Tips, how-tos and explainers on Iqama, visas, jobs, banking, driving and everyday life in the Kingdom.
With so many banks operating in Saudi Arabia, expats often end up choosing based on which branch happened to be closest when they needed to open an account quickly — understandable, but not always the best long-term fit. If you have a bit more time to decide, a few practical differences between the major banks are worth knowing, especially around international transfers,…
25 Jul 2026Opening a bank account is one of the first practical tasks most expats tackle after arriving in Saudi Arabia, and for good reason — without one, receiving your salary, paying rent, or even signing up for a mobile plan becomes needlessly complicated. The process itself is fairly straightforward once you know what's required, but a little preparation saves you an unnecessary second trip…
23 Jul 2026