2025-09-25
The Saudi Central Bank has updated its Account Opening Rules to explicitly permit visitors holding a Visitor ID to open bank accounts. The amendment modifies specific items and rules across Parts Two and Three, removes a prior exception, and introduces a dedicated sub-paragraph detailing documentation, address requirements, visit duration limits, and minor account approvals. Banks are required to implement these changes immediately by updating their electronic registries, verifying visitor identities through reliable sources, and adjusting account freezing and remote opening procedures accordingly.
P.O Box 2992 Riyadh 11169 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 11 463 3000 Classification: Circular Dear Sirs, Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you. Subject: Update the Account Opening Rules by Adding the Visitor ID Document.
Reference is made to the Account Opening Rules communicated under Circular No. 67/15681 dated 1/11/1440 AH, and to enable visitors holding a Visitor ID to open bank accounts in the Kingdom, we hereby notify you that the Account Opening Rules have been updated by adding the Visitor ID document, according to the attached format; as follows:
Effective from its date. For your information and action, please accept my regards, Yazid bin Ahmed Al-Sheikh Deputy Governor for Supervision
Distribution Scope:
P.O Box 2992 Riyadh 11169 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 11 463 3000 Classification: Update the Account Opening Rules by Adding the Visitor ID Document ▪ Item No. (3-1) "Non-Saudi Natural Persons" from Rule No. (1) "Electronic (Automated) Registry":
▪ Item No. (2-1-3) "Non-Saudi Natural Persons" from Rule No. (3) "Freezing Bank Accounts upon Document Expiry": Banks shall freeze all accounts... Expatriates' accounts must also be closed upon final departure. These documents are:
P.O Box 2992 Riyadh 11169 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 11 463 3000 Classification: ▪ Rule No. (3) "Regulations for Opening Bank Accounts for Natural Persons Remotely" from Rule No. (100) "General Instructions on Opening Bank Accounts":
▪ Adding a sub-paragraph under Item No. (3-1-200) "Expatriates, Visitors, and Residents in the Kingdom" from Rule No. (200) regarding "Visitors to the Kingdom holding a Visitor ID": "Visitors to the Kingdom holding a Visitor ID: A bank account may be opened for visitors after obtaining a copy of the Visitor ID issued by the Ministry of Interior, their residential address in the Kingdom, their home country address, and the purpose of visit. Banks shall not provide products or services exceeding the document's end date and the visit's duration. Additionally, banks must obtain a guardian or custodian's approval to open an account when the visitor is a minor."
End of circular...