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Saudi Arabia's new General Education Law makes education compulsory from age 6 to 15 and says general education is delivered in person. It was published on 24 July 2026 and takes effect in January 2027.
This guide covers what the law says, what it means for families using an online school, intisab, exams at the British Council, costs, and university equivalency.
Saudi law doesn't recognise homeschooling. The General Education Law of 2026 sets the compulsory years, requires in-person education and licenses virtual schools.
| General Education Law | What it says |
|---|---|
| Article 3 | General education is a right for all, and it's free in government institutions |
| Article 4 | Compulsory education runs from age 6 to 15, and the Ministry of Education takes legal action against anyone who deprives a child of education in those years or causes them to drop out |
| Article 24 | Education is in person at every stage of general education, and the Ministry may use education technology as part of in-person education |
| Articles 1 and 8 | Virtual educational institutions must hold a licence, and a new Council for General Education Affairs sets their regulations |
| Article 68 | The law takes effect 180 days after publication in the Official Gazette and repeals any conflicting provisions |
The law was published in Umm Al-Qura, the Official Gazette, on 24 July 2026, so it takes effect in January 2027. Under the Council of Ministers' decision approving it, existing rules continue until the new Council issues its regulations, within a year of that date.
The compulsory age provision refers to the child and doesn't distinguish by nationality, and the law doesn't set out a homeschooling route.
Once the law takes effect, we know of no route by which a foreign online school, CambriLearn included, meets it for a child aged 6 to 15 living in Saudi Arabia.
Read the law in Umm Al-Qura, in ArabicThese are the compulsory years. The law expects in-person education, and a virtual school needs a Saudi licence. CambriLearn isn't licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Education.
The compulsory years end at 15. Families of older students planning International GCSEs or A Levels from home should still confirm with the Ministry how the new law applies.
Families who want a British or American curriculum in Saudi Arabia usually choose a licensed international school, which the Ministry approves to teach international programmes.
If your child's education needs to move with you between countries, speak to a consultant about where you'll be living, because the rules depend on the country you live in.
The law provides for continuing education, including intisab (affiliated study) programmes run by the Ministry of Education.
Intisab lets a student follow the Saudi curriculum and sit the Ministry's exams without attending classes every day, leading to the Saudi secondary certificate.
The law describes continuing education as serving people during or after the compulsory years. The Ministry sets who qualifies, so check with your local education department first.
CambriLearn doesn't teach the Saudi national curriculum or prepare students for Ministry exams, so intisab is outside what we offer.
