Job Discussion Forums

truthbebold · Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Posts: 20

Mobily is now requiring an Iqama number when recharging phone credit. I'm not sure if this applies to STC or not yet.

jaffa · Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Posts: 403

STC too. In fact all of them.

So without iqama no phone?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

No iqama no phone has always been the rule. Rules in KSA are sometimes forgotten about.

truthbebold · Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Posts: 20

Of course, but Mobily is now enforcing it, at least in Jubail. When you enter the number from your recharge card, you are also prompted to enter your Iqama number. If you don't, it won't recharge. Taking out the middle man so to speak.

readytotravel · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 77

Mobily will allow you to get a sim without an iqama. However, after a period of time-perhaps a month or two-when you try to recharge it will require your iqama number which must match the one they have on file. This means that you have to go back to Mobily with your iqama and register your sim. The first time you recharge after that you must also enter your iqama number and it must match their files. It is unclear if you have to do this for subsequent recharges.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

System used to be that you had to show Iqama to get a SIM. Then you had to let them know when you renewed your Iqama.

truthbebold · Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Posts: 20

I know people who have been using SIMs for about a year now and recharging with no problems until now.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The OP seems to think the whole thing is some gross violation of his civil liberties !!!

truthbebold · Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Posts: 20

elamericano · Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 65

So the number you enter, and that they have on file, specifically has to be for the iqama and cannot be for your passport? Hmm.

In any event, if you do have an iqama you can bypass needing to enter the number and worry about recharges in this manner by getting your account changed to postpaid. Which requires going to a Mobily shop in person and presenting the iqama, which they photocopy, then enter the number into their system and convert your account within about an hour.

Afterwards you can get set up on the Mobily website to recharge your account via credit card through the website. You can't use a credit card for that unless your account is postpaid.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

truthbebold · Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Posts: 20

Right, this only applies to those on business visas.

Some people have tried to go into the Mobily shop and use their passport numbers to set up an account. They then "pretend" to do it, say "no problem" and then when you try to recharge, it doesn't work. Confused

This was the whole point of the post. The rules have been there, what's new is that they are seeming to now be enforced.

readytotravel · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 77

Mobily store at Granada Mall no longer serves women due to alleged "mischief making".

billings · Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Posts: 68

For contract phones no need - obviously!

For prepaid SIM cards (ALL companies: mobily etc.) you need to go to any MOBILY office etc. where they photocopy your iqama and SIM card!
These details are then entered in the computer. (Actually, I had to go to the office and do this FOUR times because of incompetence etc.)
However, when those details are registered, it is easy.
You type in *1400* followed by the number of the charge card (scratch card followed by *. Then put in iqama number followed by # and press dial:
*1400*12233321234566778*1234567676# and dial
actually, quite easy!