Article 24 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality Law
المادة 24 من نظام الجنسية العربية السعودية
The article makes the Ministry of Interior the body with original jurisdiction to implement the Nationality Law, sets how declarations and applications are submitted inside and outside the Kingdom, and lets the Minister authorize other employees to receive them.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
وزارة الداخلية هي الجهة صاحبة الاختصاص الأصلي في تنفيذ هذا القانون والإقرارات والإعلانات والأوراق والطلبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، يجب أن توجه إلى وزير الداخلية بطريق الإعلان الرسمي أو بموجب إيصال إلى الموظف المختص في الدائرة التابع لها محل إقامة صاحب الشأن، وفي الخارج تسلم للممثلين السياسيين لحكومة جلالة الملك أو إلى قناصلها. ويجوز بقرار من وزير الداخلية أن يرخص لأي موظف آخر في تسلم هذه الإقرارات والإعلانات والطلبات والأوراق.
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 24 explained in plain English
This article sets the competent body for applying the Nationality Law, and how to submit the papers relating to it:
- Jurisdiction: The Ministry of Interior is the body with original jurisdiction to implement this Law.
- Inside the Kingdom: The declarations, notices, papers and applications provided for in the Law must be addressed to the Minister of Interior, either by official notice, or against a receipt to the competent employee in the department to which the interested person's place of residence belongs.
- Outside the Kingdom: They are delivered to the political representatives of the Government of His Majesty or to its consuls.
- Extension: By decision of the Minister of Interior, any other employee may be authorized to receive these papers.
The importance of the article in practice is that submitting the application or declaration in the specified way proves its arrival at the competent body, which is why the article mentions official notice and the receipt. The article contains no fees or periods for deciding on applications.
It is linked to Article 25, which provides that decrees and decisions on acquiring, withdrawing, forfeiting or regaining nationality are in force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. Article 23 also deals with the effects of withdrawing nationality from the naturalized person and from those who acquired it with him by dependency.
Anyone who needs to submit an application or declaration and wants to be sure the way he submits it is sound is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in nationality and administrative cases.
Practical example
Noura, a Saudi married to a foreigner, lives outside the Kingdom and wants to submit a declaration concerning her nationality. Under this article she delivers it to the Saudi embassy or consulate in the country where she lives; if she were inside the Kingdom, she would address it to the Minister of Interior through the department to which her place of residence belongs, against a receipt.
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 24 of the Saudi Arabian Nationality Law
Which body is competent for Saudi nationality matters?
The Ministry of Interior is the body with original jurisdiction to implement the Nationality Law.
How do I submit a nationality application from outside the Kingdom?
Applications and declarations abroad are delivered to the political representatives of the Kingdom's government or to its consuls.
Is a receipt required when submitting an application?
Applications are addressed to the Minister of Interior by official notice or against a receipt to the competent employee in the department to which the interested person's place of residence belongs.
More articles on Definitions and Provisions of the Nationality Law
- Article 1
The article sets the official name of this law: the "Saudi Arabian Nationality Law".
يسمى هذا النظام " نظام الجنسية العربية السعودية ".
- Article 2
The article provides that the Nationality Law is not retroactive, and that valid decisions and nationalities granted under earlier laws remain in place as long as they rest on a valid procedure and proof.
ليس لهذا النظام أثر رجعي وتعتبر جميع القرارات والإجراءات الصحيحة التي تمت بموجب الأنظمة السابقة نافذة كما تعتبر الجنسيات التي منحت استناداً إلى تلك النظم قائمة
- Article 3
The article defines the basic terms of the Nationality Law: Saudi, naturalized Saudi, foreigner, minor, age of majority, and the scope of the Kingdom's territory.
الألفاظ الآتية تؤدي في هذا النظام المعاني الآتية: أ- السعودي هو من كان تابعا لحكومة حضرة صاحب الجلالة الملك المعظم طبقا لأحكام هذا النظام. ب- السعودي بالتجنس هو
- Article 25
The article provides that all decrees and decisions on acquiring, withdrawing, forfeiting or regaining nationality take effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
جميع المراسيم والقرارات الخاصة بكسب الجنسية العربية السعودية أو بسحبها أو بإسقاطها أو باستردادها تعتبر نافذة من تاريخ نشرها في الجريدة الرسمية.
- Article 27Amended (1425 AH)
The article charges the Minister of Interior with issuing the Implementing Regulations of the Nationality Law within 120 days of the amendment's publication, and with issuing the decisions the Law needs.
يصدر وزير الداخلية اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام خلال مائة وعشرين يوما من تاريخ نشر هذا التعديل، كما يصدر القرارات اللازمة لهذا النظام.
- Article 28
The article repeals the nationality law issued in 1357 AH and the earlier Hejaz and Hejaz-Najd nationality regulations, and any provision in other laws that conflicts with this Law.
يلغي هذا النظام نظام الجنسية العربية السعودية الذي صدرت الإرادة الملكية السنية رقم 7 / 1 / 47 في تاريخ 13 شوال 1357هـ بالموافقة عليه، وما سبقه ومن نظم خاصة بالت
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.