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IBAN in Saudi Arabia — What It Is and How to Get Yours

An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is required for almost every financial transaction in Saudi Arabia — receiving your salary, paying rent via SADAD, transferring money abroad, setting up direct debits, and completing government payments. Saudi IBANs are 24 characters long and begin with 'SA'. This guide explains how to find your IBAN, what it is used for, and how to share it correctly.

Highlights

  • ★Saudi IBANs are 24 characters long and always start with 'SA' followed by 2 check digits and a 20-digit Basic Bank Account Number (BBAN).
  • ★Your IBAN is available instantly through your bank's mobile app, internet banking portal, or by visiting a branch or ATM.
  • ★Salary transfers, rent payments via Ejar, remittances, and most government payments require your IBAN — not just your account number.
  • ★Saudi Arabia uses IBAN for all domestic and international bank transfers — the old account number format alone is no longer accepted for transfers.
  • ★Your IBAN never changes unless you close your account and open a new one.
  • ★Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) oversees the Saudi IBAN standard — all licensed banks in the Kingdom issue SAMA-compliant IBANs.

Who Is This For?

Expats and residents who have a Saudi bank account and need to find, share, or use their IBAN for salary transfers, rent payments, remittances, or any other financial transaction.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1Log in to your bank's mobile app (Al Rajhi, SNB, Riyad Bank, Al Ahli, etc.).
  2. 2Navigate to your account details or account summary — the IBAN is displayed prominently on most Saudi banking apps.
  3. 3Alternatively, log in to your bank's internet banking portal and view your account details page.
  4. 4For Al Rajhi Bank: open the app → Accounts → select your account → IBAN is shown on the account details screen.
  5. 5For SNB (formerly NCB / Al Ahli): open the app → Accounts → select account → Account Details → IBAN.
  6. 6For Riyad Bank: open the app → My Accounts → select account → IBAN is shown alongside account number.
  7. 7If you cannot access the app, visit your nearest ATM — most Saudi bank ATMs allow you to print a mini-statement or account details slip that includes your IBAN.
  8. 8You can also visit a branch with your Iqama and ask a teller to print your account details including the IBAN.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ✗Sharing only your account number instead of your IBAN — domestic and international transfers require the full IBAN.
  • ✗Copying the IBAN with spaces or dashes — always share the 24-character string without formatting when filling in forms.
  • ✗Confusing IBAN with SWIFT/BIC code — IBAN identifies your specific account; SWIFT/BIC identifies your bank. International transfers require both.
  • ✗Assuming all Saudi accounts have the same IBAN format — while all start with 'SA' and are 24 digits, each bank's BBAN structure is unique.
  • ✗Not verifying your IBAN before sharing with an employer for salary setup — a single wrong digit will cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong account.

Practical Tips

  • 💡Save your IBAN as a note on your phone or in your email — you will be asked for it repeatedly for salary, rent, and utility registrations.
  • 💡For salary registration: your employer's HR or payroll team will ask for your IBAN to set up direct salary transfer (WPS — Wage Protection System). Provide it accurately on your first day.
  • 💡When sending money abroad, you will also need your bank's SWIFT/BIC code in addition to your IBAN. Each bank's SWIFT code is available on their website and app.
  • 💡IBAN validators are available online — paste your IBAN into one to verify the check digits are correct before sharing.
  • 💡Al Rajhi Bank SWIFT code: RJHISARI. SNB SWIFT code: NCBKSAJE. Riyad Bank: RIBLSARI. Always verify on your bank's official website before using.
  • 💡For Ejar rent payments and SADAD bill payments, you register your IBAN once and payments are deducted automatically — no need to re-enter it each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Saudi IBAN look like?

A Saudi IBAN is always 24 characters: 'SA' + 2 check digits + 20-digit BBAN. Example format: SA03 8000 0000 6080 1016 7519. The spaces are just for readability — the actual number has no spaces.

Can I find my IBAN without the mobile app?

Yes. You can find it at an ATM (print account details), through internet banking, by calling your bank's customer service line, or by visiting a branch with your Iqama.

Is the IBAN the same as the account number?

No. Your account number is typically a shorter number used internally by your bank. The IBAN is the standardised international format that includes country code, check digits, and your account number combined. For transfers in Saudi Arabia, always use the IBAN.

Do I need an IBAN to receive my salary in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Saudi Arabia's Wage Protection System (WPS) requires employers to transfer salaries directly to employees' bank accounts via IBAN. You must provide your IBAN to your employer's payroll department to receive salary transfers.

Can I have multiple IBANs with the same bank?

Yes — if you have multiple accounts (e.g., a current account and a savings account), each account has its own IBAN. Make sure you share the correct one for each purpose.