Article 5 of the Saudi Security Guard Law
المادة 5 من نظام الحراسة الأمنية المدنية الخاصة
The article requires all employees of guard companies and establishments, and all security guards, to be Saudis, and refers the guards' tasks and conditions to the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يشترط أن يكون جميع العاملين في شركات ومؤسسات الحراسة الأمنية المدنية الخاصة من السعوديين، كما يشترط أن يكون الحراس الأمنيون المدنيون سعوديين. وتحدد اللائحة مهمات الحراس الأمنيين والشروط الواجب توافرها فيهم.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article sets a rule of full Saudization in the private civil security guard sector, at two levels:
- All employees of private civil security guard companies and establishments must be Saudis. The text is general: it is not limited to guards but covers everyone who works in these companies and establishments.
- Civilian security guards must be Saudis. The text is unqualified as to civilian security guards, so it does not distinguish between a guard working for a guard company and a guard working for another entity.
The article refers two matters to the Implementing Regulations:
- The tasks of security guards.
- The conditions they must meet.
Saudi nationality is a condition stated by the Law itself, whereas the other conditions for a guard, such as age, fitness or qualification, are not mentioned in the Law and are to be found in the Regulations.
If you have a specific case concerning employment in this sector, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in labor and administrative matters.
Practical example
A security guard company in Riyadh needs an accountant and a receptionist in addition to guards. Under this article all of them must be Saudis, not only the guards, because the text covers all employees of the company.
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 5 of the Saudi Security Guard Law
Can a guard company hire non-Saudis in administrative jobs?
No. The article requires all employees of private civil security guard companies and establishments to be Saudis.
What are the conditions for working as a security guard?
The Law requires the guard to be Saudi, and the Implementing Regulations specify the other conditions to be met and the guards' tasks.
More articles on Security Guards and Their Training
- Article 3
The article allows required entities and others to contract directly with licensed Saudi guards, and requires required entities to set up a security department if their guards number more than 20.
يجوز للجهات الملزمة بوضع الحراسة الأمنية المدنية الخاصة ، ولمن يطلبها من غير الملزمين بها – سواء كان فردا أو مجموعة أو منشأة – التعاقد المباشر مع أفراد سعوديين
- Article 6
The article requires licensed guard establishments and companies to train and qualify guards to perform their duties as specified by the Regulations.
تلتزم المؤسسة أو الشركة المرخص لها بالعمل في مجال الحراسة الأمنية المدنية الخاصة بتدريب الحراس وتأهيلهم لأداء واجباتهم وفق ما تحدده اللائحة.
- Article 8
The article requires security guards to wear the uniform set by the entity they work for, as the Regulations provide.
يلتزم الحراس بارتداء الزي الذي تحدده الجهة التي يعملون لديها وفق ما تقضي به اللائحة.
- Article 9
The article required guard companies existing when the Law was issued to terminate non-Saudi employees and replace them with Saudis within 90 days of the Law taking effect, under a joint committee's follow-up.
على المؤسسات والشركات القائمة حاليا بالحراسة الأمنية المدنية الخاصة إنهاء خدمات العاملين بها من غير السعوديين، وإحلال سعوديين محلهم، خلال تسعين يوما من تاريخ ال
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.