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Tag: national address

  • Your First 30 Days in Makkah: A New Resident Checklist, Week by Week

    Your First 30 Days in Makkah: A New Resident Checklist, Week by Week

    The first month in Makkah goes fastest when you stop trying to do everything at once. Most admin jobs depend on one another: the bank wants your address, the address wants your lease, and almost everything wants your Absher login.

    This checklist puts those jobs in the order that works, a week at a time, with links to the official services and our deeper guides.

    Quick answer

    Short answer: Week 1: get Absher working, find a home and register the lease on Ejar. Week 2: National Address, SIM, bank account and utilities. Week 3: schools, health and emergency numbers. Week 4: learn the bus routes, the Friday rhythm and how to book Umrah as a resident on Nusuk.

    Week 1: identity and a home

    Week 1

    • Absher login working, phone number up to date
    • Two or three districts shortlisted
    • Homes visited at school-run time and after Maghrib
    • Lease registered on Ejar before paying

    Your residency details sit at the centre of everything, and the Ministry of Interior’s Absher platform is where many residency services live. Keep the registered mobile number current; verification codes go there.

    For housing, the rule is simple: no large payment before the contract is on Ejar. Our Ejar guide for tenants lists what to check in the contract.

    Week 2: address, phone and money

    Week 2

    • National Address registered through SPL
    • SIM bought from a licensed operator and authenticated
    • Bank account opened
    • Electricity and water accounts in your name

    Register your National Address with SPL as soon as the lease is settled; banks and couriers ask for it. For a SIM, buy from a licensed operator and complete the identity step described by CST.

    Then open a bank account and set up utilities. Our newcomers’ basics guide walks through both without quoting fees that change.

    Warning

    Never share a one-time password with a caller, even one claiming to be your bank or a government office. New residents are a common target.

    Week 3: schools and health

    Week 3

    • School admission rules checked with the Ministry of Education
    • Schools visited, documents ready
    • The Ministry of Health’s contact options and the emergency numbers in our emergency guide saved in every phone
    • Nearest hospital and pharmacy located

    Start with the Ministry of Education’s admission page for residents, then visit schools in person. Our schools and tutors checklist covers questions to ask.

    The Ministry of Health’s contact options are on moh.gov.sa. Save them alongside the numbers in our emergency guide.

    Week 4: learning the city

    Settling into the rhythm

    1

    Learn your bus routes: check the official Makkah Bus app for your district.

    2

    Test the Friday drive: see how long the trip to the Haram takes around Jumu’ah.

    3

    Plan Umrah as a resident: book a permit on Nusuk; our Nusuk guide explains how.

    4

    Find your local spots: masjid, bakery, pharmacy and a reliable maintenance contact.

    By now the paperwork should be behind you. The rest is getting to know the city: when the roads are calm, which shops stay open late, and how your street changes in Ramadan. Our Makkah buses guide helps with the first.

    What to keep ready all month

    Keep these to hand

    • Passport and residency details: digital and paper copies.
    • Signed lease: the Ejar-registered version.
    • National Address: the short code is handy for deliveries.
    • Children’s school records: with translations if needed.

    FAQ

    What is the first thing to do in Makkah?

    Get your Absher login working. Many other services depend on it.

    Can I register my National Address before I have a lease?

    It is easiest once your home is settled, because the address belongs to the building you live in.

    How soon should I contact schools?

    In the first few weeks. Schools can fill up before the new year starts.

    Last checked: 14 October 2026.

    Related

    Sources

  • Moving to Makkah (Mecca): The Complete Guide for New Residents

    Moving to Makkah (Mecca): The Complete Guide for New Residents

    Moving to Makkah is not like moving to any other city. Many people arrive with years of longing behind them, and then discover that daily life here still runs on paperwork, rent contracts and school forms.

    This guide takes you through the move in the order that actually works, from your digital identity to the first busy season. Each section links to a deeper guide or the official source.

    Quick answer

    Short answer: Start with your residency details and Absher login, then find a home and register the lease on Ejar. Register your National Address, open a bank account, set up electricity, water and a SIM, and enrol children through the Ministry of Education. Finally, learn how Fridays, Ramadan and Hajj change the city.

    Before you arrive

    Your employer or sponsor normally handles the visa and residency process, so ask them early what they cover and what you must do yourself. Keep digital and paper copies of passports, certificates and children’s school records, since many offices ask for them.

    Think about districts before you think about buildings. Our neighbourhoods guide explains how the city’s branch municipalities and districts are organised.

    Your first fortnight

    The order that saves time

    1

    Activate Absher: the Ministry of Interior’s Absher platform covers many residency services. Most other logins depend on it.

    2

    Find a home: compare districts, then register the contract on Ejar.

    3

    Register your National Address: through SPL. Banks and delivery firms ask for it.

    4

    Get a SIM: buy from a licensed operator and complete identity checks (CST).

    5

    Open a bank account and set up utilities: see our newcomers’ basics guide.

    Warning

    Never hand over a deposit or a year’s rent before the lease is registered on Ejar. Our Ejar guide for tenants explains what to check.

    Finding a home

    Makkah’s districts feel very different. Central areas put you within walking distance of the Haram but carry heavy crowds in Ramadan and Hajj. Outer residential districts are calmer and roomier, but you will rely on a car or bus.

    Visit a shortlisted home at the times that matter: the school run, after Maghrib and on a Friday. Ask what the rent includes, such as parking, maintenance and water, and get it written into the contract.

    Schools and children

    Start with the Ministry of Education’s admission page for residents, which explains how schools admit resident children. Private and international schools set their own processes and fees, so contact them directly and visit before enrolling.

    Bring previous school reports and, where needed, certified translations. Schools fill up before the new year, so start the conversation as soon as your move date is clear.

    Health and emergencies

    The Ministry of Health’s 937 service offers medical advice around the clock. Save it in your phone on day one, alongside the emergency numbers in our emergency numbers and hospitals guide. Your health insurance terms will depend on your employer or sponsor, so ask which clinics and hospitals are covered.

    Getting around

    Most residents drive or use taxis, but the city’s bus network is worth learning. Check routes on the official Makkah Bus app. For Jeddah, the airport and Madinah, the Haramain station is in Ar Rusayfah, 3.5 km from the Haram, and opens daily from 06:30 to 00:30.

    Living with the seasons

    What changes through the year

    • Fridays: roads near the Haram are busiest around Jumu’ah. Plan errands for other days.
    • Ramadan: Muslim private-sector staff work no more than 6 hours a day (HRSD), and evenings are crowded.
    • Hajj season: traffic and road controls increase, especially towards Mina.
    • Umrah: residents book through Nusuk; see our Umrah permit guide.

    The first Ramadan is the one that surprises people most. Offices open later, the city comes alive after iftar, and getting to Taraweeh needs a plan.

    Settling in

    Give yourself time. Find your nearest masjid, bakery and pharmacy in the first week, and learn a few Arabic phrases for shops and taxis. Neighbours are often the best source of practical advice, from which plumber to call to which road to avoid on a Friday.

    First-month checklist

    • Absher login working and phone number up to date
    • Lease registered on Ejar
    • National Address registered
    • Bank account, electricity and water set up
    • Schools contacted
    • 937 and emergency numbers saved

    FAQ

    What should I do first after moving to Makkah?

    Get your Absher login working. Most other services, from your National Address to banking, are easier once it is active.

    Do I need to register my rental contract?

    Yes, residential leases are registered on the official Ejar platform. It protects both tenant and landlord.

    Is it easy to get around Makkah without a car?

    It is possible with buses and taxis, but plan around prayer times, Fridays and the busy seasons.

    Last checked: 13 October 2026.

    Related

    Sources

  • New to Makkah? Bank Account, Electricity and Water Basics for Newcomers

    New to Makkah? Bank Account, Electricity and Water Basics for Newcomers

    The first weeks in a new city are full of small admin jobs. In Makkah, as anywhere in the Kingdom, many of them are now done online, as long as you tackle them in a sensible order. This guide covers the basics: a bank account, your National Address, and electricity and water at home. It doesn’t name banks, prices or tariffs. Those change, and the official channels are always the final word.

    Start with your digital identity

    Almost everything below gets easier once your residency details and government logins are working:

    • Absher, the Ministry of Interior’s digital services platform, covers many residency-related services for residents.
    • Many government services on the National Platform (my.gov.sa) use the national single sign-on that is linked to your Absher account.

    Set these up as soon as your residency documents allow. Keep your mobile number up to date, because verification codes are sent to it.

    Step 1: Register your National Address

    The National Address, run by Saudi Post (SPL), is an official address for your home. It is made up of building number, street, secondary number, district, postal code and city, and there is also a short version: four letters plus four numbers.

    Why it matters for newcomers:

    • Many service providers ask for it during sign-up.
    • It helps deliveries, including government documents, reach your door.
    • According to the National Platform, individuals can register online after signing in, and activation is shown as ready within 24 hours.

    Register once your lease is settled, and update it if you move districts.

    Step 2: Open a bank account

    The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) publishes the rules banks follow when opening accounts. For expatriates, SAMA’s rulebook generally expects:

    • A valid Iqama (residence permit).
    • Your address in Saudi Arabia (your National Address helps here) and your home-country address.
    • Contact details and, where it applies, your employer’s details.

    Banks may ask for more documents as part of their own checks. Practical tips:

    • Ask your employer which bank payroll uses. It often makes salary transfers smoother.
    • Compare account types and any fees on each bank’s official website or at a branch.
    • Turn on app notifications and two-factor security straight away.
    • Never share one-time passwords (OTPs) or card details with callers, even if they claim to be from your bank or a government body.

    Once your account is open, you can use it for transfers home too. Money remittance is a licensed payment service under SAMA’s payment services regulations.

    Step 3: Electricity at home

    Electricity accounts are managed through the Saudi Energy app (the Saudi Electricity Company’s customer app). According to its official app-store listing, you can:

    • Add or remove accounts linked to properties.
    • See your consumption and get alerts.
    • View and pay bills.
    • Submit and track service requests.

    Before you sign a lease, ask the landlord or agent how the electricity account is handled for that unit: who holds it, and how meter readings and any outstanding balance will be settled at move-in. Air-conditioning makes up a big part of household use in Makkah’s hot months, so check your consumption in the app early instead of waiting for a surprise bill.

    Step 4: Water and wastewater

    Water and wastewater services are handled by the National Water Company (NWC), which offers residential services through its website, a mobile app and customer service centers. Its catalog includes adding an existing account to your profile. Note that new connections are usually requested by the property owner.

    For tenants, the practical steps are:

    • Confirm with your landlord which water account belongs to your unit.
    • Add it to your NWC profile if you’ll be managing payments or reporting issues.
    • Report leaks or service problems through official NWC channels.

    Many households also buy bottled drinking water. That’s a matter of personal preference; this guide makes no claims about tap-water quality.

    Internet and mobile

    The major mobile operators (STC, Mobily and Zain) all cover Makkah. Home internet availability depends on your building and district, so ask the building management which providers already serve the building before you commit. See our utilities tips for more.

    Newcomer checklist

    1. Absher and the national sign-on are working; your phone number is current.
    2. National Address registered for your new home.
    3. Bank account opened; app security turned on.
    4. Electricity account confirmed with your landlord and linked in Saudi Energy.
    5. Water account confirmed and added in NWC if needed.
    6. Mobile and home internet sorted.

    For more first-month advice, see before you move.

    Last checked: 13 October 2026.

    General information only, not financial or legal advice. Requirements are set by the relevant authorities and providers and may change; confirm with them directly.

    Sources