Open Records Laws › Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Freedom of Information Regulation

Freedom of Information Regulation, issued under National Data Management and Personal Data Protection Standards by the National Data Management Office (NDMO), Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA)

RTI Rating: 53 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
30 days
Extension
30 days
Residency Required
None

30 calendar days from receipt of request. May be extended for a reasonable period depending on size and nature of information requested (e.g., additional 30 days). Rejection notifications must be sent within 15 days of decision.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • {'notes': 'Through designated government platforms and entity-specific online portals (varies by agency)', 'method': 'online'}
  • {'notes': 'Email to entity-specific data office addresses (e.g., data-office@moh.gov.sa for Ministry of Health)', 'method': 'email'}
  • {'notes': 'Written form submitted directly to relevant public entity', 'method': 'written'}

Requests must use entity-approved "Public Information Request Form" (varies by agency). Must specify how entity should send final decision (national address, email, or website). Should verify information is not already publicly available via Open Data Platform or entity publications.

Required Elements

  • Completed Public Information Request Form (entity-specific template)
  • Identification of specific information or documents required
  • Preferred method for receiving decision (national address, email, or website)

Fees

Filing requests is free. Fees for processing, reproduction, and delivery are determined by each public entity based on the nature and size of data, processing effort, and time required, following the Data Revenue Framework Interim Regulation. No specific amounts are mandated centrally. No free pages threshold specified.

Exemptions

  • National Security
    Information that, if disclosed, could harm the national security, policies, interests, or rights of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Military and Security Information
    Military and security-related records
  • International Relations
    Documents obtained from other states under international agreements and classified as protected
  • Law Enforcement
    Investigations, seizures, inspections, and monitoring operations related to a crime, violation, or threat
  • Pre-Decision Deliberations
    Recommendations, suggestions, or consultations for the issuance of government legislation or decisions not yet issued
  • Commercial Confidentiality
    Commercial, industrial, financial, or economic information where disclosure could be used to illicitly gain profits or prevent costs
  • Intellectual Property
    Scientific or technological research or intellectual property rights
  • Competitive Procurement
    Tender and bidding information that could violate fair competition
  • Other Legal Protections
    Information that is confidential or private under another law or requires specific legal procedures

The regulations list nine categories of protected information. All exemptions appear discretionary rather than mandatory—agencies must 'clearly and explicitly justify' limitations under the Necessity and Proportionality principle. However, a harm test is only required for some exceptions; military/security information and ongoing investigations are excluded from harm testing. Notably, there is NO public interest override provision allowing disclosure when public benefit outweighs the protected interest. The RTI Rating notes that some exemptions are overly broad (e.g., 'national interests' and 'scientific research'). All other secrecy laws take precedence over the FOI regulations. RTI Rating scored Saudi Arabia 9/30 points on Exceptions & Refusals section (30%), indicating significant weaknesses in exemption framework compared to international best practices.

Appeal Process

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Severely weak appeals system (RTI Rating: 4/30). No independent administrative oversight body; appeals go directly to judicial system via Board of Grievances. No internal appeal mechanism. No specified timelines for appeal resolution. Limited to appealing denials only.

Sources & References