Dhahran - Post Report Question and Answers
Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
You'll need to obtain a resident ID card called an "iqama" before you can purchase a phone/SIM card. It's cheap to have a cell here and you "top up" your account (non-contract plan). - Apr 2016
We brought a GSM unlocked phone with us and bought a sim card when we got here. - Jun 2015
Per a new Saudi regulation, one must have an iqama (a living permit) to buy and register a SIM card for a cell phone--no exceptions. - Oct 2012
You're provided one by the consulate and only repsonsible for personal calls. - Apr 2008