Loading...
Join our Facebook Group: Join: Expats in Saudi Arabia
Loading...
Getting a SIM card in Saudi Arabia requires fingerprint registration and a valid ID, but the process is straightforward. STC has the best coverage, Mobily offers the best value, and Zain runs frequent data promotions. Tourists can buy prepaid SIMs at the airport, while long-term residents benefit from postpaid contracts with better rates.
Largest carrier with the widest 5G and rural coverage
Best value with cheapest prepaid packages
Frequent data promotions and unlimited social media
| Feature | STC | Mobily | Zain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid from | 30 SAR/month | 25 SAR/month | 29 SAR/month |
| Postpaid from | 100 SAR/month | 100 SAR/month | 99 SAR/month |
| City coverage | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Desert/rural | Best | Good | Average |
| 5G | Widest network | Major cities | Major cities |
| eSIM support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| English app | MySTC | Mobily App | Zain App |
| Best for | Overall best, travelers | Budget users | Data-heavy users |
| Provider | Plan | Data | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STC Sawa | Sawa 30 | 2 GB | 30 SAR (~$8) | 30 days |
| STC Sawa | Sawa 75 | 10 GB + social | 75 SAR (~$20) | 30 days |
| Mobily | Prepaid 25 | 1.5 GB | 25 SAR (~$7) | 30 days |
| Mobily | Prepaid 65 | 10 GB | 65 SAR (~$17) | 30 days |
| Zain | Shabab 29 | 2 GB + social | 29 SAR (~$8) | 30 days |
| Zain | Shabab 69 | 10 GB + social | 69 SAR (~$18) | 30 days |
| Provider | Plan | Data | Price | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STC | Mufawtar 100 | 20 GB | 100 SAR (~$27) | 12 months |
| STC | Mufawtar 200 | 100 GB | 200 SAR (~$53) | 12 months |
| Mobily | Postpaid 100 | 20 GB | 100 SAR (~$27) | 12 months |
| Mobily | Postpaid 200 | Unlimited | 200 SAR (~$53) | 12 months |
| Zain | Postpaid 99 | 20 GB | 99 SAR (~$26) | 12 months |
| Zain | Postpaid 199 | Unlimited | 199 SAR (~$53) | 12 months |
*Prices are approximate and may vary. Check carrier websites for the latest plans and promotions. USD conversions based on approximate exchange rates.
STC and Mobily have counters at arrivals in King Khalid (Riyadh), King Abdulaziz (Jeddah), and King Fahd (Dammam) airports. Best option for tourists arriving during working hours.
Official STC, Mobily, and Zain stores are in every shopping mall and commercial district. Staff speak English and can help with plan selection and setup.
Jarir Bookstore, Extra, and other electronics retailers sell SIM cards with full registration capability. You can also find small mobile shops in every neighborhood.
Saudi Arabia limits the number of SIM cards per person. Residents can have up to 10 prepaid SIMs. Tourists are typically limited to 1-2 SIMs. Each SIM is linked to your identity through the CITC system.
Go to an official carrier store, airport counter, or authorized dealer with your passport or Iqama
Provide your fingerprint for biometric verification. This is mandatory for all SIM purchases in Saudi Arabia
Select a prepaid data package or postpaid plan. Staff can recommend based on your stay length and usage
Insert the SIM card (staff will help), restart your phone if needed, and verify data and calls work
Install MySTC, Mobily, or Zain app for easy balance checks, recharges, and plan management in English
Check balance and data remaining
Check balance and data remaining
Check balance and data remaining
Tourists and business travelers. Basic data for maps, messaging, and social media. Consider an eSIM from Airalo for the easiest setup, or get a prepaid SIM at the airport.
Recommended: STC Sawa 30 (30 SAR) or Airalo eSIM ($5)
Business trips and temporary residents need more data and local calls. A prepaid SIM with monthly renewals gives flexibility without a contract.
Recommended: Mobily 65 (65 SAR/month for 10 GB)
Residents and expats get better rates with postpaid plans. Requires Iqama and Saudi bank account. You will probably also want home WiFi. See our internet providers guide.
Recommended: STC Mufawtar 100 (100 SAR/month for 20 GB)
Tip for new expats: Start with a prepaid SIM using your passport when you first arrive. Once you receive your Iqama and open a Saudi bank account, switch to a postpaid plan for better rates and device installment options.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in mobile infrastructure and has one of the fastest 5G networks in the world. All three carriers offer 4G LTE nationwide and 5G in major cities.
The widest network in Saudi Arabia, including rural areas, desert highways, and remote locations. The only reliable option for deep desert travel and off-road adventures. Best 5G coverage in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca, and Medina.
Excellent coverage in all major cities and along inter-city highways. Slightly weaker in remote areas compared to STC. Strong 5G presence in Riyadh and Jeddah. Best choice for budget-conscious urban users.
Good urban coverage with competitive data promotions. Coverage can be patchy in remote desert areas. Popular with younger users for unlimited social media plans and frequent special offers.
Desert travel note: If you plan on driving between cities, camping in the desert, or visiting remote sites like AlUla or the Empty Quarter, STC is the safest choice. Download offline maps before heading to areas with poor coverage.
Yes. Saudi Arabia requires biometric fingerprint verification for all SIM card purchases, including prepaid. This is mandated by CITC (Communications, Space, and Technology Commission). You must visit an official carrier store or authorized dealer in person for the initial registration. Your fingerprint is linked to your passport (tourists) or Iqama (residents).
The SIM card itself is usually free or costs 10-20 SAR. Prepaid data packages start from around 25 SAR (Mobily) for basic data. A typical tourist package with 10 GB of data costs 65-80 SAR per month. Postpaid plans start from around 100 SAR monthly with better data allowances and additional features.
Yes. STC and Mobily have counters at the arrivals area of major airports including King Khalid International (Riyadh), King Abdulaziz International (Jeddah), and King Fahd International (Dammam). Lines can be long during Hajj and Umrah season. Bring your passport and be prepared for fingerprint scanning. If the airport counter is closed, you can find carrier stores in any shopping mall.
STC has the best overall coverage, especially in rural areas and along desert highways. All three carriers (STC, Mobily, Zain) have excellent coverage in major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca, and Medina. For remote desert areas and off-road travel, STC is the most reliable choice. All three offer 5G in major cities.
Yes. Saudi Arabia supports mobile number portability (MNP). You can transfer your number from one carrier to another. The process takes 1-3 business days. Visit the new carrier store with your Iqama or passport, and they will handle the transfer. There is no fee for number porting.
You can recharge through the carrier app (MySTC, Mobily app, Zain app), online on the carrier website, at any convenience store or supermarket (Al Baik, Panda, Tamimi, Carrefour), through bank ATMs, or by purchasing recharge cards from authorized dealers. Most top-up methods accept credit/debit cards and mada payments.
Prepaid SIM cards in Saudi Arabia expire after 90 days of inactivity (no recharges or usage). You will receive SMS warnings before expiration. After expiration, incoming calls work for an additional 30 days, then the number is permanently deactivated. To keep it active, make at least one recharge every 90 days.
Yes, but you need a valid Iqama (residence permit), a Saudi bank account, and proof of employment. Some carriers also require a minimum salary threshold or a deposit (500-1,000 SAR). Tourists cannot get postpaid plans. If you are a new resident, it is easier to start with prepaid and switch to postpaid after you have your Iqama and bank account set up.
Yes, but roaming charges apply. All three carriers offer GCC roaming packages for travel to UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Roaming data packages typically cost 50-100 SAR for a few GB. Without a roaming package, charges can be high. Check with your carrier before traveling and activate a roaming bundle through the app.
Explore our other communication guides for eSIMs, internet providers, and staying connected in Saudi Arabia.