Who must comply
- Every establishment with 20+ workers, across all its branches.
- Licensed housing has to cover the workforce registered on Qiwa.
- Paying a housing allowance doesn't exempt you.
What happens without a licence
- The Balady–Qiwa link flags the gap.
- Qiwa services such as visas and worker transfers stop.
- The commercial registration can be suspended.
The key numbers
- Who must comply
- Every establishment with 20+ workers
- Bedroom area per person
- 4 m² minimum
- Maximum per room
- 10 people
- Sanitary sets
- 1 set (WC, basin, shower) per 8 people or fewer
- Dining / rest area
- 0.7 m² per person
- Licence term
- 1 year, renewable
- Supervision
- A full-time Saudi supervisor
Capacity comes from areas and facilities, not beds. A 24 m² net bedroom takes 6 people, not 10. Try the calculator
Licence vs housing proof certificate
- Group-housing licence
- Held by the owner or whole-building tenant. Proves the property is licensed at a set capacity.
- Housing proof certificate
- Issued by a company renting units inside a licensed property, with the licence holder's approval.
- Part of a building
- A licence can't be issued for part of a building.
Licensing track by city
Licensing steps on Balady
- Sign in with National SSO and choose the group-housing licence service.
- Enter the location, property, deed or lease, and capacity.
- Upload your CR, deed or lease, photos, completion certificate and Civil Defense approval.
- The municipality checks the location rules and gives initial approval.
- You get 90 days to finish the requirements, then inspection and fees.
Sources
- MOMAH: Health, Technical and Safety Conditions Required in Group Housing for Individuals (PDF, Arabic)
- MOMAH: National Program for the Development of Group Housing for Individuals
- MOMAH: Group housing proof certificate service (Arabic)
- Balady: Issuing a Collective Housing License for Individuals
- MODON: Collective Accommodation License Issuance and Renewal Service (via Shareek)
- RCJY (Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu)
A guidance summary, not legal advice. Check the official text before acting.