KSA Expats Blog
Practical Saudi guides, news updates and explainers for expats living and working in the Kingdom.
How to Apply for a Saudi E-Visa as a GCC Resident: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re living in a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country and planning to visit Saudi Arabia, you can now apply for an e-Visa entirely online. The digital application…
How an Unpaid Mobile Bill Caused a Travel Ban in Saudi Arabia: A Real Expat Experience
One of our South Asian friends recently shared his real-life experience during his short visit to Saudi Arabia — a story that carries an important lesson for many…
How to Get the Digital Visitor ID Card for Umrah Visa Holders in Saudi Arabia
If you are visiting Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa, you no longer need to carry your passport everywhere. Instead, you can show a Digital Visitor ID for identity verification…
How to Check Your Umrah Visa Status Online Using Passport Number
If you are planning to perform Umrah and have already applied for a visa through an authorized agent, you can easily check whether your Umrah visa has been…
All About Sfeer: Riyadh Air’s New Loyalty Program Explained
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national airline, is getting ready for its first flights to London Heathrow on October 26, 2025. Along with that exciting news, the airline…
Riyadh Metro Fines and Passenger Guidelines
The Riyadh Metro aims to provide a safe, clean, and comfortable travel experience for everyone. To maintain order and safety, the Transport General Authority (TGA) has issued a…
How to Invest in the Saudi Stock Market as an Expatriate Resident
If you are an expatriate living in Saudi Arabia and want to invest in the stock market, the process is straightforward and accessible. As a resident with a…
How to Open a Visitor Bank Account in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia now allows visitors to open bank accounts during their stay. To help you understand how this works, here’s a step-by-step guide of opening a Visitor Account with Bank Albilad.…
Saudi Arabia’s 5 Busiest Domestic Air Routes Revealed
Saudi Arabia’s domestic air travel is booming, with millions of seats offered every year on popular routes between major cities. According to Aviation enthusiasts (عشاق عالم الطيران @AviationWG) on X,…
Buying or selling a car in Saudi Arabia? Marjea now helps you know its real value
Buying or selling a car in Saudi Arabia just got easier. The Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers (Taqeem) has launched “Marjea,” a new digital platform that helps people know the…
GCC to Launch Single Tourist Visa in Q4 2025 for All Gulf Countries
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will roll out the pilot phase of its long-awaited unified tourist visa — officially called the GCC Grand Tourist Visa — in the fourth quarter of 2025. Modeled after Europe’s Schengen…
HRSD Allows Workers Reported “Absent from Work” to Transfer Sponsorship
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) has introduced a new initiative, effective September 18, 2025, through the Qiwa platform, enabling professional workers who were previously reported as “absent from work” to…