How to get a SIM card in Saudi Arabia?

People from all around the world visit Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah. Some of them use the roaming service while others get a local SIM card in Saudi Arabia and start using them. In this article, I have explained how to get a SIM card here.

Buying a SIM card on Hajj/Umrah/Visit visa

Most of the time Hajj and Umrah pilgrims are concerned about where to buy a local SIM card. There are plenty of options available for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to buy a SIM card.

1. You can buy a SIM card at the airport where you have landed. When you reach the public area of the airport after taking your luggage, you will find Zain, Mobily, and STC counters there to buy a Saudi SIM card. They will issue it on your passport.
2. If you don’t want to buy it from there, come to your hotel in Makkah or Madina. You can buy a local SIM card from many counters placed around Masjid al-Haram as well as Masjid al Nabawi. 

Requirements

• Visa Number.
• Original Passport.
• They will scan your fingerprints.

Buying a SIM card with an Iqama

Iqama holders should always buy SIM cards from authorized shops and sales centers only which will take their fingerprints before issuing them a SIM card. The problem is that if you buy a SIM card on your passport from the Airport or any other place, these SIMs are deactivated after a certain period of time.

• Check how many Saudi SIMs are on your Iqama.

The mobile companies issue these SIMs for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and deactivate them after a couple of months. Since you are going to live here for a longer period of time, you should buy a permanent SIM card from an authorized Sales Center.

Requirements

• Iqama Number.
• Absher Account.

Saudi Arabia sim card price

Another question will be coming to your mind now and it is related to the price of a SIM card. The price of the Saudi SIM card ranges from SR 20 to SR 35. Buy the package which suits you the most.

Saudi Arabia SIM cards companies list

There are 6 mobile operators in Saudi Arabia but I would recommend you buy any of the Big 3 operators i.e. Zain, Mobily, and STC. These 3 operators have good coverage in Makkah, Madina as well as other parts of Saudi Arabia. The list of official Saudi SIM Card names is as follows;

1. Lebara KSA
2. Virgin Mobile KSA
3. Zain
4. Bravo
5. STC
6. Mobily