Job Discussion Forums

Makkah · Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Posts: 113

Yes, you can arrange a prepaid SIM without Iqama or passport. Just maKe sure that you have the guys Iqama number because you will need it when you want to recharge your phone credit. Once you have your Iqama go to STC or whoever and transfer the phone number to your Iqama.

As regards the hissy fit / trolling above, well it is Ramadan, the non Muslim guys in my place usually throw a hissy fit at the slightest non-conformity, even what a guy has for his lunch, most likely related to lack of alco or s*x. Really comical to watch.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You need an Iqama - but you can use someone else's ?

Hmmmmmmm

I know what I would say to some dodgy EFL teacher who wanted to practise Identity Theft on me !

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

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

Any phone you buy will be locked. It won't be usable outside of Saudi Arabia unless you want to use Mobily outside of the KSA. You know how much that would cost.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I have bought phones in KSA and used them in UK and in Continental Europe. They may need to be unlocked but this is often a simple procedure.

Last time I did it the cost for unblocking was 5 Euros at a Mobile Phone Shop in Varna, Bulgaria.

Plump Person as usual gives the negative spin on everything ! He really should get out of his expat bubble a bit more !

Makkah · Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Posts: 113

Makkah · Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Posts: 113

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

I-forgot · Joined: 28 Jun 2015 Posts: 153 Location: Riyadh

Most (if not all) phones are unlocked in Saudi and will work fine elsewhere in the world.

However..... the easiest way to get a sim is to buy one at the airport on arrival. The phone kiosk is somewhere in one of the arrival terminals (they are all linked and I think it is somewhere in the middle). They will accept your passport as ID instead of an iqama and will save you a lot of hassle.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I am usually so stressed out and tired that buying a SIM at the airport is the last thing I would want to do.

It may be hard to comprehend but some of us can survive for a day or two with no access to mobile phones coverage !

I-forgot · Joined: 28 Jun 2015 Posts: 153 Location: Riyadh

Perhaps a generation gap, Scot47?

A whole couple of days? Hands would be twitching!

My advice remains the same as, on my first tour in Saudi, I was told I would be given a SIM card but they couldn't find one that worked fir two weeks. Women may have issues buying one at the mall. Sometimes, they are willing to serve you and sometimes you need to proposition random westerners to pretend to be your husband for half an hour or so. On the plus side, I've heard that is a good way to meet people...?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

For those on the distaff side, things are different. I always envied the way abaya-ed creatures were ushered to the front of the queue in the bank ! It works elsewhere too !

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 5:52 pm Post subject:

If they're the distaff, are we, then, the staff? Very Happy

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I will have to check that.