How to Get a Saudi SIM Card as a New Resident

A Saudi SIM card registered under your Iqama is the first thing you need after arriving in Saudi Arabia. Without it, you cannot receive OTPs for Absher, open a bank account, or access any government service. This guide covers which operator to choose, what to bring, and how to get connected the same day you arrive.

Highlights

★STC (Saudi Telecom Company) has the widest network coverage and is the most reliable choice for new arrivals, especially outside Riyadh and Jeddah.
★A SIM must be registered under your Iqama number to receive Absher OTPs — an unregistered SIM will block you from all government services.
★Airport SIM kiosks are available at all major Saudi airports — you can get connected before leaving the arrivals hall.
★Prepaid SIM cards cost SAR 10–50 for the starter pack. Monthly top-up plans range from SAR 50–200 depending on data and call requirements.
★You can register up to 10 SIM cards across all operators under one Iqama — most expats only need one or two.
★Fibre home internet (STC, Mobily, Zain) is widely available in cities — a separate setup from your mobile SIM, usually SAR 150–300/month.

Quick Answers

Which operator should I choose?STC — widest coverage across Saudi Arabia, including outside major cities. Most expats start with STC. Mobily is strong in cities and sometimes cheaper. Zain is competitive for data-heavy plans.

I just landed — I need a SIM immediately at the airportAll three operators (STC, Mobily, Zain) have kiosks at King Khalid (Riyadh), King Abdulaziz (Jeddah), and King Fahd (Dammam) airports. Open on arrival. You can register with your passport temporarily if your Iqama is not yet issued.

My Iqama has not been issued yetSTC and Mobily allow temporary passport-based registration for new arrivals. The SIM must be re-registered under your Iqama number once it is issued — visit any store with your new Iqama.

What plan should I get?STC prepaid plans start from SAR 50/month (20GB data + unlimited local calls). Postpaid from SAR 100/month with more data and international minutes. For most expats, a SAR 75–100 prepaid plan covers everything.

Can I keep my existing number from home?You can use your home SIM for roaming temporarily, but international roaming in Saudi Arabia is expensive. Get a local SIM within your first week — you will need it for Absher and banking.

Who Is This For?

New arrivals and expats in Saudi Arabia who need a local mobile number — whether you just landed or your Iqama was recently issued.

What You Need Before Starting

✓Your Iqama (or passport if Iqama not yet issued)
✓Your passport
✓Cash or a payment card (SAR 50–200 for starter pack + first month)

Step-by-Step Process

1Decide on an operator before visiting a store — STC is the default recommendation for new arrivals due to nationwide coverage. Mobily is strong in major cities and often runs better data promotions. Zain is a solid alternative with competitive pricing. If you are unsure, go with STC — you can always get a second SIM from another operator later.
2Go to an operator store or authorised outlet — stores are in all major malls, high streets, and dedicated brand shops. If you are at the airport, look for the operator kiosks in the arrivals hall. Airport kiosks are open around the clock and stock all plans. Avoid unofficial resellers — always buy from a branded store or licensed outlet.
3Tell the agent whether you want prepaid or postpaid — prepaid is simpler for new arrivals (no credit check, no monthly commitment). Postpaid offers more data and international minutes but requires your Iqama and sometimes a salary certificate. Most expats start on prepaid and switch to postpaid once they are settled.
4Present your Iqama and passport to the agent — the SIM is registered under your Iqama number in real time. If your Iqama has not yet been issued, ask whether the operator can register temporarily under your passport with your work visa stamp. STC and Mobily offer this for new arrivals — the SIM must be re-registered when your Iqama arrives.
5Choose a plan — for most expats, an SAR 75–100/month prepaid plan includes unlimited local calls and 30–50GB of data. If you are a heavy data user or need international calls, ask about higher-tier plans. Operators frequently run promotions that are not on their websites — ask the agent what the current best value plan is.
6Insert the SIM and activate it — the agent will insert the SIM or guide you to do it. Activation is instant. Confirm you can make a call, receive SMS, and use mobile data before leaving the store. If OTPs do not arrive on the new number, check with the agent that the SIM registration has completed — this occasionally takes up to 30 minutes to propagate.
7If your SIM was registered on your passport temporarily, return to any operator store with your Iqama once it is issued — ask them to update the registration from passport to Iqama. This step is mandatory before you can use the number for Absher account creation and banking OTPs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Buying a SIM from an unofficial reseller — unregistered SIMs cause problems with Absher and cannot be used for government OTPs.
✗Not re-registering your SIM under your Iqama once it is issued — if the SIM stays on passport registration, Absher will not send OTPs to it.
✗Giving your Saudi number to a colleague or using a shared SIM — your Absher account is permanently tied to the mobile number registered to your Iqama. If someone else controls that number, they can receive your government OTPs.
✗Forgetting to top up a prepaid SIM — prepaid SIMs become inactive if not used or topped up. Most operators deactivate a SIM after 90 days of inactivity.
✗Picking a plan based on price alone without checking coverage at your home and workplace — ask the agent to show you their coverage map for your specific area.

Timing & Fees

SIM starter pack: SAR 10–50. Prepaid monthly plans: SAR 50 (basic, 20GB), SAR 75–100 (standard, 30–50GB), SAR 150–200 (heavy data or international calling). Postpaid plans: SAR 100–300/month. SIM registration in store: 10–15 minutes. Airport kiosks are open 24/7.

Practical Tips

💡Get your SIM at the airport on the day you arrive — all major Saudi airports have operator kiosks in arrivals, and having a working number immediately makes your first days significantly easier.
💡Register for Absher as soon as your SIM is active and registered under your Iqama — without Absher, you cannot access most government services.
💡Save your Saudi number as an international number (+966 5X XXX XXXX) — you will need this format when registering for apps and government portals.
💡If you travel abroad frequently, ask your operator about international roaming packages — STC and Mobily offer affordable daily roaming bundles for GCC and major countries.
💡Saudi operators offer eSIM on newer iPhones and Android devices — ask at the store if you prefer not to use a physical SIM card.
💡Keep your SIM packaging and plan documentation — you may need the SIM serial number (ICCID) if there are any registration issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which operator has the best coverage in Saudi Arabia?

STC has the widest coverage, particularly outside major cities. Mobily and Zain are competitive in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam but coverage can be weaker in smaller towns and rural areas. For a new arrival who does not yet know where they will be living and working, STC is the safest default choice.

Can I get a SIM card before my Iqama is issued?

Yes — STC and Mobily allow new arrivals to register a SIM temporarily using a passport with a valid work visa stamp. The SIM must be re-registered under your Iqama number once it is issued. Visit any store with your Iqama to complete the transfer.

How many SIM cards can I have in Saudi Arabia?

Each Iqama holder can register up to 10 SIM cards across all operators. Most people only need one or two — a primary SIM for calls and data, and sometimes a second for a data-only device or a different plan.

What is the difference between prepaid and postpaid?

Prepaid: you pay upfront for a monthly bundle (or top up as needed). No credit check, no commitment, easy to cancel. Postpaid: you receive a bill at the end of each month. Usually offers more data and international minutes, but requires your Iqama and sometimes a salary certificate. Most new arrivals start on prepaid and switch to postpaid once settled.

Why can't I receive Absher OTPs on my new SIM?

The most common reason is that the SIM is not registered under your Iqama. If the SIM was registered on a passport, Absher requires Iqama-linked registration to send OTPs. Visit the operator store with your Iqama and ask them to update the registration. If the SIM is already Iqama-registered but OTPs are not arriving, check you have mobile signal and try requesting the OTP again after 2–3 minutes.

Can I use eSIM in Saudi Arabia?

Yes — all three operators (STC, Mobily, Zain) support eSIM on compatible devices. Ask at any operator store for an eSIM activation. The registration process is the same as a physical SIM — your Iqama is required.