Non-Saudis are prohibited from publishing advertisements on social media by the General Commission for Audiovisual Media.
As noted by the commission, posting ads on social media without a license is a violation of Saudi Arabia's Labor Law, as well as the rules regarding expats.
The commission issued the directive in accordance with its responsibilities under the Kingdom's Audiovisual Media Law to regulate advertising violations.
Several non-Saudi advertisers, including expatriates and visitors to social media platforms, were monitored for violations by the commission.
Upon verification of their data, it was found that they had committed legal violations since they did not acquire commercial registrations or licenses and were not affiliated with any commercial entity. Moreover, they do not possess any foreign investment license.
The commission stated that it would issue, in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, a circular directed at commercial establishments directing them not to deal or advertise with non-Saudi advertisers, either residents or visitors, or invite them to events for promoting products, services, and goods.
Advertising for commercial establishments is only permitted for those who work for a commercial entity and have licenses and legal documents that authorize them to advertise on social media platforms.
This is in accordance with the Saudi Arabian laws on audiovisual media, the Electronic Commerce Law, and the relevant laws and regulations, including the Labor Law by Royal Decree No. Article 33 of M/51, dated Shaban 23, 1426, specifies that a non-Saudi may not practice work or engage in it without obtaining a license first.
The rules for dealing with expatriate violators of regulations, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/24) dated 12/5/1434, prohibit the employee from working for his own account, and the Law for Combating Commercial Cover-Up, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/40) dated 1/1/1442, treats non-Saudis who practice an economic activity for their own account as a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment and fines of up to SR5 million.
Commission members and the Ministry of Commerce affirmed that all people and entities must abide by the laws and regulations of Saudi Arabia.
Any violations were to be reported via the media platform https://eservices.gcam.gov.sa or the unified number of the commission (920004242), and commercial violations were to be reported to the unified call center of the Ministry of Commerce at (1900).
