Best Prepaid eSIMs for Expats in Saudi Arabia — 2025 Guide

At a glance: If you’ve just landed without an Iqama, start with a Visitor SIM from STC, Mobily, or Zain at the airport or a city store. When your Iqama is issued, switch to a resident prepaid line or update ownership and consider eSIM activation straight from the operator app (mystc, Mobily, Yaqoot). The regulator’s Argami service helps you see which numbers are registered to your ID; number portability (MNP) lets you keep your Saudi number when switching providers.

Quick Summary

• No Iqama yet (Visitor): Use STC Sawa Visitor, Mobily Visitor, or Zain Visitor—available at RUH/JED and city stores; bundles change often, so check the official pages before buying.

• Resident flows (eSIM): Activate in‑app with Nafath—STC mystc and Mobily eSIM document the steps; Yaqoot (Zain) highlights Nafath verification in its digital activation.

• Keep your number: Saudi MNP lets you switch operators and keep your number (recipient‑led flow).

• Audit your lines: Use Argami to see all numbers linked to your ID and close any you don’t recognize.

• Airport counters exist: Riyadh (KKIA/RUH) lists STC, Mobily, Zain service points on the official airport site

Who this guide is for

• New arrivals without Iqama: You need fast connectivity for ride‑hailing, maps, and messaging—Visitor bundles are your starting point.

• Residents (Iqama in hand): You can activate prepaid eSIM in an app with Nafath and manage everything digitally.

• Switchers: If coverage or value isn’t working out, port your number to another operator.

Visitor (no Iqama) vs Resident prepaid: key differences

References: STC/Mobily/Zain Visitor pages; STC & Mobily eSIM how‑to; Yaqoot digital onboarding with Nafath. citeturn0search1turn0search2turn0search3turn3search0turn3search1turn3search2

Operator quick profiles (Visitor & eSIM links)

Use these official hubs for the current bundles; prices and allowances change regularly.

• STC — Sawa Visitor (visitor packages) and eSIM activation via mystc.

• Mobily — Visitor hub and eSIM activation page.

• Zain — Visitor packages (examples include Visitor 50/85/120/160; campaigns and countries/bundles change).

• Yaqoot (Zain digital) — app‑first onboarding and Nafath verification for SIM activation.

• Virgin/FRiENDi — prepaid via app/store; check the current campaign page when you buy. (Operator sites change often; verify in app or at store.)

Airport pointers: KKIA/RUH lists STC, Mobily, Zain service points on terminal pages, helpful if you want to buy at the airport.

Airport vs city vs app when buying

Choosing criteria: coverage, validity, international minutes, social buckets

Coverage & performance: Pick based on where you live/work/commute. If unsure, start monthly on prepaid and test signal at home/office. (Avoid third‑party claims, always try it yourself.)

Validity windows: Some SIM/balance validity is tied to paid activity; STC publishes examples in terms/recharge pages (e.g., balance validity 90 days; SIM validity extension to 180 days upon paid activity). Other operators have similar mechanics, always read your plan page.

International minutes & roaming: Check whether your bundle includes international minutes or roaming add‑ons; add only what you need (visitor packs often include small international buckets).

Social buckets: Some plans split general data and “social” app data—clarify which apps are included and any fair‑use caps (see operator plan pages). Portability later: If coverage/value disappoints, port your number to another operator.

eSIM activation (resident) — official flows

• STC mystc → eSIM: Generate QR and install under phone settings (iOS/Android).

• Mobily app → eSIM: Store → Activate New eSIM → New Line → Package → eSIM → pay → QR (also available on website).

• Yaqoot (Zain digital): Scan SIM barcode, verify via Nafath, activate in app.

Tip: If the app throws a Nafath error, retry on stable Wi‑Fi or complete activation in‑store with fingerprint. (This is common when an ID is very new.)

Top‑ups, validity & number management

• Top‑ups: Recharge in the operator app or with vouchers in stores/malls. mystc/Mobily/Yaqoot support in‑app renewal and add‑ons.

• Validity: STC terms indicate balance validity for 90 days and that paid activity extends SIM validity (e.g., up to 180 days). Always confirm the exact rules on your plan page on the day of purchase.

• Argami audit: Use CST Argami (or its listing on the National Platform) to see all numbers registered to your ID and close any you don’t recognize.

Video calls & messaging: what to expect

• Device/network features: VoLTE/VoWiFi device support is listed on operator pages; for app‑to‑app calls (e.g., video/messaging), quality depends on network, device, and the app itself. Always test on your route/home Wi‑Fi vs mobile.

• Practical approach: If video quality is critical, test for a week on prepaid before committing; keep a backup Wi‑Fi route for work calls.

Saudi number portability (MNP): keep your number

• What it is: Regulated by CST; a central system streamlines porting between providers.

• How to use it: Start with the new operator (e.g., port‑in to STC via the port‑in page); complete ID/OTP prompts. Keep both SIMs until the new one works.

• Troubleshooting: ID mismatches are common after status changes (visitor → resident). Resolve in store with ID and fingerprint.

Sample configurations by use case

• Short‑stay visitor (7–14 days): Buy at airport, choose a Visitor plan with sufficient data + local minutes. Screenshot bundle expiry.

• New employee (first month, waiting for Iqama): Start with Visitor; when Iqama arrives, open a resident prepaid eSIM in app with Nafath and port later if needed.

• Cross‑border commuter (Eastern Province ↔ Bahrain): Choose a plan with cheap roaming add‑ons (check in‑app); test coverage on your commute before porting.

In a city store (ownership update):

“This number was opened with my passport. I now have my Iqama. Please link the SIM to my ID/fingerprint or advise if I should start a new resident line.”

Port‑in to a new operator:

“I want to keep my number and move to your prepaid plan. Here is my ID; I will keep my old SIM active until the port completes.” citeturn2search3

Arabic (ownership update):

«تم فتح الرقم بجواز سفري. الآن لديّ إقامة. أرجو ربط الشريحة برقم الإقامة وبصمتي أو إبلاغي إذا كان الأفضل فتح خطّ للمقيمين.»

Arabic (port‑in):

«أرغب في نقل رقمي إلى شركتكم مع الاحتفاظ بنفس الرقم. سأبقي الشريحة القديمة مفعّلة حتى يكتمل النقل.»

FAQs

Side‑by‑side comparison — what actually differs

We compare capabilities, not prices (campaigns change). Use this as a pre‑purchase checklist, then click the operator page for live details.

References: RUH operator pages; Sawa Visitor; Mobily Visitor; Zain Visitor; STC eSIM; Mobily eSIM; Yaqoot.

How to choose in 10 minutes (decision tree)

1) Need service before you exit the airport? → buy at the airport counter. (If queues are long, connect to the airport Wi‑Fi, skim official Visitor pages, then decide.)

2) Staying 1–4 weeks without Iqama? → pick a Visitor plan with data + local minutes + small international bucket. Screenshot the expiry.

3) Got Iqama? → pick a resident prepaid eSIM in your chosen app (mystc/Mobily/Yaqoot) and authenticate with Nafath.

4) Coverage disappointing at home/work? → initiate MNP to another operator while keeping your number.

Field‑testing plan quality (DIY method)

• Speed & stability: Run 3–5 speed tests across your daily route (home, workplace, compound, school). Note latency for video calls.

• Call quality: Place a 5‑minute call to a local mobile, then an international contact using the bundle minutes. Check for jitters/drops.

• Social apps: Confirm whether your plan’s “social” bucket covers your apps and whether it's capped (e.g., fair‑use).

• Battery & device: 5G can draw more power; if you’re on long commutes, consider switching to LTE when battery is low.

• Record‑keeping: Save screenshots of bundle details and data counters weekly; it helps spot throttling or misconfigured APNs.

Moving from Visitor to Resident (clean migration)

• Option A — New resident line: Buy/activate a resident line (eSIM or physical) with Nafath. Keep the visitor SIM until the new one works.

• Option B — Update ownership: Ask your operator whether they can link your existing number to your Iqama (do it in store with ID/fingerprint if the app doesn’t support it).

• Option C — Port then upgrade: If you like another operator’s coverage, port your visitor number in, then convert to resident prepaid in that app.

Why it matters: Banking/government OTPs expect a line registered to your ID. Audit with Argami after migration.

International calling & roaming (common corridors)

• International minutes: Visitor bundles frequently include small international buckets—always check the country list on the plan page before buying.

• Roaming: For weekend trips (e.g., Bahrain), in‑app roaming add‑ons can be cheaper than pay‑as‑you‑go; enable only for travel days and disable afterwards.

Dual‑SIM strategies (for work + personal)

• Two lines, one phone: Keep a resident eSIM for OTPs and a prepaid physical SIM from a different operator for backup coverage.

• Travel eSIM as fallback: For short outages, an international travel eSIM can provide data while you resolve local issues (speed varies widely; use only as a short‑term fix).

• Label your lines: Name each line in phone settings (“KSA‑Primary”, “Backup”) to avoid confusion during calls/messages.

Fine print checklist (catch these before you pay)

• Auto‑renew: Many prepaid bundles auto‑renew; toggle off if you prefer manual top‑ups.

• Data split: General vs social data; confirm what counts toward which bucket.

• Fair‑use & throttling: Some plans slow down after thresholds; look for the FUP line on the plan page.

• Validity & grace: STC’s pages mention balance validity and SIM validity extension upon paid activity—other operators have similar mechanisms.

• Refunds/returns: Prepaid vouchers and eSIM QR codes are usually non‑refundable once redeemed—confirm before paying.

Troubleshooting (expanded)

• APN missing: Most devices auto‑configure; if data doesn’t start, check APN in settings and restart.

• Nafath errors: Newly issued Iqamas can take time to propagate; try again later or complete in‑store.

• SIM lost/stolen: Block and re‑issue in store; then run an Argami check to be sure only your lines are active.

• eSIM transfer to new phone: Many operators require issuing a new QR when you change devices—plan ahead before you wipe the old phone.

Riyadh vs Jeddah vs Eastern — buying patterns

• Riyadh (KKIA/RUH): Counter presence is listed on the official airport site; if lines are long, use airport Wi‑Fi to compare Visitor pages, then queue.

• Jeddah (KAIA): Expect pilgrim seasons; if counters are crowded, review Visitor pages first to speed up the purchase decision.

• Eastern (Dammam/Khobar/Dhahran): Easy access to mall flagships; consider roaming add‑ons if you cross to Bahrain regularly.

What we do not publish (and why)

• We don’t list fixed prices/allowances in this guide because they change frequently and by campaign. We link the operator’s page instead so users always see the current offer.

• We don’t rely on third‑party rankings for coverage—your actual route matters more. Test on prepaid; port later if needed.

Audit trail — official sources we rely on

• Visitor bundles: STC Sawa Visitor, Mobily Visitor, Zain Visitor.

• eSIM flows: STC (mystc), Mobily eSIM, Yaqoot (Nafath).

• Regulator: Argami (My Numbers Inquiry) and MNP regulations.

• Airport counters: KKIA/RUH telecom service pages (STC/Mobily/Zain).