kingdom's territory or from returning to it.
Article 11 confirms that a person who acquires a foreign nationality without permission remains Saudi until the Government sees fit to withdraw his nationality under this article, so withdrawal does not happen automatically. This differs from Article 12, which deals with the effects of permitted naturalization on the wife and minor children.
Anyone who has received a warning or fears one of these cases may apply to him is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in nationality and administrative cases.
Practical example
Majid, a Saudi, accepted a post with an international body outside the Kingdom, then an order was issued to him by the Government to leave it and he did not. Under paragraph (d), his nationality may be withdrawn by a reasoned decree, provided he is properly warned at least three months before the date of the decree.
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 13 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality Law
When is Saudi nationality withdrawn from a citizen?
It may be withdrawn by a reasoned decree if he enters another nationality without permission, serves in a foreign army without approval, works for a state at war with the Kingdom, or stays in a foreign post despite the order to leave it.
Must a person be warned before his nationality is withdrawn?
Yes. He must be properly warned of the consequences of his act at least three months before the date of the withdrawal decree.
What happens to the property of someone whose nationality is withdrawn?
His property is liquidated in accordance with the Real Estate Ownership Law, and he may also be barred from residing in the Kingdom or returning to it.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Revoking Saudi Nationality
- Article 11
The article bars a Saudi from acquiring a foreign nationality without prior permission from the Prime Minister; one who does so without permission stays Saudi unless nationality is withdrawn under Article 13.
لا يجوز لسعودي أن يتجنس بجنسية أجنبية دون إذن سابق من رئيس مجلس الوزراء، والسعودي الذي يتجنس بجنسية أجنبية قبيل الحصول مقدما على هذا الإذن يظل معتبرا سعوديا إلا
- Article 19
The article shows the effect of withdrawal of nationality on a person's wife and children: the wife may choose and regain, minor children living outside the Kingdom may choose nationality at majority, and withdrawal under Article 11 does not extend to his family.
تسري الأحكام الآتية على زوجات وأولاد من تسقط عنهم الجنسية العربية السعودية . أ- زوجة من تسقط عنه الجنسية العربية بمقتضى المادة (13) يكون لها حق اختيار جنسية زوج
- Article 29
The article limits to the King alone the granting of nationality to one who does not meet the conditions of Article 9, and its withdrawal from a Saudi to whom Article 13 does not apply.
لا يحق لغير جلالة الملك منح الجنسية لمن لا تتوفر لديه الشرائط المنصوص عليها في المادة (9) وكذلك إسقاط الجنسية عن أي سعودي لا تنطبق عليه الأحكام المدرجة في الماد
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.