Issued on: 3 Sha’ban 1447
Corresponding to: 22 January 2026
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5143 issued on 6 February 2026.
The Council of Ministers,
after perusal in its session held under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, of Royal Court File 625 dated 3 Muharram 1447 [28 June 2025], which includes Saudi Authority for Gaming and Esports Letter 267 dated 26 Dhu Al-Hijja 1446 [22 June 2025], regarding the request of the authority to be exempted from submitting the annual report for the first fiscal year ending on 31 December 2024,
after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 436 dated 6 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [19 December 2023],
after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 555 dated 6 Safar 1447 [31 July 2025], Memo 1311 dated 8 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [30 September 2025], and Memo 1709 dated 7 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [29 October 2025],
after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Minutes 359/47/M dated 27 Safar 1447 [21 August 2025],
and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 5831 dated 27 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [18 November 2025],
hereby decides
The amendment of the ending of clause Fourth of Council of Ministers Decision 436 dated 6 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [19 December 2023] is hereby approved so that the clause reads as follows:
Fourth
As an exception to the provisions of clause 12(2) of the Organizational Arrangements of the Saudi Authority for Gaming and Esports, the first fiscal year of the Saudi Authority for Gaming and Esports begins from the date of entry into force of its organizational arrangements, and ends at the end of the fiscal year 1448/1449 [2027].
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
Issued on: 1 Sha’ban 1447
Corresponding to: 20 January 2026
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5142 issued on 30 January 2026.
The Minister of Justice,
based on the powers entrusted to him by law,
based on Royal Order 59641 dated 17 Sha’ban 1446 [16 February 2025] Approving the Regulation of the Personal Status Law, and the Minister of Justice setting the Arrangements for Hearing the Lawsuit to Prove a Marriage Contract Signed Without the Permission of the Competent Entity Where Permission Is Required, in coordination with the relevant entities,
after reviewing the studies and reports prepared in this regard,
after coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant entities,
and in pursuance of the interest of work,
hereby decides
First
The Arrangements for Hearing the Lawsuit to Prove a Marriage Contract Signed Without the Permission of the Competent Entity Where Permission Is Required, is hereby approved in the form attached.
Second
This decision must be communicated to those who are required to adopt and implement it.
May Allah provide success.
Minister of Justice
Waleed bin Mohammed Al-Samaani
Issued on: 30 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 19 January 2026
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5133 issued on 29 December 2025.
Issued on: 26 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 15 January 2026
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5143 issued on 6 February 2026.
The Council of Ministers,
after perusal in its session held under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, of Royal Court File 45264 dated 22 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [23 December 2024], which includes the Minister of Commerce Telegram 20257 dated 18 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [19 December 2024], regarding the review of the provisions of article 5 of the Franchise Law issued by Royal Decree D/22 dated 9 Safar 1441 [8 October 2019],
after perusal of the Franchise Law issued by Royal Decree D/22 dated 9 Safar 1441 [8 October 2019],
after perusal of clause Third of Royal Decree D/22 dated 9 Safar 1441 [8 October 2019],
after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 1174 dated 6 Rabi Al-Thani 1446 [9 October 2024], Memo 3014 dated 4 Ramadan 1446 [4 March 2025], Memo 4098 dated 21 Dhu Al-Hijja 1446 [17 June 2025], Memo 850 dated 26 Safar 1447 [20 September 2025], and Memo 1854 dated 20 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [11 November 2025],
after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 9-4/47/R dated 3 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [25 September 2025],
and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 6296 dated 9 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [30 November 2025],
hereby decides
First
The non-application of the requirement provided in article 5(1) of the Franchise Law—issued by Royal Decree D/22 dated 9 Safar 1441 [8 October 2019]—is hereby approved in regard to certain categories of franchisors and franchisees, in accordance with the following:
| Criteria | Criteria Details |
| 1․ The franchise business must be in a promising sector in the Kingdom and the goal is to increase the number of practitioners in it. | If the franchise is within a targeted sector in Vision 2030 or its programs, and the goal is to expand the number of practitioners in it. |
| 2․ The franchisor must provide a clear and detailed franchise business model. | It contains detailed instructions and market analysis, and is a practical guide with a feasibility study that guarantees success. |
| 3․ That the franchise business activity is innovative, or a product or a service that contributes to the development of the national economy or meets the needs of the local market. | Innovation, economic impact, or response to market need is considered when evaluating demand. |
| 4․ That the franchisor does not require the franchisee to pay for the franchise before practicing the franchise business, and the fee must be after the franchisee achieves revenues from practicing the franchise business as determined by the franchise agreement. | To reduce operational risk to the franchisee and link the consideration to the realisation of actual revenue. |
Second
The application of the criteria—referred to in clause First of this decision—must be through a committee formed under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Commerce, and the membership of the Ministry of Investment and the Ministry of Economy and Planning.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
Issued on: 24 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 13 January 2026
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5142 issued on 30 January 2026.
The Council of Ministers,
after perusal in its session held under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, of Royal Court File 10496 dated 6 Safar 1447 [31 July 2025], which includes the Minister of Education, Chairman of the Council of Universities Affairs, Telegram 4601142728 dated 28 Muharram 1447 [23 July 2025], regarding his request for approval to appoint the Vice Minister of Education to the membership of the Council of University Affairs, replacing the Vice Minister of Education for Universities, Research, and Innovation,
after perusal of the Law of the Council of Ministers issued by Royal Order O/13 dated 3 Rabi Al-Awwal 1414 [20 August 1993],
after perusal of the Law of Universities issued by Royal Decree D/27 dated 2 Rabi Al-Awwal 1441 [30 October 2019],
after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 657 dated 10 Sha’ban 1445 [20 February 2024],
after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 1014 dated 11 Rabi Al-Awwal 1447 [3 September 2025],
after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 25-15/47/I dated 12 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [4 October 2025],
and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 5829 dated 27 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [18 November 2025],
hereby decides
Article 6(2) of the Law of Universities issued by Royal Decree D/27 dated 2 Rabi Al-Awwal 1441 [30 October 2019] is hereby amended by replacing the phrase “Vice Minister of Education for Universities, Research, and Innovation” with the phrase “Vice Minister of Education”.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
Issued on: 24 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 13 January 2026
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5141 issued on 23 January 2026.
The President of State Security,
based on the powers entrusted to us,
after perusal of the Law of the Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Benefit and Temporary Possession of Real Estate issued by Royal Decree D/15 dated 11 Rabi Al-Awwal 1424 [12 May 2003] and its executive regulation,
and in pursuance of public interest,
hereby decides
First
The commencement of the procedures for expropriating the land adjacent to the land of the Presidency of State Security located in Qassim Region is hereby approved for plots 3, 4, and 5 and part of plots 1 and 2, for compensation in kind with part of the land belonging to the presidency, for the benefit of the presidency and the expansion of establishments.
Second
The Presidency of State Security shall notify this decision to the relevant entities mentioned in articles 6 and 7 of the expropriation law in order to nominate its representatives within a period not exceeding 15 days in each of the Real Estate Description and Inventory Committee and the Compensation Assessment Committees. The presidency shall call for meetings, prepare minutes, and take the necessary measures for each committee to carry out its tasks.
Third
The concerned parties may file a grievance to the Board of Grievances against all decisions taken by the committees within 60 days from the date they are notified of the decision, in accordance with article 24 of the law.
Fourth
This decision must be published in the official gazette in accordance with the provisions of article 5(2) of the law.
Fifth
The Presidency of State Security shall follow up on the implementation of this decision and act in accordance with it.
May Allah provide success.
President of State Security
Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Huwairini
Issued on: 24 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 13 January 2026
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5141 issued on 23 January 2026.
With the help of Allah the Almighty
We, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud,
the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
based on article 70 of the Basic Law of Governance issued by Royal Order O/90 dated 27 Sha’ban 1412 [1 March 1992],
based on article 20 of the Law of the Council of Ministers issued by Royal Order O/13 dated 3 Rabi Al-Awwal 1414 [20 August 1993],
based on article 18 of the Law of the Shura Council issued by Royal Order O/91 dated 27 Sha’ban 1412 [1 March 1992],
after perusal of Shura Council Decision 117/10 dated 26 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [17 November 2025],
and after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 493 dated 17 Rajab 1447 [6 January 2026],
have decreed as follows
First
The provision of article 8 of the Law of Diplomatic and Special Passports—issued by Royal Decree D/17 dated 22 Rabi Al-Thani 1392 [4 June 1972]—includes workers in missions in international organizations concerned with the fields of education, culture, and science.
Second
His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, the ministers, and the heads of independent concerned agencies—each within their mandates—shall implement this decree of Ours.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
Issued on: 23 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 12 January 2026
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5141 issued on 23 January 2026.
The Minister of Commerce,
based on the powers entrusted to him by law, after perusal of the Law of Chambers of Commerce issued by Royal Decree D/37 dated 22 Rabi Al-Thani 1442 [7 December 2020],
and after perusal of the Regulation of National and Sectoral Committees in the Chambers of Commerce issued by Minister of Commerce Decision 111 dated 19 Jumada Al-Awwal 1445 [3 December 2023],
hereby decides
First
Article 9 of the Regulation of National and Sectoral Committees in the Chambers of Commerce is hereby amended as follows:
The term of the national committees is three years starting from the date of their formation and ending at the end of their term or by a decision by the board of directors of the federation in accordance with article 20(c) of the regulation.
Second
This amendment must be published in the official gazette, and comes into force on the date of its publication.
Minister of Commerce
Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi
Issued on: 21 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 10 January 2026
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5141 issued on 23 January 2026.