In force Last amended 1/6/1444 AH
Saudi Travel Document Law
نظام وثائق السفر
Covers Saudi travel documents, how they are issued, travel and travel bans, penalties and fees. It has 16 articles and takes effect 18 months after publication in the Official Gazette.
- Articles
- 16
- In force
- 15
- Amended
- 7
- Issued
- 28/5/1421 AH
Issued by: مرسوم ملكي رقم م/24 بتاريخ 28 / 5 / 1421 · قرار مجلس الوزراء رقم 122 بتاريخ 21 / 5 / 1421
Each article shows the official Arabic text, which is the only legally binding version, followed by our plain-English explanation.
Browse Travel Document Law by topic
Articles of the Saudi Travel Document Law
- Article 1The article sets out the travel documents issued in the Kingdom's name (passport, laissez-passer, diplomatic passport and special passport) and the body that issues each.
- Article 2The article provides that a passport is granted to every Saudi who requests it in accordance with the Regulations, and allows the Minister of Interior, when necessary, to issue a temporary passport or laissez-passer to a non-Saudi.Amended
- Article 3يجوز أن يشمل جواز السفر زوجة حامله السعودية وبناته غير المتزوجات. وأبناءه القصر وفقا لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية.Repealed
- Article 4The article refers to the Implementing Regulations to regulate granting a passport and travel permit to persons under custody and to minors whose guardian has died.Amended
- Article 5The article prevents any person from keeping more than one valid passport issued under the Law, and refers to the Regulations for how the issuing body is to make sure of that.
- Article 6The article provides that no one may leave without a valid document and through the designated ports, and that no travel ban may be imposed except by court judgment or a decision of the Minister of Interior or the head of State Security under conditions, with notice within a week.
- Article 7The article makes it the Minister of Interior's task to determine the countries to which travel is not permitted, and the passport departments take the appropriate action under the Regulations.
- Article 8The article requires reporting the loss or damage of a passport or laissez-passer, inside or outside the Kingdom, within a week of becoming aware of it; the document is then suspended, and the Regulations set the bodies and replacement procedures.
- Article 9The article makes the Kingdom's missions abroad register the passports of Saudis who request it, and tasks the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs with determining the cases and procedures of compulsory registration.
- Article 10مع عدم الإخلال بأي عقوبة أشد تنص عليها الأنظمة الأخرى - يعاقب بغرامة لا تزيد عن خمسة آلاف ريال أو بالمنع من السفر مدة لا تزيد على ثلاث…Amended
- Article 10 bisThe article refers to the Implementing Regulations the classification of violations of the Law and Regulations and the penalty for each, within Article 10, taking into account the nature, gravity, circumstances and repetition of the violation.
- Article 11The article regulates the committee on travel document violations, the penalty by decision of the Minister or his delegate with a grievance before the Board of Grievances, referral to the Public Prosecution, and automatic cancellation of the document in specified cases.Amended
- Article 12The article sets travel document fees: SAR 60 per year for issuing or renewing a passport, SAR 50 for a laissez-passer, and SAR 500 for issue or renewal within 24 hours; the Council of Ministers may amend them.Amended M/71
- Article 13The article provides that the Travel Document Law and its Regulations replace the travel document provisions of the Travel Passports Law of 1358 AH, with its instructions and decisions, from the date they take effect.
- Article 14The article requires the Minister of Interior to issue the Implementing Regulations and publish them in the Official Gazette within no more than 16 months of the Law's publication, to apply from the date the Law takes effect.
- Article 15The article provides that the Travel Document Law is published in the Official Gazette and takes effect after 18 months have passed from the date of its publication.