Moving to Makkah: What to Know Before You Arrive

Makkah (مكة المكرمة) is one of the most significant cities in the world for Muslims, and a growing destination for professionals and families relocating to the Makkah region. Moving here involves the same national residency framework used across Saudi Arabia, plus a few considerations unique to the holy city. This Saudi Living guide walks you through what to arrange before you arrive and in your first weeks.

Entry and the right visa

Foreign nationals must hold an appropriate Saudi visa before travelling. A tourist or visit visa lets you enter for a limited purpose but does not create residence rights and does not authorize employment. If you are relocating for work, your legal basis for living and working in Makkah is an employer-sponsored residence permit, not a visit visa.

Getting your Iqama

Employees generally live in the Kingdom on an employer-sponsored Iqama. Your employer processes the work permit through قوى and residence services through مقيم and أبشر. Under labor regulations, the employer typically bears the costs of recruitment, the Iqama, the work permit, profession changes, exit/re-entry, and any delay fines.

• The commonly published annual residence-permit fee is around SAR 650 per year, though the exact payable amount depends on your residence category and transaction.
• A fixed work-permit charge of SAR 100 may apply, plus a variable annual expatriate levy tied to the employer's workforce and Saudization rules — there is no single universal total.
• Employment Iqamas and work permits are usually issued or renewed for one year. Always treat the expiry date shown in أبشر or مقيم as the one that counts.

Bringing your family

Dependants need their own residence processing. A monthly dependant levy may apply — the figure commonly cited is SAR 400 per dependant per month — but eligibility, exemptions, and the actual amount owed must be confirmed in your employer's مقيم or أبشر transaction before you make plans.

Health insurance and digital access

Private-sector residents and their dependants generally need approved health insurance linked to Iqama issuance or renewal. The premium is set by the market, not a fixed government fee. Once you have your ID and a Saudi mobile number registered to your identity, set up نفاذ, which verifies your identity across many government services.

• Get a local SIM registered in your name soon after arrival.
• Register or update your national address through أبشر and the national-address service.
• Keep your address consistent for official and banking transactions.

Housing: renting in Makkah

Most new arrivals rent. Leases should be registered in the electronic rental system, which protects both tenant and landlord. Keep in mind that a non-Saudi resident's rental contract gives you the right to live in the property — it does not grant ownership.

Property ownership: the 2026 rules

A new non-Saudi property-ownership framework took effect on 22 January 2026. In Makkah and Madinah, ownership is restricted to Muslim individuals and to Saudi companies with non-Saudi shareholders, within the approved geographic scope and implementing rules. If you are considering buying rather than renting, confirm your eligibility and the applicable transaction charges before committing.

Changing employers later

If you want to move to a new job, changing employers requires the applicable قوى process, and your status must meet transfer rules. Do not start work for a new employer until the transfer is fully completed — doing so can jeopardize your residence status.

For the latest fees, eligibility, and timelines, always confirm details directly on the relevant official Saudi government portal such as أبشر, مقيم, or قوى before you act.

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