How to Transfer Vehicle Ownership in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Guide for Expatriates

Transferring vehicle ownership in Saudi Arabia, especially for expatriates, involves a series of clearly defined steps, ensuring a smooth and efficient process. This guide aims to provide detailed instructions and insights into successfully completing the vehicle ownership transfer through the Absher platform, a digital service provided by the Saudi government.

Understanding the Preliminary Requirements

Before initiating the vehicle ownership transfer process, it is imperative to gather all necessary documents and ensure compliance with specific requirements:

• Vehicle Sequence Number: Each vehicle registered in Saudi Arabia has a unique Vehicle Sequence Number found in the Istimara (vehicle registration document).
• Iqama Number and Date of Birth: These are required for both the buyer and the seller to authenticate identities.
• Active Absher Account: Absher accounts must be active and accessible for both parties involved in the transfer.
• Valid Fahas: The vehicle must have a valid Motor Vehicle Periodic Inspection (Fahas) to confirm its roadworthiness.
• Valid Insurance: The vehicle must be insured, whether through comprehensive or third-party insurance.
• Limitation on Vehicle Ownership: Expatriates are allowed to own a maximum of two vehicles. If you currently own two, you must sell one before acquiring another.
• Saudi National Address: All parties must have a registered national address in the Saudi system.
• IBAN Numbers: Essential for the financial transactions involved in the transfer.
• Vehicle Price Constraints: The vehicle’s price should be within SAR 500 and SAR 200,000.
• Transfer Fee: The total fee for transferring ownership is SAR 380.

Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Vehicle Ownership

Step 1: Payment of Vehicle Ownership Transfer Fee

Begin the process by paying the initial part of the transfer fee, SAR 150, through SADAD payment systems accessible via online banking or ATM:

1. Log into your banking platform.
2. Navigate to “Payments”, select “Government Payments”, then “Motor Vehicle”, and choose “Transfer Ownership”.
3. Input the required details including the current owner’s Iqama number and vehicle sequence number.
4. Complete the payment of SAR 150.

Step 2: Creating a Request to Transfer Vehicle Ownership

The seller must create a transfer request through their Absher account:

1. Log into Absher, and select “Vehicles”, then “Vehicle Ownership Transfer”, and click on “Seller”.
2. Fill in the necessary information including the vehicle price, buyer’s Iqama number, date of birth, and seller’s IBAN.
3. Agree to the terms and conditions to generate the ownership transfer request.
4. The buyer has two hours to respond to this request.

Step 3: Buyer Accepts the Vehicle Ownership Transfer Request

As a buyer, you need to approve the request by:

1. Logging into Absher and navigating to “Services” > “Vehicle Ownership Transfer”.
2. Reviewing the sale details, accepting the request, and entering the necessary bank information for transaction completion.

Step 4: Completing the Payment

Upon acceptance, the buyer must transfer the remaining amount directly to the designated account within 72 hours:

1. Include “Account” as the first name and “Dhamen” as the last name when adding the bank account beneficiary.
2. Ensure the payment is completed within the given timeframe to avoid delays.

Step 5: Delivering the Vehicle

Once the payment is confirmed:

1. The seller receives an SMS from Absher confirming the transaction.
2. Log into Absher to initiate the vehicle delivery process.
3. The buyer must provide a verification code received via SMS to the seller to finalize the transfer.

Step 6: Collecting the Istimara

The new owner can collect the Istimara in two ways:

1. Request the delivery of the Istimara card via post through Absher.
2. Schedule an appointment with the nearest Traffic Department (Muroor) and present your Iqama to collect the Istimara.

By following these steps meticulously, expatriates can ensure a successful vehicle ownership transfer in Saudi Arabia. This streamlined online process not only saves time but also integrates all necessary legal requisites to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.