The power of attorney is a widely used document in Saudi Arabia. It is granted by natural persons and companies seeking representation in various matters. There are several types of such papers, among which the special power of attorney is quite popular.
Below, our local specialists explain the requirements associated with granting a power of attorney. We also offer representation through this document in a wide array of matters, among which Saudi company formation.
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Definition of a power of attorney under the Saudi legislation
According to local laws, among which Sharia, a Saudi power of attorney is a legally enforceable document that enables the agent or attorney-in-fact to represent another party (the principal or grantor) in various matters.
The Islamic legislation also provides for specific conditions to be met for a power of attorney in Saudi Arabia to be valid. To be more precise, it must:
- have a written form;
- specify the reason it was issued for;
- provide for the powers of the agent;
- be notarized.
There are several types of powers of attorney that can be issued in Saudi Arabia, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Types of Saudi powers of attorney
Here are the main types of powers of attorney that can be granted in Saudi Arabia:
- the general power of attorney that enables the agent to represent the grantor in various activities that require signatures or decision-making procedures;
- the Saudi special power of attorney that enables the attorney-in-fact to represent the grantor in specific matters, limiting the duties of the agent;
- the healthcare power of attorney, which, as its name says, is granted to an agent to make medical decisions on behalf of the grantor.
If you need support in granting a power of attorney, you can rely on us for support, including PRO services related to the creation and notarization of such a document.
The general power of attorney
The general power of attorney in Saudi Arabia can be used in a wide range of matters, among which:
- to handle the procedure of opening a company in Saudi Arabia, which implies: registration, bank account opening, licensing, etc.
- to represent the grantor in financial transactions;
- immigration to Saudi Arabia, specifically in the procedure of filing for a Saudi residence permit or Iqama, or even a work permit;
- to represent the grantor in relation to various authorities.
The special power of attorney in Saudi Arabia
This is one of the most used types of powers of attorney in this country, and it is often granted for representation in:
- selling or buying a Saudi property;
- managing a transaction;
- registering intellectual property.
The special power of attorney in Saudi Arabia is usually granted for a limited period of time. Specifically, its validity ends after the agent has fulfilled the task.
You can rely on our local agents for support in drafting such a power of attorney.
Special aspects to consider about Saudi powers of attorney
The Saudi government is currently undergoing numerous changes, enabling natural persons and company representatives to interact with various authorities through online portals. This is also the case of issuing powers of attorney: they can now be created online. Also, unless recognized by a notary, such a document is not valid.
Here are other important aspects to consider when creating a Saudi power of attorney:
- the digital platform of the Ministry of Justice can be used 24/7 to issue such a document;
- in the case of powers of attorney issued for intellectual property registration, the validity is 5 years;
- Saudi Arabia follows the hijiri calendar, which is 10 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian one, so please keep that in mind when drafting a power of attorney.
Our team is also at the service of other clients. For example, we also offer accounting services in Saudi Arabia.
Contact us for support in creating a general or special power of attorney in Saudi Arabia.