Saudi Arabia allows tourists and visitors to open personal bank accounts

Saudi Arabia has launched a new banking service allowing tourists and long-stay visitors to open personal bank accounts, a move aimed at making financial transactions more convenient during their stay and supporting the Kingdom’s push towards a cashless economy.

The initiative forms part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to boost tourism, improve visitor services, and modernize the financial sector. The regulatory update was approved by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) in late September 2025.

Under the new framework, visitors holding eligible visas, including tourist, business, Umrah, family visit, and study visas, can open personal bank accounts, provided they have a valid Visitor ID issued by the Ministry of Interior.

The primary identification requirement is the Visitor ID, also known as the border number, which is digitally verified through the government’s Absher platform, along with a valid passport. Participating banks offer digital and instant service channels, allowing many accounts to be opened remotely without the need to visit a physical branch.

The visitor accounts are designed for everyday financial needs, enabling users to make local payments, access mobile wallets and digital payment services, withdraw cash from ATMs, and conduct both local and international transfers.

However, the accounts are intended for short-term use, and services may be more limited compared to resident accounts. The validity of the account is expected to be linked to the duration of the visitor’s visa or the expiry of the Visitor ID.

Authorities say the move significantly enhances the visitor experience by offering a safer and more practical alternative to relying solely on cash or international bank cards, while also supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader goal of expanding digital payments and strengthening its tourism ecosystem.