Article 9 of the Saudi Travel Document Law
المادة 9 من نظام وثائق السفر
The 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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تقوم ممثليات المملكة في الخارج بتسجيل جوازات سفر السعوديين الذين يتقدمون إليها بطلب ذلك، كما تتولى وزارة الداخلية و وزارة الخارجية تحديد الحالات التي يكون فيها التسجيل إلزاميا، وإجراءات ذلك.
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 9 explained in plain English
This article deals with registering Saudis' passports abroad, and distinguishes two kinds of registration:
- Registration on request: the Kingdom's missions abroad, such as embassies and consulates, register the passports of Saudis who apply to them for it. The rule is that registration takes place at the request of the passport holder.
- Compulsory registration: the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs determine the cases in which registration is compulsory, and the procedures for it.
The article does not list the cases of compulsory registration but leaves determining them to the two Ministries. A person who lives abroad or travels there is therefore well advised to find out whether his situation is one the two Ministries have determined for compulsory registration.
This article connects with Article 8, which requires reporting the loss or damage of a passport or laissez-passer, inside or outside the Kingdom, within a period not exceeding one week from the date of becoming aware of it, and suspending them. A citizen abroad may need to deal with the Kingdom's missions on more than one matter concerning his passport.
Article 10 bis follows it, which refers to the Regulations the classification of violations and their penalties, within Article 10.
Practical example
Faisal moved to another country for university study. He may apply to the Kingdom's embassy there to register his passport, and should check whether his situation is one the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs have determined for compulsory registration.
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 9 of the Saudi Travel Document Law
Must I register my passport at the Saudi embassy abroad?
The rule is that the missions register the passports of those who request it, and the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs determine the cases in which registration is compulsory.
Who determines the cases of compulsory registration?
The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also determine the registration procedures.
Where does a Saudi register his passport abroad?
With the Kingdom's missions abroad.
More articles on Types of Travel Documents and Their Issuance
- Article 1
The 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.
وثائق السفر التي تصدر باسم حكومة المملكة العربية السعودية وتخول حاملها السفر هي : 1 - جواز السفر . 2 - تذكرة المرور . 3 - جواز السفر الدبلوماسي . 4 - جواز السفر
- Article 2Amended (1440 AH)
The 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.
1- يمنح جواز السفر لكل من يقدم طلباً بذلك من حاملي الجنسية العربية السعودية، وذلك وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية. 2- لوزير الداخلية عند الاقتضاء إصدار جواز س
- Article 4Amended (1440 AH)
The 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.
يكون منح جواز السفر وتصريح السفر للخاضعين للحضانة والقصّر المتوفى وليّهم، وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية.
- Article 5
The 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.
لا يجوز لأي شخص الاحتفاظ بأكثر من جواز سفر ساري المفعول صادر وفقا لهذا النظام، وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية كيفية تأكد الجهة التي تصدره من ذلك.
- Article 13
The 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.
يحل هذا النظام ولائحته التنفيذية محل الأحكام المتعلقة بوثائق السفر الواردة في نظام الجوازات السفرية الصادر بالأمر السامي رقم (17 / 3 / 2 ) وتاريخ 19 / 1 / 1358
- Article 14
The 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.
يصدر وزير الداخلية اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام وتنشر في الجريدة الرسمية، وذلك خلال مدة لا تتجاوز ستة عشر شهرا من تاريخ نشر هذا النظام، على أن يعمل بها ابتداء
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.