200. Rules for Opening Accounts for Natural Persons
200.1 Natural Persons Residing in Saudi Arabia
Natural persons are allowed to open accounts and use services provided by banks operating in Saudi Arabia pursuant to conditions regulating such services, as follows:
200.1.1 Saudi Natural Persons
• Male and female citizens:
Male and female citizens may open bank account by presenting their national ID (or family register for minors).
• Saudi natural persons exempted from personal photographs:
No accounts shall be opened by a national ID containing a statement on exempting its holder from providing personal photo, unless SAMA receives from the Ministry of Interior an official letter to this effect and informs the bank thereof.
• Minors:
Bank accounts may be opened for minors as follows:
1. The bank account shall be opened through the guardian, curator, or custodial person.
2. The account shall be in the name of the minor, while it is operated by the guardian, curator or custodial person.
3. The bank shall receive a copy of the custodianship deed issued by the competent court for the curator, or a copy of the guardianship deed where the guardian is not the father, or a copy of the custody deed for the custodial person.*
4. The bank shall obtain and verify the data of the family register to which the customer’s information is added, as well as the national identity information of the guardian, curator or custodial person.
5. When the minor reaches the age of (18) Hijri years and is still incompetent, the bank must receive a copy of the legal deed that proves the minor's condition as well as a copy of the guardianship continuation deed for the guardian or a copy of the custodianship deed for the curator.
6. As an exception of Paragraphs (1) and (2), a minor who has reached the age of (15) Hijri years and has a national ID may open and operate a bank account himself/herself, provided that the bank obtains the consent of the guardian or curator to open the account for the minor. In this case, no checkbook shall be issued until he/she reaches the age of (18) Hijri years.
• Bank accounts of people with disabilities-upper-limb disabled/ people with no upper limbs:
Bank accounts may be opened for upper-limb disabled people and people with no upper limbs, who cannot write or sign, subject to the following conditions and requirements:
1. A copy of the person’s national ID or Iqama must be submitted to the bank.
2. The bank should approve the customer’s seal instead of the personal signature on all documents and bank transactions.
3. Withdrawals from the account shall be made only in the presence of the customer personally at one of the bank's branches. If the customer requests an ATM card, e-banking service, telephone banking service, or/and a checkbook, the bank should provide him/her with these services, upon receiving the customer’s declaration and undertaking carrying his/her own seal and upon submission of a testimony by two of the bank branch’s employees (one of them should be the branch manager or his deputy) stating that the services are granted under the customer’s own responsibility.
4. Procedures should be introduced, if necessary, to the customer by two of the branch’s employees (one of them should be the branch manager or his deputy). Such employees should sign on each transaction, contractual relationship, or deposit or withdrawal document.
• Legally Incompetent Person:
A bank account may be opened for a legally incompetent person by his/her legal representative who shall be the one authorized to sign for and operate such account. The legal representative must present the original documents supporting the authority given to him/her, along with the originals of his/her own personal identification documents as well as those of the legally incompetent person.
• Children with special circumstances:
- These are children born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from unknown parents, illegitimate children, and children deprived of care from parent(s) or relatives due to death, divorce of parents, imprisonment of mother, suffering of mother from mental illness or chronic or contagious physical illness, or any other similar reason that prevents the mother from properly looking after her children. Such children are staying at housing centers of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), such as social nurseries, social education homes, model educational institutions, or charities caring for orphans, or living with substitute families as per a status letter from the MHRSD. Such children are Saudi and are given certificate of birth, in addition to the right to have a national ID when reaching the age of 15 Hijri years.
- A bank account may be opened for such children, upon a letter from the General Manager of Orphan Welfare or the General Manager of Social Affairs at the MHRSD. In addition, a copy of the child’s birth certificate authenticated by the housing center, the MHRSD or the bank (where the original is presented to the bank for verification) must be submitted. Drawing/disbursing funds from such account shall be made possible only by presenting a letter from either the Deputy Minister for Social Development or the Assistant Deputy Minster for Welfare Affairs. If the child is living with a foster family (substitute family sponsoring him/her) and the family requests opening a bank account for the child, an account may be opened in the child’s name after obtaining a letter from the MHRSD issued by the General Manager of Orphan Welfare or the General Manager of Social Affairs in the concerned region in Saudi Arabia. The letter should specify the name of the child and the names of both spouses of the family sponsoring the child. Additionally, certified copies of the child’s birth certificate and the sponsoring family’s identification documents as well as other relevant personal information of such family must be submitted to the bank. Such account shall be operated by the sponsoring family in all drawing and depositing transactions until the child reaches the legal age of 18 Hijri years. When the child reaches the age of (15) Hijri years, his/her national ID shall be accepted if presented instead of the birth certificate.
• Prisoners:
Bank accounts may be opened for prisoners if they approach banks escorted by officers of the General Directorate of Prisons. The bank must obtain from the accompanying officers a letter by the prison management in the city where the prison is located. The letter should be addressed to the bank branch, indicating the prisoner’s name and ID or Iqama number and the desire of the prisoner to open a bank account. The branch shall assign its senior teller, customer service representative or any other higher senior officer to receive the security car outside the premises of the branch, meet the prisoner, complete all regular procedures for opening the account as stipulated in Rule (100), and enable the prisoner to perform transactions and benefit from services offered by the bank. The prisoner shall also be permitted to operate his/her account following the same applicable manner and procedures. For female prisoners who do not present a national ID, the prison management’s letter introducing the female prisoner may be accepted.
• Prisoners’ trust accounts:
Opening of bank accounts for depositing and withdrawing of Prisoners’ Trusts shall be allowed according to the following controls:
1. The account shall be opened by a letter from the General Director of Prisons or his authorized representative. The letter shall be addressed to the bank branch at which the account will be opened, clearly indicating the purpose of opening the account.
2. The name of the account shall be “The General Directorate of Prisons, Prisons of (.....) Region, (name of) Prison-Holding Prisoners’ Trusts”. The same regular procedures for account updating shall be applied to this account.
3. The account shall be operated by a joint signature of at least two persons: the prison warden or his deputy and the officer in charge of the prisoners’ trusts or his deputy. Copies of the authorized signatories’ IDs and specimen signatures shall be obtained.
4. Withdrawal from the account shall be made only by checks signed by the authorized persons, by transfer from the prisoners’ trust account to the prisoner's own account, or to the enforcement court according to a court ruling**.
5. Deposit shall be made in cash through the bank branch or by a check if the trust is a check drawn to the order of the prisoner. Deposit shall be made by the authorized person or the person he/she may authorize. The cash deposit service can be offered by ATMs, if available at the prison department. Cash deposit card can be issued in the name of “(.....) Prison- Prisoners’ Trusts”. The PIN of the deposit card shall be handed to the of the prison warden. ATM cards and credit cards shall not be issued for such account**.
6. The bank may, at its discretion and upon its approval, offer online banking and telephone banking services, based on a formal letter from the entity operating the account, for only checking account balances and inquiring about transactions.
• Bank accounts of heirs:
If the bank receives an official notice of, or becomes aware of, the death of an account holder, it should apply the following measures based on the applicable regulations:
1. The provisions of the supervisory Rule (10.2) should be applied.
2. The name of the account should be changed to "Heirs of , or a new account should be opened under this name.
3. The determination of heirs deed (or an original copy thereof) should be accepted as, and considered, an ID for maintaining the existing account or for opening a new account for the balances.
4. In completing the account information, the ID number is the number of the determination of heirs deed, the date of the ID is the date of such deed, and the place of issue is the court issuing the deed.
5. The person authorized to sign shall be the heirs themselves or their agent(s), collectively or individually. The bank is required to register the personal data of heirs and authorized agent(s) as well as including copies of their respective IDs and the legal power(s) of attorney in the account file.
6. The account shall be valid for one year from the date of determining the authorized persons as per the abovementioned paragraphs. The account shall be annually updated. If the account has had no activity for five years starting from the date of death, the provisions set forth in Rule (5) of the Supervisory Rules and Controls shall be applied.
7. Only checkbooks can be issued for such accounts and not ATM cards or credit cards.
• Receiver:
Opening accounts for a receiver is permitted upon completing the following:
1. Submitting a copy of the court order appointing the receiver and stating his powers.
2. Submitting a copy of the national ID of the receiver.
3. Submitting a copy of the receiver’s license unless appointed by the concerned parties.
4. Submitting a copy of each document pertaining to the subject of dispute under receivership (for which the court order of receivership was issued). Such documents include the determination of heirs deed if the dispute is over an heirloom, or the memorandum of association and its annexes if the dispute is over a company. The document(s) required in other cases should be based on the distinction made in the previous point.
5. The name of the account should indicate its purpose, in addition to including the expression "Under Receivership”.
6. The court order should be used as an ID for opening the account or maintaining its use.
7. In completing the account information, the ID number is the number of the court order, the date of the ID is the order date, and the place of issue is the court issuing the order.
8. The authorized signatory for the account shall be the receiver or as specified by the court order.
9. The account shall be valid for one year from the date of the court order. The account shall be updated annually by the authorized signatory in accordance with Paragraph (8). If the account has had no activity for five years from the date of its opening, the provisions provided for in Rule (5) of the Supervisory Rules and Controls shall be applied.
10. Only checkbooks can be issued for such accounts and not ATM cards or credit cards.
* In accordance with circular No. (44086644), Dated 15/11/1444H, the Saudi Central Bank confirms that all banks must accept conciliation documents issued by the conciliation Center, including proof of custody, in banking transactions that the custodian conclude on behalf of the child. reconciliation documents can be verified electronically through the Taradi platform portal.
** Amended according to the circular No. (12426/67), Dated 25/02/1441H, corresponding to 24/10/2019G.
200.1.2 GCC Natural Persons
The bank may open accounts for GCC natural persons, after obtaining a copy of the customer’s national ID, his/her address in Saudi Arabia (proved by a service invoice, residential lease agreement, real estate ownership deed-or an original copy thereof, or a testimony by a Saudi person stating that the customer resides in the mentioned address), and his/her address in his/her home country. A GCC natural person is allowed to authorize a Saudi person or a another GCC citizen to open and operate his/her bank accounts.
200.1.3 Expatriates in Saudi Arabia
This rule has been amended according to the circular No.(42078428), Dated 10/11/1442H, corresponding to 19/06/2021G.• Expatriate holding residence permit (Iqama):
The bank may open bank accounts for expatriates holding residence permits (Iqama) after obtaining a copy of Iqama. Such Iqamas might be issued by the Passport Department against the applicable fees or free of charge, such as Iqamas issued to students of universities, students of military colleges, and students of institutes, who obtained scholarships or training approvals, or might be issued by the Protocol Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the like. In addition, the bank should obtain the expatriate’s address in Saudi Arabia as well as his/her address in his/her mother country.
• Expatriate dependents (whose Iqamas include a statement indicating that they are dependents and are “not authorized to work”):
The bank may open bank accounts for expatriate dependents whose Iqamas indicate that they are dependents and not authorized to work in Saudi Arabia. The bank shall comply with instructions related to expatriates’ bank accounts. If the bank suspects that the bank account is being used for illegal purposes or it finds out that the deposited funds are from the work of those dependents and not from their families, then the bank must inform the Saudi Arabia Financial Investigation Unit (SAFIU).
- If the expatriate whose Iqama indicates that he/she is a dependent and not authorized to work in Saudi Arabia is a son/daughter of a Saudi mother but a Non-Saudi father, then he/she is allowed to open a salary account, provided that he/she submits official documents proving that his/her mother is Saudi. The requirements mentioned above shall also be fulfilled.
- If the expatriate whose Iqama indicates that he/she is a dependent and not authorized to work in Saudi Arabia works for a licensed educational institution and wishes to open a salary account, then the bank account might be opened for him/her upon satisfying the following requirements:
1. Submitting a copy of Iqama.
2. Completing an account opening form by the customer for the purpose of receiving salary from the contracting institution.
3. Providing a written undertaking by the customer to notify the bank upon the expiration or termination of his/her contract.
4. Submitting a letter of employment from the general management of the educational institution contracting with the account applicant. Such letter should provide basic information about the expatriate and his/her salary and bonuses and should also state that he/she is currently employed by the educational institution by an “Ajeer” notice (work permit). Moreover, the letter should indicate that it is provided for the purpose of opening a salary account. Further, the following documents should be attached to the letter:
a. A copy of the valid Ajeer notice issued in the expatriate’s name and verified by the contracting institution.
b. A copy of the contracting institution’s license as issued by the supervising body.
c. A copy of the validity certificate issued in the expatriate’s name by the supervising body and verified by the contracting institution.
d. An undertaking to notify the bank upon expiration or termination of the account holder’s contract.
5. The bank account shall be valid for a period identical to the validity period of the account holder’s Iqama or Ajeer notice, whichever expires first.
6. The approval of compliance department for opening the bank account shall be obtained.
- If the expatriate whose Iqama indicates that he/she is a dependent and not authorized to work in Saudi Arabia is a minor (under the age of 15 years), then his/her account shall be operated by the main, sponsoring expatriate residing in Saudi Arabia. However, if the main expatriate is a woman and her husband is her escort, the minor’s account in this case shall be operated by his/her father since he is the legal guardian. If the minor reaches the age of 15 Hijri years, receives an independent Iqama, and applies directly for opening a bank account, the bank shall seek the approval of the guardian or curator for opening the account. In this case, no checkbook shall be issued until the minor reaches the age of 18 years.
- This type of bank accounts shall be classified as a high-risk account.
• Expatriate with a temporary (90-day) work visa in his/her passport:
Bank account may be opened for expatriates whose employers are individuals, institutions, official entities, or companies in order to transfer or deposit their salaries and financial entitlements during the temporary residence period in accordance with the following:
1. The account is to be opened for the expatriate employee upon receiving an official request from the employer. Such request shall state that the holder(s) of the account(s) works/work for the employer and that no Iqama was issued for the expatriate due to not completing 90 days from the date of arrival in Saudi Arabia. The request shall also specify the occupation and task of the expatriate, why the account is needed, sources of money to be deposited in the account, and his/her salary. The bank shall check the original passport(s) including work visa.
2. The employer shall undertake to notify the bank once the account holder leaves Saudi Arabia (on a final exit visa) during this period (the first three months of arrival in Saudi Arabia). Once notified, the bank must immediately freeze the account and contact the customer to submit to him/her the balance left and close the account. If the communication is not possible, the account freeze should continue and after the elapse of 90 days starting from the end of the 3-month period (the first three months from the date of expatriate’s arrival) or starting from the date of the account freeze due to the expatriate’s final exit, the account shall be dealt with according to the requirements of Rule (3) on Freezing of Bank Accounts.
3. The bank must meet the expatriate (account holder) in person and obtain his/her signature on an account opening agreement. The bank must also obtain documents and data needed to open the account (except Iqama). The customer shall sign an undertaking to submit his/her Iqama once issued (during the three legal months). The bank may also request the customer to agree on any other requirements the bank deems appropriate in relation to balance, transfer, and/or account closing. Additionally, the bank should inform the customer that his/her account will be frozen if his/her Iqama is not submitted during the first three months of arrival in Saudi Arabia.
4. Approval of the manager of compliance department at the bank shall be sought.
5. This type of bank accounts shall be classified as of high risk.
6. The bank account shall be valid for a period identical to the validity period of the visa. Only issuing an ATM card and performing transfer transactions are permitted for the account. No checkbooks, credit cards and/or any other services shall be issued or provided for this account during this period.
7. Operating the account after three months from the expatriate’s (account holder) arrival in Saudi Arabia is not allowed unless the bank meets the account holder and verifies his/her Iqama. After meeting the customer and verifying his/her Iqama, his/her account will have the same procedures implemented on other bank accounts.
• Expatriates with a visit visa to carry out certain assignments for entities in Saudi Arabia:
A bank account may be opened in Saudi riyal for an expatriate holding a government visit visa to carry out certain assignments for a government or quasi-government entity or for any other juristic entity contracting with a government or quasi-government entity in Saudi Arabia, for an expatriate holding a business visit visa (provided for employees of companies and institutions), or for an expatriate holding scientific or professional visit visa and the like after fulfilling the following requirements:
1. A copy of the valid passport including the visit visa should be submitted.
2. A letter from the inviting entity (endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce if it is a business visit visa) should be submitted. The letter should clarify the mission of the individual, the reasons for not issuing a residence permit for him/her, why the account is needed and its validity period, and sources and amounts of money to be deposited therein.
3. The account shall be valid for a period identical to the validity period of the visa. If the visa is for a single entry, the account shall be immediately closed once the visa expires. If the visa is for multiple entries, the account validity shall be for (6) months from the date of entry to Saudi Arabia and should be renewed for the same period or less, taking into consideration the validity of the visa. The bank must obtain a written undertaking from the inviting entity to inform the bank when the expatriate leaves Saudi Arabia permanently in order to close the account.
4. It is permitted to provide the expatriate with an ATM card that only operates on the Saudi Payment Network (MADA). However, no checkbook shall be provided for this account.
5. This type of accounts shall be classified as of high risk and shall be subject to the supervision of compliance officers.
6. Approval of the manager of compliance department for opening the account shall be sought.
7. If the expatriate leaves Saudi Arabia permanently and then comes back with a new visa to carry out any of the assignments mentioned above for the same entity or for any other entity, the bank shall apply all the requirements set forth in the paragraphs above. The old account shall be treated according to Rule (3.2) on General Instructions for Freezing of Bank Accounts stated in Chapter II on Supervisory Rules and Controls, taking into account the account balance.
• Foreign pilgrims:
A foreign natural person having a Hajj identification card issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, pilgrim guiding institutions, or others, permitting him/her to perform Hajj, is not allowed to open bank accounts.
• Transfer via bank account or transfer membership:
After the elapse of the first three months of the expatriate’s arrival in Saudi Arabia or after he/she obtains an Iqama during that period, all banks are prohibited from carrying out any transfers, issuing any checks or exchanging any currencies for the expatriate, except through a bank account opened in his/her name. Customer number is sufficient in the Express Transfers System as a substitute for bank account for customers of this service only, provided that the bank obtains the personal data and Iqama of customers. In addition, customer number should be based on Iqama number. Moreover, the Transfers System should be subject to regulatory procedures for accounts, such as freezing, verification of the ID validity, checking customer’s name against his/her passport for expatriates holding non-magnetic Iqama, limits placed on concerned customers, etc.
• Transfer limit during the 3-month work visa:
The maximum amount of a transfer or a check which banks may effect for an expatriate during the first three months of his/her arrival in Saudi Arabia for work and before obtaining an Iqama and opening an account in his/her name shall be ten thousand Saudi riyals (SAR 10,000). This limit is applicable to professionals, such as physicians, engineers and senior administrative officers whose salaries are commensurate with such limit or are above. For individuals in normal jobs or workers, the maximum limit of each transfer should be commensurate with the type of profession specified in the work visa placed in the passport. The bank shall use the passport number as a reference for the transactions executed during such period.
• Expatriates exempted from working for their sponsors:
An expatriate having a valid Iqama including a statement to the effect that its holder is exempted from working for his/her sponsor may open a bank account by providing his/her Iqama and an employment letter from the person or entity for which he/she works.
• Expatriates working in Saudi Arabia without Iqama:
No bank account may be opened for an expatriate working under (monthly or annual) employment contract for any entity in Saudi Arabia without a valid Iqama. In this case, an explicit approval from the Ministry of Interior must be obtained for each case and should then be communicated to the bank through SAMA along with any applicable procedures.
• Valid Iqama holders without passport:
Bank accounts may be opened and maintained for expatriates having valid Iqama including the word “without” next to the “nationality”, by providing their Iqama only. No passport, copy or number thereof, shall be required.
• Expatriates having Saudi passports
No bank account may be opened by presenting a Saudi passport issued to some expatriate individuals. Such an expatriate must present a valid Iqama, and the validity of his/her Saudi passport shall not be required. However, where the expatriate has no identification document except his/her Saudi passport, the approval of SAMA shall be obtained for opening the account. Such approval shall include a reference to the approval of the Ministry of Interior. Once the account is opened, SAMA shall be provided with the number of the account and address of the expatriate. The bank shall classify this type of accounts as of high risk to be subject to continuous monitoring.
• Authorization by expatriate to others, or opening joint accounts by expatriate:
An expatriate may neither authorize another person to open a bank account in his/her name, nor may he/she open a joint account with others, except in the following cases:
- The expatriate husband and his expatriate wife and vice versa, and their first-degree expatriate relatives.
- The female expatriate working in Saudi Arabia and her legal escort, provided that the Iqama of the legal escort or any other official document states that he is the legal escort of the female expatriate.
- The female expatriate and her Saudi husband.
- The female expatriate and her Saudi father, mother, son or daughter.
- The male expatriate and his Saudi wife.
- The male expatriate and his Saudi father, mother, son or daughter.
The male or female expatriate and his/her abovementioned relatives should hold valid Iqamas. The bank should record the number of Iqama for each male or female expatriate as an electronic reference number for the expatriate.
• Standing instructions on the account of an expatriate*:
Expatriates may set up and renew standing orders for one year only through e-banking services. The personal information of the client shall be verified using documents, data or information acquired from a reliable and independent source. Such information shall be documented as well. Expatriates may set up standing orders to make regular domestic or international money transfers. The standing order payment shall be made once a month only and the amount shall be determined by the bank according to the client’s risk assessment.
* This paragraph has been amended according to the circular No.(42078428), Dated 10/11/1442H, corresponding to 19/06/2021G.
200.1.4 Tribe Members: Displaced Tribes/Ar Rub' Al-Khali Tribes
The bank may open accounts for those tribal individuals residing in Saudi Arabia, and the validity of their accounts should be linked to the validity of their Iqamas. The bank must obtain the individual’s Iqama which has a statement in the “nationality” space that reads “tribe members”, “displaced tribes”, or “Ar Rub’ al-khali tribes”. The supervisory and control requirements implemented on expatriates residing in Saudi Arabia, stated herein, shall apply to this category of customers.
200.1.5 The Beluchis and Turkistanians
Bank accounts may be opened for Beluchis and Turkistanians by presenting a valid Iqama. The bank should not require such customers to present the original passport or a copy thereof. Before opening a new account, updating an existing one or effecting any other banking transactions, the bank shall require the customer to identify his/her address in Saudi Arabia and submit an employment letter. Such letter should be authenticated by the Chamber of Commerce or the official organization the customer is employed under its supervision. If the customer does not work and his/her Iqama has no employer mentioned, he/she shall be required to present a letter from the mayor of the area (district, governorate or town) where he/she lives, duly authenticated by the police station of the area of such mayor. In addition, the addresses mentioned in such letter should be clear enough to allow easy access to him/her when necessary. Such requirements shall be updated annually.
200.1.6 Expatriate Stewards and Stewardesses of the National Airlines, Expatriate Ship Crews and the Like
Bank accounts may be opened for expatriate stewards and stewardesses of the national airlines, expatriate ship crews and the like by presenting a valid visa included in the passport. The visa should be checked against the identification card provided to such individuals by their employers. The bank account validity shall be identical to the validity period of visa or renewal period thereof.
200.1.7 Bank Accounts for Employees of Enterprises Wishing to Pay Employee Salaries Through Prepaid Electronic Records
The bank may allow its customers to pay the salaries of their employees through prepaid electronic records. In doing so, the bank must comply with the provisions of the Regulatory Rules for the Prepaid Payment Services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
200.1.8 Credit Cards for Non-Resident Foreigners Employed by Resident Saudi Companies
The bank may issue credit cards to a selected, limited category of non-resident foreigners employed by a limited category of major Saudi companies having relationship with the bank. Such employees should have jobs that necessitate moving from a place or country to another (such as private airline pilots, stewards and stewardesses), and they do not have residence cards for any country where they go, including Saudi Arabia. The Saudi company hiring such employees is responsible for covering their local and international transportation expenses by credit cards. In this case, the bank shall observe the following conditions when issuing such credit cards for those employees:
1. The credit cards shall be issued through the resident Saudi company for which such employees work.
2. The Saudi company shall have good creditworthiness and a sound financial position.
3. All individuals, for whom credit cards or debit cards are required to be issued, shall be employed by the Saudi company, and documents proving such shall be obtained.
4. The Saudi company shall ensure in writing that the said cards will be properly used and that the company will bear all implications of use thereof by its employees.
5. The Saudi company, rather than the employees to whom the cards are delivered, shall pay all due payments related to the cards.
6. The maximum credit limit per card shall not exceed the limit allowed to other customers, corresponding to card category.
7. Dealing under this system shall be based on a formal agreement entered into between the bank and the company prior to the issuance of such cards.
8. The company shall provide the bank with the agreement, signed by the company and its employees, that determines the responsibility related to the issuance and use of such cards.
200.1.9 Opening Bank Accounts to Raise Blood Money to Be Paid for Reconciliation in Murder Cases
The bank must comply with the following when opening and operating such bank accounts:
I. Any activity aimed at raising funds for reconciliation shall not be undertaken without the consent of the Minister of Interior, after reporting of such activity by the emirate of the concerned region.
II. If the approval of the Minister of Interior is issued, the emirate of the region shall communicate with SAMA and request opening of a bank account at a specified bank to raise blood money. The following requirements shall be satisfied:
1. Approval of the Ministry of Interior for opening the bank account shall be obtained. The approval should indicate the period of the account validity.
2. A copy (or an original copy) of the legal deed indicating that the victim’s heirs waive the right of legal retribution (Qisas) and agree to receive the required amount of monetary compensation (Diyah), shall be submitted. Such legal deed shall indicate the time agreed upon to submit such compensation.
3. The bank account to raise blood money shall be subject to the supervision of the emirate of the concerned region, and no party of the case shall have any rights thereon, whatsoever.
4. The emirate of the concerned region shall specify the names of persons authorized to manage the account (supervision of the account and following-up of deposits); copies of their IDs, specimen signatures (joint signature) and contact details shall also be included.
5. The bank shall not issue checkbooks or ATM cards for the account. Further, no transfers from the account shall be allowed.
6. The name of the account shall be as follows (the Emirate of... Region, Diyah Money Raising for... (the full name of the murdered shall be written)”.
7. The bank shall stop the account automatically once the required amount of blood money is reached, and the account shall not accept any extra money.
8. The account shall be valid for one year, as a maximum, starting from the date of opening the account. After one year, it shall be deactivated. The account may continue to operate for another year by a letter from SAMA upon the request of the emirate of the concerned region.
9. If the amount of blood money is completely raised, the emirate of the concerned region should request a bank check and hand it to the beneficiary through the court.
10. If the victim’s heirs reduce the amount agreed upon in the original legal waiving deed, this reduction shall be recorded in a similar legal deed or expressly added to the original legal waiving deed that includes the previously agreed-upon amount.
11. If the amount of blood money is not completely raised and the victim’s heirs are not satisfied therewith, or if the victim’s heirs waive the amount, the funds raised shall be returned to their depositors whose names are known through deposit slips. As for anonymous deposits, the emirate of the concerned region shall present the case to the Mufti to give a formal legal opinion (Fatwa) regarding how to handle such funds. (The bank shall satisfy this requirement upon receiving the direction of the emirate of the concerned region, which is delivered to the bank by authorized individuals.)
12. Only one bank account shall be opened for each case involving raising blood money (Diyah). In addition, opening more accounts in other banks for the same case is not allowed.
13. The account shall be closed once the amount of the blood money is completely raised. Then a bank check of the amount shall be issued.
14. This rule also applies to bank accounts dedicated to raising funds to be paid as compensation in injury cases.
200.2 Natural Persons Outside Saudi Arabia
200.2.1 Saudi Citizens Residing Outside Saudi Arabia
Saudi citizens residing outside Saudi Arabia for study, medical treatment or official work (such as in embassies, consulates, or multilateral organizations) may open bank accounts upon the following:
1. Providing a copy of the passport.
2. Providing a copy of the national ID.
3. Submitting a specimen signature.
4. Completing the account opening form or authorizing a Saudi citizen to open the bank account.
5. Obtaining verification of such documents from the Saudi embassy or consulate in the foreign country.
- Saudi individuals residing in a GCC country may provide such data via the correspondent GCC bank for the bank operating in Saudi Arabia.
200.2.2 GCC Nationals Not Residing in Saudi Arabia
Bank accounts may be opened for GCC nationals who are not residing in Saudi Arabia, directly by themselves or by a Saudi or GCC citizen authorized by a power of attorney. The bank should obtain the following documents from such individuals:
1. A copy of the valid national ID.
2. A copy of the valid passport (if any).
3. An employment letter from the entity for which he/she works, or from his/her personal business.
4. A completed account opening form.
5. A specimen signature.
- Such documents shall be obtained by the employees of the local bank directly or by the correspondent GCC bank in the GCC country where such individual resides. The GCC bank shall authenticate all documents obtained, and all deposit, withdrawal and transfer transactions shall be effected through the correspondent bank. Receiving such documents and effecting deposit, withdrawal and transfer transactions are also possible through a correspondent bank in the GCC country where the GCC citizen resides. No cash deposits by third party shall be accepted.
- No checkbook, ATM card or credit card may be given to such individual unless he/she comes to Saudi Arabia and presents to the bank adequate data proving his/her residence in Saudi Arabia. In this case, Rule (200.1.2) shall be applied to such customer, and his/her account status shall be changed.
200.2.3 Non-Saudi and Non-GCC Natural Persons Not Residing in Saudi Arabia
The bank shall not open an account in Saudi riyal or in any foreign currencies, or any other account, for non-Saudi and non-GCC natural persons not residing in Saudi Arabia unless written approval from the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is received through SAMA. If so, the account may be opened by the passport of the individual.