Preparing and Translating Documents by Route
This guide covers the preparation and translation of foreign documents within a defined scope: Ministry of Justice law-practice applications and the published route for hiring a non-Saudi legal adviser. The Ministry of Justice service states that the applicant is generally required to be Saudi, while non-Saudi nationals may practise law in accordance with agreements between Saudi Arabia and other countries; the applicable route and substantive conditions should therefore be checked before preparing the file. No single published rule reviewed here requires every foreign document to be translated. The express wording concerns the non-Arabic workload contracts identified in the non-Saudi-adviser form and route, for which Arabic translation is required. Other qualifications and records may need translation to facilitate review depending on the route and the authority’s instructions, while the original or certified copy should be retained where applicable. Translation remains distinct from certification, equivalency, and presenting an original for verification; it replaces none of them and does not itself grant a licence. For the published electronic licence process, the applicant signs in to Najiz, selects All Electronic Services and Licenses, opens a new application, enters training details, uploads documents, accepts the terms, and submits; the service says an application number is sent by SMS. Recheck the live requirements before filing and seek official clarification from the Ministry of Justice or Najiz if a document or instruction is unclear.
- Workload or service contracts for the non-Saudi-adviser route, with an Arabic translation when they are not in Arabic.
- A law or Sharia qualification certificate, or an equivalent qualification, with a certified copy or the original for verification as required.
- An equivalency certificate for international qualifications.
- A foreign law-practice or professional licence.
- A graduation certificate and relevant academic records.
- Experience certificates or reports and job descriptions.
- An employment contract and employer letter.
- An end-of-service certificate and statement of job services.
- A passport and residence permit (iqama), with originals presented for verification where the route requires it.
- Official letters, appointment or committee letters, and training or programme-completion certificates where relevant to the experience category.
Determine whether the file concerns a Najiz law-practice licence application or the non-Saudi legal-adviser hiring route.
Confirm that non-Saudi practice is permitted under agreements between Saudi Arabia and other countries and that the route-specific conditions are met.
Collect the qualification, experience, professional-status, employment, and residence records required by the route, checking consistency across records.
Obtain Arabic translations of non-Arabic workload contracts in the non-Saudi-adviser route, and prepare translations of other non-Arabic documents when needed for review or required by the route.
Keep each translation paired with its source document, complete certification or equivalency requirements, and retain originals for verification where instructed.
In Najiz, sign in, select All Electronic Services and Licenses, start a new application, enter training details, upload documents, accept the terms, submit, and retain the application number sent by SMS.
| Document type | Common use | Note |
|---|---|---|
Does translating foreign documents give a non-Saudi a law-practice licence?
No. Translation is only part of file preparation where needed; eligibility and licensing remain subject to MOJ requirements, applicable agreements and the competent authority’s decision.
What is the fundamental limitation on non-Saudi practice?
The MOJ service states that non-Saudi nationals may practise law in accordance with agreements between Saudi Arabia and other countries.
Is there a published rule requiring translation of every foreign document?
The reviewed official sources do not establish a universal rule for every document. The express rule concerns non-Arabic workload contracts in the non-Saudi-adviser hiring route.
Which document does the page expressly say must be translated into Arabic?
The non-Arabic workload contracts identified in the non-Saudi-adviser form and route.
Should I translate a foreign qualification certificate?
Prepare an Arabic translation when it is not Arabic to facilitate review, while retaining the original or certified copy. Equivalency or accreditation is separate and is not replaced by translation.
What does MOJ say about international qualifications?
The prerequisites page calls for a certified qualification copy or the original for verification, together with an equivalency certificate for international qualifications.
Can a translation replace certification?
No. MOJ distinguishes certification, presenting the original for verification and equivalency. The applicable document and route requirement must still be met.
Must I retain the original?
Yes, where the instructions require originals for verification; the adviser route refers, for example, to the passport, iqama and work contract.
May a non-Saudi adviser appear before courts?
Not under the published route description; the work is limited to assistance and preparing submissions in the Saudi lawyer’s name, without representing third parties before the specified courts or committees.
Which professional documents does the adviser-hiring route mention?
It mentions copies of the adviser’s licence and graduation certificate, along with the passport, iqama, work contract and other listed records.
Does MOJ require every attachment to be certified?
The Directorate page says all attachments in the adviser route must be certified by their official entities or originals presented for verification. Do not extend that statement to another route without checking.
How do I submit the law-practice licence application electronically?
The service says to sign in to Najiz, select All Electronic Services and Licenses, choose the service, start a new application, enter training details and upload documents, accept the terms and submit.
Does Najiz send an application number?
The service page says the user is notified of the application number by SMS after submission.
What should I do if names or job titles differ across documents?
As a practical safeguard, do not silently correct them. Preserve the source data, flag the discrepancy, and provide a clear translation-to-original cross-reference.
Where should I verify the final requirements?
Check the official MOJ service page and Najiz, and contact MOJ through 1950 or 1950@moj.gov.sa when an official clarification is needed.
This guide is for general information and is not legal or consular advice. Always verify current requirements with the receiving authority.