A conference, workshop and trade exhibition may all need different SCEGA services, but they do not carry the same government fee. Before finalising an event budget in Riyadh, Jeddah or elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, organizers should identify the correct event category and separate regulatory charges from venue, production and professional support costs.
SCEGA’s published government fees include SAR 500 for meetings, workshops and training courses; SAR 5,000 for local conferences, seminars and forums; SAR 10,000 for international equivalents; and SAR 10,000 for trade exhibitions. Other categories have different fees. The official schedule was last updated on 30 November 2025; verify the amount for your application before paying.
Official SCEGA Permit Fees by Event Type in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA) publishes a government fee schedule for different licensing services. These are authority fees, not SYNC service prices or the total cost of staging an event.
Use the following as a planning reference. Final classification and payable charges must follow the current SCEGA portal and any instructions shown for your application.
Conference, Meeting and Workshop Fees
| SCEGA service | Published fee | Classification note |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting / workshop / training course | SAR 500 | Check which service applies |
| Local conference / seminar / forum | SAR 5,000 | Local category |
| International conference / seminar / forum | SAR 10,000 | International category |
| Lecture | SAR 1,000 | Separate service category |
| Multaqa (ملتقى) | SAR 15,000 | Confirm the portal classification |
For event-specific preparation documents, see SYNC’s SCEGA permit requirements checklist. A scientific conference, corporate meeting and training session should not be treated as interchangeable merely because each uses a conference venue.
Exhibition License Fees
| Exhibition category | Published fee | Key cost driver |
|---|---|---|
| Trade exhibition | SAR 10,000 | Event category |
| Product introduction exhibition | SAR 5,000 | Qualifying showcase |
| Consumer goods exhibition | SAR 10,000–40,000 | One week to one month |
| Charity exhibition | SAR 0 | Eligibility conditions |
Consumer goods exhibition fees are listed as SAR 10,000 for one week, SAR 20,000 for two, SAR 30,000 for three and SAR 40,000 for one month. For the legal and commercial differences between these formats, read SYNC’s guide to exhibition license categories. The fee is only one factor in selecting the correct license.
Ancillary Service and Modification Fees
• Event Registration / Listing Service: SAR 500
• Event Date Change Fees: SAR 1,000
• Event Venue Change Fees: SAR 1,000
• Event Cancellation Fees: SAR 1,000
Fees are processed digitally through the SCEGA E-Portal
Additional SCEGA Charges and Your Event Budget
SCEGA’s schedule also lists SAR 500 for registration and SAR 1,000 each for certain event cancellation, date-change and venue-change services. Importantly, the schedule separately states that changes or cancellations for meetings, workshops and training courses do not require a fee. Check the exact service before assuming a charge applies.
Government licensing fees should be separated from commercial expenditure: venue hire, exhibition stand production, security, AVL, staffing, registration systems and any agreed consultant or application-support fee. A SAR 500 government fee does not mean the event itself can be delivered for SAR 500.
A simple budget should show three lines: authority charges, event delivery costs and optional professional support. SYNC provides SCEGA application support; it does not issue licenses or determine government fees.
How to Confirm Your SCEGA Permit Fee Before Applying
- Describe the real activity: Is it a meeting, paid public exhibition, trade show, lecture, conference or multi-format programme?
- Check the organizing entity: Eligibility, commercial registration and applicant status may affect the available service.
- Confirm venue and timing: Check that the event description, booking and dates agree with the intended application.
- Use the official portal: Review the live SCEGA e-services platform and the selected service details.
- Budget separately: Document the authority fee and any third-party service quotation as distinct items.
If your application has already been returned with comments, use the application corrections guide rather than assuming a new license fee is immediately payable. International organizers should also review foreign-company permit eligibility before choosing the applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a SCEGA workshop permit?
The published fee for the meetings, workshops and training-courses group is SAR 500. Confirm that your activity qualifies for the selected service.
Is a conference permit SAR 5,000 or SAR 10,000?
The published schedule distinguishes local conferences, seminars and forums at SAR 5,000 from international ones at SAR 10,000. Verify classification through SCEGA.
Does an exhibitor pay the trade exhibition license fee?
The event organizer is generally responsible for the exhibition licensing application. Exhibitor participation charges, booth services and activity-specific permissions are separate questions.
Are SCEGA permit fees the same as event management fees?
No. A government fee is paid for the relevant authority service. Event management, documentation assistance, venue and production costs are separate commercial expenses.
Can a permit change or cancellation incur another fee?
Some amendments and cancellations have published charges, but the schedule specifies no fee for changes or cancellation involving meetings, workshops or training courses. Confirm your service.
Need Help Confirming Your Permit Route?
Share your event type, location and proposed dates. SYNC can discuss the applicable SCEGA service and application preparation, while official fees and approvals remain with the authority.
Regulatory note: Fees above reflect SCEGA’s published schedule last updated 30 November 2025, checked for this October 2026 editorial draft. Fees, eligibility, classifications and procedures can change. Confirm the live government service before applying or making payment. SYNC provides application assistance, not government authorization, and does not guarantee approval.
