Saudi Arabia: CMA Approves SPAC Framework for Nomu Parallel Market

Saudi Gazette, 3 April 2026: Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority has approved a regulatory framework permitting the offering and listing of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) on the Nomu Parallel Market, expanding investment products and access to private companies.

The Capital Market Authority (CMA) announced that its board had approved a comprehensive framework regulating the registration, offering, and operation of SPACs in the Nomu Parallel Market, through amendments to key regulations, including:

• the Implementing Regulation of the Companies Law for Listed Joint Stock Companies,
• the Rules on the Offer of Securities and Continuing Obligations, and
• the Glossary of Defined Terms used in CMA regulations

The amendments will take effect upon publication.

The CMA stated that the framework is intended to diversify available investment instruments, encourage private‑sector listings, and enhance liquidity and capital formation in Nomu. It also provides investors with regulated access to non‑listed companies that were previously difficult to invest in directly, aligning with the Kingdom’s capital‑market development objectives.

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Saudi Arabia: TGA extends road‑transport compliance deadlines to August

2 April 2026: Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority (TGA) has extended key road‑transport compliance deadlines to August 2026 to allow operators additional time to meet regulatory requirements.

The decision applies to establishments involved in heavy and light freight activities and forms part of regulatory changes which aim at raising compliance levels and enhance operational efficiency across the sector.

The extension will allow companies additional time to complete rectification procedures and align with approved regulatory requirements. These include reclassifying vehicle registrations from private to public transport for heavy‑goods activities and improving fleet utilisation within the authorised regulatory framework.

In parallel, the TGA has also extended the deadline for drivers to obtain a professional driver card, giving drivers more time to complete required documentation and meet regulatory conditions.

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Saudi Arabia: Expired visit visa holders may exit without fines until 18 April 2026

4 April 2026: Expired visit visa holders will be allowed to leave Saudi  without paying overstay fines, provided they exit before 18 April 2026, following temporary relief measures issued by the Ministry of Interior.

Saudi authorities have announced a grace period for visitors whose visit visas expired on or after 25 February 2026, allowing them to depart Saudi without paying fines or penalties if they leave before 18 April 2026. The measure was introduced in response to regional travel disruptions that prevented many visitors from exiting on time.

The relief applies to visit visas, Umrah visas, transit visas, and final exit permits. Affected individuals may either exit Saudi Arabia directly through any international airport or border crossing without extending their visa or paying fees, or apply for a temporary extension through the Absher platform, subject to payment of the applicable government fees.

Saudi authorities have urged all eligible visa holders to act before the 18 April 2026 deadline, warning that standard overstay fines and legal consequences will apply once the grace period expires. The measure is described as temporary and exceptional, aimed at preventing penalties for overstays caused by circumstances beyond travellers’ control.

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Saudi Arabia: ZATCA waives bank guarantees and metal plates for transit carriers

6 April 2026: Saudi Arabia has removed the requirement for bank guarantees and metal transit plates for transit carriers, streamlining customs procedures to support trade flow and logistics efficiency.

Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has announced that transit transport activities may now be carried out without submitting a bank guarantee, as part of a broader effort to simplify customs procedures and increase operational flexibility during the current phase. The measure applies across land, sea, and air ports in the Kingdom and is intended to ensure uninterrupted cargo movement.

In addition, ZATCA confirmed that metal transit plates are no longer required for carriers transporting goods under the domestic transit system between air and sea ports. The removal of this requirement is designed to facilitate faster transfers between ports and reduce procedural burdens on logistics operators.

The changes aim to enhance the efficiency of supply chains, support the smooth flow of trade, and strengthen the resilience of customs services under varying regional and global conditions. The simplified framework should improve logistics flexibility while allowing Zatca to maintain operational oversight through existing electronic and regulatory controls.

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Saudi Arabia: Interior Ministry Bars Sharing of Missile Interception Information

Saudi Gazette, 28 March 2026: Saudi Arabia warned against photographing, publishing, or sharing information relating to missile and drone interceptions, citing legal accountability and national‑security risks.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior issued a formal warning prohibiting the photographing, publication, or circulation of any information related to the interception of hostile missiles and drones, including footage of interception operations or impact locations. The Ministry stated that violations would expose individuals to legal liability under applicable laws governing national security and public order.

The warning was issued amid ongoing aerial defence operations, with authorities stressing that unauthorised dissemination of such information could compromise operational effectiveness and expose sensitive defence capabilities. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the restriction applied to all forms of digital and social‑media sharing and urged the public to cooperate fully with security authorities during the current circumstances.

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Saudi Arabia: SAMA Issues Updated Oversight Framework for Payment Systems

Saudi Arabia’s Central Bank (SAMA) has issued an updated Oversight Framework for Payment Systems and Their Operators, replacing the previous framework and aligning regulatory supervision with the Law of Payments and Payment Services.

The revised framework clarifies the scope of oversight, sets out SAMA’s supervisory methodology—including oversight tools, self‑assessment and formal assessment procedures—and defines the regulatory obligations of payment‑system operators in accordance with applicable laws and international standards.

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Saudi Arabia: Labour‑law violations reclassified into new categories

Saudi Gazette, 25 February 2026: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development issues a ministerial order reorganising labour‑law violations into clearer, activity‑based categories.

Saudi authorities have been reviewing labour‑market regulations to improve clarity and compliance across different sectors. The new order reclassifies several labour‑law violations into defined categories based on the nature of the activity, offering clearer guidance for establishments and workers. These categories cover general violations, mining and quarrying operations, maritime employment contracts, operations and maintenance, human‑resources and recruitment companies, recruitment offices, domestic‑worker regulations, support‑services advertising, unlicensed employment and outsourcing, and rules governing agricultural workers and private shepherds.

The ministry states that the amendments aim to strengthen labour‑market stability, protect workers’ rights and enhance the attractiveness and flexibility of the work environment. The updated schedule takes effect immediately from the date of issuance, aligning with earlier royal‑order amendments and revisions to the executive regulations.

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Saudi Arabia: Government Allowed Exemptions for Contracting with Firms Lacking Regional HQ

Saudi Gazette, 19 February 2026: Saudi Arabia has introduced a formal exemption mechanism permitting government entities to contract with international companies that do not maintain a regional headquarters in the Kingdom.

The decision, announced by the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, aims to balance the Kingdom’s strict “Relocation of Headquarters” policy—effective since early 2024—with the practical needs of major projects requiring specialised technical expertise or strong financial competitiveness. Under the earlier rule, all government bodies, funds, institutions, and affiliated agencies had been prohibited from contracting with foreign companies whose regional headquarters were located outside Saudi Arabia.

The authority confirmed that government entities may now request an exemption for specific projects, groups of projects, or defined periods, provided the request is submitted before issuing a tender or initiating direct contracting. The electronic service for submitting such exemption requests went live on the “Etimad” digital platform in November 2025, offering an official channel for regulated applications. Requests for older tenders or tenders issued outside the platform will continue under the previous mechanism.

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