Saudi Laws Update

Erring companies to be slapped with a maximum fine of SR500,000 February 24, 2025 The actual beneficiary rules apply to companies subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and foreign companies that operate within Saudi Arabia, except for joint-stock companies listed on the capital market. The actual beneficiary rules apply to companies subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and foreign companies that operate within Saudi Arabia, except for joint-stock companies listed on the capital market. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Minister of Commerce Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi has approved the actual beneficiary rules, which will take effect, in conjunction with the Commercial Registration Law, on April 3, 2025. Any company that violates the rules of the actual beneficiary shall be punished with a fine of up to SR500000 or any alternative penalty in accordance with the Companies Law and its executive regulations. The rules aim to enhance corporate transparency in line with international s...

  May 26, 2025 The service of transferring ownership of a sole proprietorship's commercial registration targets investors from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states and the transfer process will be completed within one day. The service of transferring ownership of a sole proprietorship's commercial registration targets investors from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states and the transfer process will be completed within one day. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce has clarified that there are five terms and conditions for transferring ownership of a sole proprietorship's commercial registration to another person. The transfer can be undertaken via the e-services of the Saudi Business Center's business platform: business.sa. The service of transferring ownership of a sole proprietorship's commercial registration targets investors from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states and the transfer process will be completed within one day. According to the conditions...

 May 26, 2025 The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said that, through Musaned, domestic workers can upload their CVs once their contract with their current employer ends. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said that, through Musaned, domestic workers can upload their CVs once their contract with their current employer ends.   Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched the “CV Upload” service for domestic workers through the Musaned platform, allowing employers to use it when transferring service of a worker to another employer. The ministry noted that this service is an innovative model designed to facilitate the selection of workers based on their résumé and to enable the smooth and streamlined transfer of services. The process is fully automated, enhancing employers’ access to domestic workers already residing in the Kingdom. Through Musaned, domestic workers can upload their CVs onc...

  May 25, 2025 Inspection teams from the Ministry of Commerce have seized more than 35,000 counterfeit smartphones and accessories at a facility in Riyadh Inspection teams from the Ministry of Commerce have seized more than 35,000 counterfeit smartphones and accessories at a facility in Riyadh Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Inspection teams from the Ministry of Commerce have seized more than 35,000 counterfeit smartphones and accessories at a facility in Riyadh. The inspection teams, in cooperation with the security authorities, raided the facility. They found counterfeit phones of unknown origin and accessories, including charging cables, earphones, and other items in the warehouses of the firm. They also detected labels used to fake the country of origin and labels of well-known brands. The facility was closed and those involved in the fraud were referred to the concerned authorities to take punitive measures against them. The counterfeiting case was also referred to the Saudi Aut...

May 25, 2025 Saudi and Chinese officials discuss consumer complaints in auto sector Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce held a joint meeting with representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia to discuss urgent consumer-related challenges in the Kingdom’s fast-growing Chinese automotive sector. The session, which also included participation from the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), focused on identifying solutions to enhance consumer protection and improve after-sales services provided by Chinese car dealers and manufacturers operating in the Saudi market. Officials reviewed the current and projected growth of Chinese vehicle sales in the Kingdom, along with persistent consumer complaints related to after-sales performance and service quality. The goal, according to the Ministry, is to elevate customer experience and ensure Chinese automotive brands meet local standards as demand continues to r...

May 25, 2025 Commerce Ministry unveils updated digital commercial registration with QR code access Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce has introduced a redesigned digital commercial registration (CR) certificate for businesses in Saudi Arabia, featuring a more streamlined format and improved data accessibility. The updated CR now consists of a single-page electronic certificate containing all relevant business information. Users can instantly access detailed data by scanning a QR code displayed on the left side of the certificate. This update coincides with the implementation of the new Commercial Registry Law and its executive regulations. Among the key changes is the transition to a unified national CR per establishment, consolidating all activities under one license regardless of geographic location within the Kingdom. The revised system also eliminates the traditional expiration date for the CR. Instead, businesses are now required to electronically confirm their...

 May 25, 2025 Saudi Insurance Authority strips licenses from 28 insurance firms in sector shake-up Follow Saudigazette on Google News Account Saudi Gazette Report RIYADH — The Insurance Authority (IA) has issued final decisions to revoke the licenses of several insurance and brokerage companies operating in Saudi Arabia, as part of broader corrective measures to stabilize and enhance the sector’s performance and credibility. The decisions, based on the Cooperative Insurance Companies Control Law and relevant regulations, follow a series of actions initiated on August 28, 2024, and are intended to safeguard the rights of insured individuals and beneficiaries while supporting financial stability. Among the companies whose licenses have been revoked are Shire Insurance Agency Company, Al-Bulurat Insurance Brokerage Services Company, Al-Sabil Asia Insurance and Reinsurance Brokerage Company, Al-Aman Insurance and Reinsurance Brokerage Company, and Future Vision Insurance Brokerage Comp...

May 25, 2025 Saudi Arabia raises wage support for 43 tourism jobs Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Tourism has announced an increase in wage support for Saudi workers in the tourism sector, raising the financial contribution provided through the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) from 30% to 50%. The updated support applies to 43 job roles and licensed tourism activities, as part of the ministry’s broader effort to localize the sector and empower national talent. The initiative is part of the "Ahlaha" program, which aims to equip and employ Saudi nationals in tourism-related professions by enhancing job stability, workforce sustainability, and overall attractiveness of tourism careers for citizens. The ministry emphasized that the move aligns with its ongoing collaboration with relevant government entities to increase Saudization levels across the tourism industry. The goal is to make tourism a key sector for employment and sustainable economic growth. The ...

 New regulation strengthens GACA’s oversight of airports and companies May 24, 2025 The regulation, published in Umm Al-Qura newspaper on Friday, aims to strengthen oversight of airlines, airports, and entities operating in the sector. The regulation, published in Umm Al-Qura newspaper on Friday, aims to strengthen oversight of airlines, airports, and entities operating in the sector. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The new regulation grants the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) financial and administrative independence and broad powers to regulate and develop the sector, in line with the national strategy for transport and logistics services and enhancing the sector's investment attractiveness. The regulation, published in Umm Al-Qura newspaper on Friday, aims to strengthen oversight of airlines, airports, and entities operating in the sector, as well as to ensure their compliance with regulations and standards. It also aims to introduce new policies and legislation, as wel...

 May 22, 2025 The Ministry of Commerce has clarified that updating commercial registration owner data electronically allows access to all electronic services provided by the ministry to the business sector. The Ministry of Commerce has clarified that updating commercial registration owner data electronically allows access to all electronic services provided by the ministry to the business sector. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce has clarified that updating commercial registration owner data electronically allows access to all electronic services provided by the ministry to the business sector in partnership with the Saudi Center for Economic Business. The ministry explained that there are certain terms and conditions for completing the procedures of updating commercial registration. These include an active commercial registration and the age of the applicant should be 18 years or above. The update is not possible for employees who are working in the government...

 May 22, 2025 Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim addressing the Saudi-Spanish Business Forum in Riyadh on Thursday. Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim addressing the Saudi-Spanish Business Forum in Riyadh on Thursday.   Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim emphasized that Saudi Arabia is now opening its doors to the world and has a roadmap in line with Vision 2030. "The Kingdom has developed smart legislation and digital systems to meet the needs of international investors. There are significant changes not only in the regulations and laws governing investment and business, but also in the way business is conducted, adopting smart systems, digital transformation, and regulations focusing on attracting investment," he said while addressing the Saudi-Spanish Business Forum in Riyadh on Thursday. Al-Ibrahim said that Saudi Arabia is advancing toward global competitiveness and a knowledge-based economy. ...

May 21, 2025 The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has proposed revision of the penalties for violations of Labor Law and its executive regulations Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has proposed revision of the penalties for violations of Labor Law and its executive regulations. Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi has decided to update the list of violations and penalties, based on the new amendments to the Labor Law and its executive regulations. The Ministry published the table of violations and penalties on the Istithlaa public survey platform, seeking the opinion of the stakeholders and the public before implementing the new proposals. The ministry noted that this update aims to clearly and precisely define violations for both establishments and inspectors, reducing the need for discretion and personal judgment in implementing regulations across different categories of companies and es...

 May 21, 2025 The HADAF said in a statement that the number of beneficiaries of the training, empowerment, and guidance services and programs, carried out by the Fund, during the first quarter of this year reached 1.18 million. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) has extended support to hire as many as 143,000 Saudi men and women in the private sector establishments during the first quarter of 2025 and this figure showed a jump of 93 percent compared to the same period last year. The HADAF said in a statement that the number of beneficiaries of the training, empowerment, and guidance services and programs, carried out by the Fund, during the first quarter of this year reached 1.18 million, a growth rate of 4 percent compared to the first quarter of last year. The number of establishments that benefited from the HADAF support programs during the same period exceeded 98,000 in various sectors of the labor market across the Kingdom. This number r...

 May 01, 2025 The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development clarified that the Labor Law allows employees to avail of paid leave to perform Hajj once in their service period if they have not previously performed it. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development clarified that the Labor Law allows employees to avail of paid leave to perform Hajj once in their service period if they have not previously performed it. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development emphasized that Hajj leave must not be less than 10 days and not more than 15 days, including Eid al-Adha holiday, for those employees performing the annual pilgrimage of Hajj for the first time. In a statement marking the beginning of the Hajj season, the ministry clarified that the Labor Law allows employees to avail of paid leave to perform Hajj once in their service period if they have not previously performed it, provided they have completed at least two consecutive...

  May 01, 2025 Officials from the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority carried out as many as 2807 inspection visits during April, and conducted investigations into charges against 385 suspects. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has arrested 140 Saudi citizens and expatriates over corruption charges during the month of April 2025. Some of the arrested persons were released on bail. Officials from the authority carried out as many as 2807 inspection visits during April, and conducted investigations into charges against 385 suspects. They include employees from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and the King Fahd Causeway Authority. The investigations led to the arrest of 140 persons for their suspected involvement in charges such as bribery and abuse of power. The Nazaha confirmed that leg...

May 01, 2025 Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has approved regulations for advertising job vacancies and training leading to employment, as well as procedures for conducting job interviews in the private sector. The job vacancy announcements and job interviews must not contain any form of discrimination, such as discrimination based on gender, disability, age, marital status, or any other form of discrimination. The new regulations, announced by the ministry, prohibit the practice of brokering or advertising the employment of Saudis unless the activity is licensed by the ministry and is subject to the regulations and rules governing the practice of brokering the employment of Saudis. At the same time, the regulations emphasize the importance of obtaining the necessary licenses for job fairs or public invitations for jobs outside of workplaces through the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority, in accordance with the regul...

  May 01, 2025 The amendments unify the tax application stages, with the annual tax now covering individual or combined landholdings of 5,000 square meters or more within designated urban zones. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH —  Saudi Arabia has approved amendments to its White Land Tax Law, raising the annual levy on undeveloped land from 2.5% to 10% of its value and introducing, for the first time, an annual tax on long-vacant properties without justified use. The changes, passed during Tuesday’s Cabinet session, are aimed at boosting property development and increasing housing supply, as the government works to address rising real estate prices. The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing announced plans to offer housing units across various regions in partnership with private developers, priced between SR250,000 and SR1.2 million. The initiative targets raising Saudi homeownership to 66% this year, according to Minister Majed Al-Hogail during a recent government p...