As every Ramadan approaches, people ask: is a royal pardon coming soon? Who does it cover, and when are those covered released? Each season, inaccurate messages about the "pardon terms" and dates spread widely. Here is what is known for certain about the royal pardon, and what a family should do before and after Ramadan 1448, without relying on rumours.
Reviewed by: Raghad Mamdouh Al-KhamshiLegal Affairs Manager at USUS Law FirmLast updated:
Quick answer
A royal pardon is an order from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques pardoning some convicted persons for the public right, or reducing their sentences, under conditions set in each order. No date is announced in advance; it is usually issued on occasions, most famously Ramadan, and only the official announcement counts.
- The private right, such as debts, compensation and diya, is not removed by a pardon.
- Specialised committees identify who is covered; the prisoner usually does not need to apply.
- Do not pay anyone who promises to get your relative included in the pardon.
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What is the royal pardon?
A royal pardon is an order from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques pardoning some convicted persons for the public right, or reducing their sentences, under conditions set in each order. It is issued on occasions, most famously Ramadan, with no fixed date announced in advance. The private right, such as debts and compensation, is not removed by a general pardon. Read the public right and the private right.
What usually recurs in pardon conditions?
| Element | What has been seen in previous pardon orders |
|---|---|
| Type of offence | Certain serious offences are usually excluded, and the covered offences are defined precisely |
| Time served | Serving part of the sentence may be required |
| Conduct | Good conduct while serving the sentence |
| Prior convictions | Repeat offenders may be treated differently |
| Private rights | The person remains liable for others' rights until paid or waived |
Conditions are set in each pardon order separately, and a previous pardon's conditions do not automatically apply to a new one. The official announcement is the reference.
Does the pardon cover drug cases?
It depends on the conditions announced in each pardon and on the type of case: use differs from dealing and smuggling. Details in the royal pardon and drug cases.
What should a family do before Ramadan 1448?
- Get a copy of the judgment, the start date of the sentence and the exact offence.
- Find out what private rights your relative owes (debts, compensation), as they may block release even if the pardon applies.
- If there are debts, learn about the Furijat platform, which allows contributions to pay the debts of insolvent prisoners.
- Encourage your relative's good conduct in prison, a recurring condition.
- Do not pay anyone who promises to "add" your relative to the pardon; the competent authorities compile the lists.
How is the pardon applied after it is issued?
Specialised committees identify the convicted persons covered under the conditions, review their files, and release those who qualify. The convicted person usually does not need to apply, but it helps for a lawyer to follow the file to make sure nothing blocks it. If the pardon does not apply, there are other routes such as conditional release.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a royal pardon coming in 1448?
The pardon date is not announced in advance. It has customarily been issued on occasions such as Ramadan, and only the official announcement counts.
Does the pardon cover someone not yet in prison?
It depends on the wording of each order; some orders concern convicts serving their sentences, and the details are in the announced conditions.
What are the "pardon terms" circulating on social media?
Many are unofficial or old; rely only on what the official authorities announce.
When is a person covered by the pardon released?
After the lists are compiled, the file reviewed and the private rights settled; the time varies from case to case.
Want to know where your relative stands?
The Usus Law Firm team follows the files of convicted persons in criminal cases and drug cases: reviewing the judgment, objections, conditional release and pardon eligibility, in Riyadh and Tabuk.
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 12 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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