In short: a “SCEGA permit” is the licence that the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority issues for a business event such as a conference, workshop, training course, meeting or exhibition. The organizer applies on SCEGA’s e-portal before the event. SCEGA decides; companies like bilievent help organizers get the application right.
What is SCEGA?
SCEGA stands for the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority, in Arabic الهيئة العامة للمعارض والمؤتمرات. It was established by Royal Order in December 2018. It regulates and develops the business events sector in the Kingdom, including licensing business events and accrediting the venues that host them.
People search for it in many ways: SCEGA permit, SCEGA license, event permit, تصريح سكيجا, ترخيص فعالية أعمال. In SCEGA’s own wording the event receives a licence (ترخيص) for a specific business event type.
Which events does SCEGA license?
SCEGA lists separate licences for each business event type, and publishes rules and procedures per type or group of types. Choosing the right type matters.
| Event type (English) | SCEGA’s Arabic name | Typical example |
|---|---|---|
| Conference, forum, seminar or gathering | مؤتمر، منتدى، ندوة أو ملتقى | An industry conference with keynotes and panels |
| Workshop | ورشة عمل | A hands-on session for a client’s team or partners |
| Training course | دورة تدريبية | A certified course over several days |
| Meeting | اجتماع | A business meeting or roundtable held at a venue |
| Lecture | محاضرة | A talk by a speaker to an audience |
| Trade exhibition | معرض تجاري | A B2B trade show with exhibitors |
| Product showcase exhibition | معرض تعريفي لمنتج | A brand showing its own products |
| Consumer goods exhibition | معرض سلع استهلاكية | A sales exhibition for consumer goods |
| Charity exhibition | معرض خيري | An exhibition run for a charitable purpose |
Not sure which one your event is? That is the first thing we check. Read more on conference licensing, workshop, training and meeting licensing and exhibition licensing.
Who applies, and where
- The organizer applies. The licence is issued for the event to the organizing entity.
- Online, on the SCEGA e-portal (eportal.scega.gov.sa), through an account for the organizing entity.
- Government entities receive a Government Approval for their events rather than a licence.
- Venues are accredited separately. SCEGA accredits exhibition and conference venues on a separate track; it reported 923 accredited venues across the Kingdom in November 2025.
Is it SCEGA, or another authority?
SCEGA covers business events. Entertainment activities are regulated by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), whose new Entertainment Activities and Supporting Activities Law was approved by the Cabinet in June 2026, and some events touch other bodies too. The National Events Center’s Enjz platform (أنجز) also helps organizers coordinate the permits an event needs across government entities. If your event mixes formats, for example a conference with a concert, the authority question needs checking first. Our guide SCEGA vs GEA: which authority licenses your event? walks through it.
How the licensing process works
- Confirm the event type and authority. Conference, workshop, meeting, exhibition… and whether SCEGA is the right authority at all.
- Work out the timeline. SCEGA sets the submission periods, and they can differ by event type. We confirm the current period for your event and work backwards from your date.
- Prepare the file. Event details, agenda, speakers, venue, organizer documents and anything else the selected licence type asks for.
- Submit on the e-portal. From the organizer’s account, with the right type selected and every attachment in place.
- Follow up. Answer SCEGA’s questions quickly and update the file if something changes.
- Decision. If approved, SCEGA issues the licence for that event.
Important: bilievent is a private company. We are not SCEGA and we are not affiliated with any government body. Licences are issued only by the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority, and no one can guarantee approval. Requirements, fees and timelines are set by SCEGA and can change; we always check them against SCEGA’s current rules for your event.
What we prepare with you
These are the items we usually ask organizers for when we build a file. The exact list depends on the licence type and SCEGA’s current requirements.
- Event name, type, dates and city
- Venue, and whether it is already booked
- Agenda or program, even in draft
- Speakers or trainers, and whether any travel from abroad
- Expected attendance, and whether it is invite-only or public
- Details of the organizing entity (commercial registration and contact person)
- Any previous licence or application number
Our SCEGA permit checklist explains each item and why it matters.
Common reasons a licence is delayed
- Applying too late for the event type’s minimum period.
- The wrong event type, which means rework.
- A venue that isn’t confirmed or isn’t accredited for the event.
- A thin agenda or missing speaker details.
- Dates or format changing after submission without updating the file.
- Slow answers to the authority’s questions.
What bilievent does, and does not do
| We do | We don’t |
|---|---|
| Check the event type and the authority | Issue licences or approvals |
| Plan the timeline backwards from your date | Promise approval or a decision date |
| Prepare the file and documents with you | Submit anything without your approval |
| Submit on the e-portal and follow up | Represent ourselves as SCEGA |
| Coordinate with the venue | Guarantee outcomes set by any authority |
Many organizers also ask us to run the event itself: event management, AVL, booths, and visa assistance for international guests.
SCEGA permit questions
What is a SCEGA permit?
It is the licence the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority issues for a business event, such as a conference, seminar, workshop, training course, meeting, lecture or exhibition. The organizer applies for it on SCEGA’s e-portal before the event.
Who needs a SCEGA permit?
Organizers of business events held in Saudi Arabia. Government entities receive a Government Approval instead. Whether a particular event needs a licence depends on its type and format, which is the first thing we check with you.
How long does it take to get a SCEGA licence?
SCEGA sets minimum submission periods that vary by event type, and review time depends on the file. We do not quote a fixed number of days: we check the current period for your event type and plan backwards from your event date.
How much does a SCEGA licence cost?
Any government fees are set by SCEGA, and we confirm the current fees for your licence type before you apply. Our support fee is quoted separately once we see the event.
Can a foreign company organize an event in Saudi Arabia?
Licences are issued to an organizing entity with an account on the SCEGA e-portal. If you are a foreign company, tell us your setup and we will explain the options that may apply to you.
Do exhibitors at a trade show need their own SCEGA licence?
The exhibition’s licence is held by its organizer, and exhibitors work to the organizer’s exhibitor manual. If you are unsure whether anything else applies to your participation, ask the organizer or send us the details. Building a stand? See booth production.
Is a “SCEGA permit” the same as a GEA permit?
No. SCEGA covers business events; the General Entertainment Authority covers entertainment activities. See which authority licenses your event.
Does submitting your form mean my event is approved?
No. Our form starts a conversation with bilievent. Only SCEGA can issue a licence, after an application on its e-portal.
Sources: Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority (scega.gov.sa) · SCEGA e-portal (eportal.scega.gov.sa) · SCEGA: Rules and Procedures for Organizing Conferences in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia · Saudi Press Agency: Royal Order establishing SCEGA (December 2018) · Saudi Press Agency: SCEGA reports record growth (November 2025) · Saudi Press Agency: Entertainment Activities and Supporting Activities Law approved (June 2026) · Saudi Press Agency: National Events Center launches the Enjz (أنجز) platform · my.gov.sa: SCEGA agency page.
Last reviewed: October 1, 2026