• The following words and phrases - wherever they appear in these regulations - shall have the meanings specified next to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:

  • Regulations: The regulations for coordination between official entities and non-profit associations and institutions.

  • Law: The Law of Associations and Non-Profit Institutions, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/8) dated 19/2/1437 AH.

  • Center: The National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development.

  • Association: The non-profit association referred to in paragraph (1) of Article (3) of the law.

  • Institution: The non-profit institution referred to in paragraph (2) of Article (3) of the law.

  • Official Entities: Any government agency from which permission, a license, or registration is required, or that provides a service or benefit to any of the associations and institutions.

  • Competent Authority: The authority or authorities specified under item (2) of the Council of Ministers Resolution No. (61) dated 18/2/1437 AH, as amended by Council of Ministers Resolution No. (367) dated 29/6/1443 AH, and any amendments thereto.

  • Supervising Authority: The government agency that falls within the jurisdiction of the association or institution's activities.

Without prejudice to the competencies of the center as stated in its regulations, these rules aim to enhance coordination between official entities and non-profit associations and institutions, ensuring that the associations and institutions - licensed in accordance with the law - can interact with official entities without the need to refer to the center.

• 1- Subject to the provisions of the Law, the Regulation, and the Basic Regulation, associations and institutions may take the necessary actions to exercise their licensed activities without the need to refer to the center, including obtaining municipal licenses, commercial registrations, and opening bank accounts, provided that these associations and institutions have a license issued by the center and have acquired their legal personality in accordance with the Law.  

• 2- Without prejudice to the competencies of other relevant authorities, official entities must consider the following:  

  • A- They should not require associations and institutions - licensed in accordance with the Law - to refer to the center or obtain its approval regarding the records and licenses they need to carry out their activities, and their related requests.

  • B- They must notify the center of any violations observed against the associations or institutions, and any actions taken in this regard.

• 1- Licensed associations and institutions shall directly approach the official authorities - each according to its jurisdiction - regarding the issuance of the necessary records and licenses to carry out their activities, in accordance with the specific regulations of each authority.

• 2- Taking into account the competencies of the supervising authority and in accordance with the relevant regulatory provisions, associations and institutions shall submit the following requests through the center:

  • A- Approval for their participation outside the Kingdom, or for contracting or entering into agreements with countries, organizations, or international institutions.

  • B- Approval for organizing events, activities, and programs.

• 3- At the beginning of each Gregorian year, associations and institutions may prepare a list of the annual events, activities, and programs they wish to hold in that year, and provide the center with this list.

• 1- The center, in coordination with the relevant authorities, shall determine and unify the requirements for each of the following:   

  • A- Approval of applications for the establishment of associations and institutions.

  • B- Approval of the participation of associations and institutions outside the Kingdom, and their contracts and agreements with countries, organizations, or international institutions.

• 2- The relevant authority shall review and decide on the applications referred to it by the center for the approvals mentioned in paragraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of this article, and respond within a period not exceeding (15) days.

• 1- The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the regional emirates and the center, shall determine and unify the conditions and requirements necessary to obtain the approvals of the regional emirates for holding events related to the annual activities and programs organized by associations and institutions, and shall establish the necessary mechanisms to obtain those approvals, as well as the mechanisms for canceling or suspending any of them in case of violations.

• 2- The relevant emirate shall review and decide on the claims referred to it from the center for obtaining the approvals mentioned in paragraph (1) of this article, within a period not exceeding (15) days.

• 3- The failure of the relevant emirate to respond to the claims referred to it from the center within the period mentioned in paragraph (2) of this article shall be considered as an implicit approval of those claims.

• 1- Coordination shall take place between the center, the supervising authority, the regions' emirates, and the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority to grant the association or institution a preliminary approval for the list of events - each according to its jurisdiction - as stated in paragraph (3) of Article Four of the regulations, provided that the association or institution completes the necessary licenses and permits in accordance with the relevant laws and instructions.

• 2- The association or institution may amend its annual plan – referred to in paragraph (3) of Article Four of the regulations – and add new programs, provided that the amendment is submitted at least (60) days prior to the date of the program or event.

The General Authority for Awqaf, in accordance with its competencies and in coordination with the center, works to facilitate, encourage, and empower associations and institutions in the field of awqaf and to benefit from their revenues.

The center works in coordination with the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority to establish tax and customs linkage for the services provided to associations and institutions in accordance with the relevant regulations.