Practising law in Saudi Arabia as a foreign lawyer

No route for foreign-qualified lawyersLimited home-law practice is possible

Saudi Arabia now licenses foreign law firms through the Ministry of Justice, with the first licences granted in 2023. For an individual lawyer, practising Saudi law in court normally requires a Saudi licence. Check current requirements, as this area is changing quickly.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Rules change. This page describes the kinds of route that exist. The regulator listed under “Official sources” publishes the current requirements, fees and dates, so always confirm with them. This is general information, not legal advice.

The routes

Work through a licensed foreign law firm

For: Foreign law firms, and lawyers who work in them.

A foreign law firm applies to the Ministry of Justice for a licence, using the Najiz judicial services platform.
A licensed firm can set up in the Kingdom, often with a Saudi firm as a partner or associate, and its lawyers practise within the licence terms.

News reports say licences were first granted in March 2023 and that more firms have been licensed since. We did not check the current licence terms.

Practising only your home-country law

Foreign law firms with a licence can offer international law and, according to one licensee's announcement, Saudi law as well. Individual lawyers should ask the Ministry of Justice what licence and nationality conditions apply.

Understand the legal system first

Saudi Arabia belongs to the Religious (Islamic) law is a leading source family. Knowing how its system works makes the admission route easier to follow.

Read the Saudi Arabia legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Compare Saudi Arabia with another country →

Official sources

TheLawToKnow Tools’s Bar Admission guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the regulator’s own information. Report a mistake.