Yes, your personal data may be transferred outside Saudi Arabia—but only under specific lawful conditions: 

• For performing contractual obligations either with you or agreements involving the Kingdom. 

• To support national interests, operate services/benefits for you, or enable scientific research and administration. 

• Only if the transfer does not undermine Saudi Arabia’s national security or vital interests.

Yes, an exception applies if the transfer is necessary to preserve your life or vital interests, or to prevent, diagnose, or treat disease. Such transfers may proceed even if the recipient country hasn’t been approved by the SDAIA. However, free flow of data must still not threaten national interests.

Controllers must follow a structured process (as outlined by SDAIA and PwC) before transferring data abroad: 

1. Identify and log each cross-border transfer in their Record of Processing Activities (RoPA).  
2. Confirm lawful basis for both processing (under PDPL Articles 5/6/10) and disclosure (under Article 15).  
3. Ensure the transfer serves an allowed purpose (e.g., contractual, national interest, benefit, or research).  
4. Confirm no risk to Saudi national security or vital interests and apply the principle of minimal data transfer.  
5. Check if the destination is on SDAIA’s “adequate” whitelist: 
   a. If yes, minimal risk assessment may be sufficient. 
   b. If no, you must apply one of SDAIA’s approved safeguards: 
        -Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) 
        -Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs) 
        -Certification/accreditation from SDAIA-approved bodies 
6. Conduct a risk assessment when sending sensitive data continuously or were using safeguards, in line with SDAIA’s risk assessment guidelines