Living in Riyadh: A Newcomer's Guide

Riyadh is the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, sitting at the heart of the Riyadh region in central Saudi Arabia. It's a fast-moving, ambitious city where modern towers meet historic districts, and where most of your daily life will be managed through smart government apps. If you're moving here as an expatriate or a returning resident, this guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the essentials: paperwork, housing, costs, and the digital tools that keep everything running.

The Iqama: your key to everything

A valid Iqama (residence permit) is the foundation of long-term life in Riyadh. Without it, you can't open a bank account, get a SIM card, rent housing, or sign most official contracts. The government fee for issuing or renewing an Iqama is SAR 650 per year

If you bring family members, expect a monthly dependent fee of SAR 400 per dependent, which is usually paid upfront for the full year at renewal. Separately, many private employers cover the work permit (labor office) fee, commonly around SAR 800 per month per employee — this is distinct from the Iqama fee, so confirm with your employer who pays what.

The order you'll do things

Newcomers typically complete their setup in this sequence:

• Entry visa
• Medical insurance activation
• Iqama issuance
• Bank account opening
• Driving license or license conversion (if eligible)
• Ejar housing contract

Each step tends to unlock the next, so it helps to tackle them in order rather than all at once.

Housing and the Ejar system

All expatriate housing contracts in Riyadh are registered through the national Ejar system. The Ejar registration fee is SAR 250, typically paid by the landlord. Contracts are usually annual and can be paid yearly, semi-annually, or quarterly by bank transfer through the Ejar-linked system.

On budgeting for rent in 2026:

• A 1-bedroom apartment in central Riyadh runs roughly SAR 2,500 to SAR 7,000 per month, depending on district, building quality, and furnishing.
• Gated compounds, popular with many expatriate families, charge higher rents — commonly from about SAR 80,000 to over SAR 200,000 per year for multi-bedroom villas or apartments.

The government apps you'll rely on

Nearly all core services are handled through national digital portals. Get familiar with these:

• أبشر (Absher) — individual services like some Iqama renewals, exit/re-entry visas, traffic services, and family sponsorship.
• قوى (Qiwa) — private-sector employment contracts, transfers between employers, and work authorization.
• مقيم (Muqeem) — employer-side residency and visa services for sponsored employees.
• ناجز (Najiz) — Ministry of Justice services such as notarizations, powers of attorney, and real-estate transactions.
• نفاذ (Nafath) — unified national digital login and two-factor authentication across government and many private platforms.
• Balady — municipal services such as commercial licenses and neighborhood matters.

Settling in with confidence

Riyadh rewards a bit of preparation. Keep your documents organized, activate نفاذ early so logging into other apps is smooth, and confirm any fee or requirement on the relevant official Saudi portal — such as أبشر, مقيم, or the ministry involved — before you pay. Fees and processes can change, and official portals always carry the most current details.

Once your Iqama, bank account, and housing are settled, the rest of Riyadh opens up quickly. سعودي ليفنج is here to help you make the most of life in the Saudi capital.

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