livinginmakkah.com

Tag: newcomers

  • Makkah Expat and Newcomer Community: How Residents Actually Find Their People

    Makkah Expat and Newcomer Community: How Residents Actually Find Their People

    Newcomers often search for a ready-made “expat club” in Makkah and do not find one. That is not because the city is unfriendly. Community here simply works differently: it grows around the masjid, the school gate, the workplace and the street you live on.

    This guide explains how residents usually build their circle, and how to do it safely. We do not list named groups, because we cannot verify who runs them.

    Quick answer

    Short answer: In Makkah, community usually forms around your local masjid, your children’s school, your workplace and your neighbours, rather than formal expat clubs. Pray regularly at one masjid, join school events, accept invitations, and be cautious with online groups that ask for money or personal documents.

    The local masjid

    For most residents, the neighbourhood masjid is where friendships start. Praying there regularly, especially Fajr and Isha, means you see the same faces every day. Within weeks, someone will ask where you are from.

    Many masjids run Qur’an circles for children and adults. Ask the imam or the person who looks after the masjid what is offered nearby.

    Tip

    Choose one masjid near home and stick with it for the first few months. Familiarity builds trust faster than visiting many places once.

    The school gate

    If you have children, school is the second community. Parents meet at pick-up, at events and in parent groups. Start with the Ministry of Education’s admission page, and ask each school how parents are kept involved. Our schools and tutors checklist has questions to ask.

    Work and colleagues

    Colleagues are often the fastest route into the city’s rhythms: where to buy fresh bread, which mechanic is honest, how to plan around Fridays. Accept the first invitations, even if you are tired. They rarely come as often later.

    If you work shifts, look for colleagues on the same pattern. People who share your hours are the ones free for a coffee after work or a Haram visit at the same time.

    Neighbours

    Neighbours in Makkah tend to look out for each other, particularly in Ramadan, when food is shared between homes. A plate of something from your own country, returned in the same dish, is a simple way to start.

    Places community forms

    • Masjid: daily prayers, Qur’an circles, Ramadan nights.
    • School: parents, events, children’s friendships.
    • Work: colleagues and their families.
    • Street: neighbours, shops, Ramadan food sharing.

    Families and children

    For weekend outings where children can meet others, see our family activities guide. Our Friday guide explains how the weekly rhythm shapes family time.

    Online groups

    Messaging groups for newcomers can be helpful for practical questions. They can also be where scams start.

    Warning

    Be cautious with any group or contact that asks for money, your iqama number, bank details or one-time codes. Hire help only through legal channels; our guide to hiring household help safely explains how.

    Getting out and about

    Learning the bus network makes it easier to accept invitations across the city. Check routes on the official Makkah Bus app.

    First-month community steps

    • Pick your local masjid
    • Introduce yourself to immediate neighbours
    • Attend one school or workplace event
    • Say yes to the first invitation
    • Learn the bus route to a friend’s district

    FAQ

    Is there an expat club in Makkah?

    Community here usually forms through the masjid, schools, work and neighbours rather than formal clubs.

    How do I make friends as a newcomer?

    Pray regularly at one local masjid, join school events and accept invitations from colleagues.

    Are online newcomer groups safe?

    They can be useful, but never share money, documents or verification codes with people you have not met.

    Last checked: 12 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