Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior
Ministerial Agency of Civil Affairs
Saudi Arabian Citizenship System:
The Saudi Citizenship System was approved by the Cabinet according to the Decision no. 4 dated in 25/1/1374
Hijra, as follows:
1-
This system is called the Saudi Arabian Citizenship System
2-
This system has no retroactive effect, and all decisions and procedures executed according to the previ-
ous systems are considered valid. In addition, the citizenships granted according to the previous systems are
considered valid.
3-
The following expressions in the system indicate the description below:
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The Saudi is whoever follows the Government of His Majesty the King according to this system’s regula-
tions.
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The Saudi by naturalisation is whoever acquired the Saudi Arabian Citizenship according to its regula-
tions.
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The foreigner is the Non-Saudi.
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The minor is : underage – crazy – insane
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Age of maturity is according to the terms mentioned in the Islamic Shari>ah.
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia includes lands, water and atmospheric layer under the sovereignty of the
Saudi Arabian. In addition, it includes ships and aircrafts that have the Saudi Arabian flag.
4-
The Saudis Are:
a-
Whoever acquired an Ottoman Nationality in year 1332 Hijra – 1914 A.D. of original Saudi Arabian
land>s inhabitants.
b-
Ottoman Citizens born in Saudi Arabian land or residents inside the Kingdom from 1332 Hijra – 1914
A.D. until 22/3/1345 Hijra and did not acquire a foreign citizenship prior to this date.
c-
Non-Ottoman Citizens who resided in the Saudi Arabian land from 1332 Hijra – 1914 A.D. until 22/3/
1345 Hijra and did not acquire a foreign citizenship prior to this date.
5-
The Term in Paragraph (a) of the 4th Article is valid for original female inhabitants inside the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia who applied for the Saudi Citizenship recovery after their divorce or the husband>s death.
6-
After one year of this system’s validity; requests to acquire Saudi Citizenship Certificates are rejected for
individuals matching the Paragraphs (b) and (c) of the 4th Article regarding an underage who he reached the
legal age for more than one year.
7-
Individuals born inside or outside the Kingdom from a Saudi father, or Saudi mother and unknown
father, or born inside the Kingdom from unknown parents (foundling) are considered Saudis. The foundling
inside the Kingdom is considered born in it unless the opposite is proven.
8-
Individuals born inside the Kingdom from Non-Saudi father and Saudi mother may be granted Saudi
Citizenship by the decision of The Minister of Interior in case of the following conditions:
a-
Having a permanent Resident Permit (Iqama) when he reaches the legal age.