Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving abroad or traveling far from loved ones has never been more common, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. Parents back in France, children settled in Canada, a spouse in Africa or Europe… Staying close despite thousands of miles is possible, but requires a bit of organization, especially in a country where some calling apps are limited and where time differences complicate family catch-ups.
For communicating from China, several options exist: WhatsApp is restricted, VoIP calls are regulated, using a local SIM card is possible, and Chinese social networks are ubiquitous. Traditional mail also remains an alternative. The goal is to stay in touch with loved ones affordably and while respecting the local legal framework.
This article provides a very practical overview of all the solutions for staying in touch with loved ones from Saudi Arabia, based on recent studies and reports containing technical, pricing, and cultural data.
Understanding the Saudi context: an ultra-connected but highly regulated country
Before choosing an app or a SIM card, it’s essential to understand two realities that coexist in Saudi Arabia: on one hand, internet infrastructure among the fastest in the world, on the other, a strict regulatory framework for certain communication services.
Saudi Arabia regularly ranks at the top globally for mobile internet speed. A 2025 report, for example, indicates a median of nearly 200 Mbps on mobile according to some sources, and even close to 290 Mbps in other rankings from late 2025. Riyadh exceeds 300 Mbps median 5G speeds, Jeddah is around 270 Mbps. For fixed lines, median speeds range between 115 and 185 Mbps depending on the source.
Saudi Arabia is the first country in the EMEA region to have allocated the 600 MHz frequency band for mobile networks.
At the same time, internet-based communication is closely monitored and regulated. The regulator, the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST, formerly CITC), heavily regulates VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services. Audio and video calls via WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime, Viber, and other similar services were blocked for years. Users observed the partial return of WhatsApp calls in early 2026, but no official confirmation of a permanent lifting had been given as of the latest data, making the situation unstable and potentially temporary.
Authorities justify their actions on grounds of national security, cybersecurity, controlling data flows, and protecting the revenue of local telecom operators (STC, Mobily, Zain).
In summary, connectivity is not the problem. What matters is choosing channels compliant with local regulations, or understanding the potential risks when attempting to bypass certain limitations.
Operators and network quality: an asset for video calls
To stay close to loved ones from Saudi Arabia, choosing a good mobile operator or a good fixed connection is key. The three major players are STC (historically Saudi Telecom Company), Mobily, and Zain. A fourth, Virgin Mobile, operates as an MVNO on another’s network.
Independent analyses show a highly competitive market. STC often leads in coverage and raw speeds, while Mobily performs particularly well on video experience quality and gaming.
Here is a simplified summary of some performance indicators useful for family communications:
| Indicator (mobile) | STC | Mobily | Zain* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average download speed | ~55.2 Mbps (global) | Lower on average | Not specified |
| Video Experience (score /100) | Lower than Mobily | ≈ 62.9 (leader) | Not specified |
| Gaming Experience (score /100) | Behind Mobily | ≈ 69.9 (leader) | Not specified |
| Coverage (score /10) | ≈ 8.7 (leader) | Slightly behind | Not specified |
| 4G/5G Availability (%) | High | ≈ 97.9% (leader) | Not specified |
*Detailed figures for Zain are not systematically provided in the cited reports, but the operator also offers 4G and 5G in major cities.
For smooth and regular international video calls, three technical elements are paramount: a stable network connection (without drops), consistent upload and download speeds, and low latency. The required speeds are moderate: about 3 to 5 Mbps for HD quality, which is generally lower than the available median speeds. Thus, even with multiple devices connected in a home, calls via a dedicated app remain smooth, especially on high-performance networks like fiber or 5G.
Authorized apps, VoIP, and alternatives to blocked services
The restrictions on WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype and other international VoIP services force people to turn to approved solutions or to combine several tools depending on the type of contact (professional, family, emergency, etc.).
Authorities recommend using “licensed” communication apps, often integrated into operator plans. BOTIM is the most cited example. This VoIP app works legally in Saudi Arabia and allows voice and video calls over the internet. Full access to calls generally requires a subscription purchased through STC, Mobily, or Zain, billed monthly.
Other communication apps, such as IMO, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, are authorized and used in a personal or professional context. This also includes certain versions of tools like Skype for Business or Zoom when operated within a business or institutional framework.
The main characteristics of these alternatives are:
| Application | Status in Saudi Arabia | Typical Usage | Strengths for Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOTIM | Approved, linked to operator plans | Regular voice/video calls | Simplicity, compliance |
| IMO | Approved | Video calls, messaging | Widely used in the region |
| Google Meet | Approved | Large family video meetings | Reliability, multi-platform |
| Microsoft Teams | Approved | Professional calls, sometimes family | Excellent for large screens |
| Zoom | Generally accessible | Group meetings, events | Ideal for large families |
| Available in Saudi Arabia | Calls + messaging for China | Useful for loved ones in China |
For loved ones who are not comfortable with these tools, it may be relevant to offer remote installation or plan for a small family tutorial. The challenge isn’t only technical: for grandparents, for example, the multitude of apps can be confusing. It’s better to agree on two or three tools maximum, ensuring they work well in both countries involved.
WhatsApp, VPNs, and eSIMs: what you really need to know
WhatsApp remains the world’s most used messaging app, with nearly three billion users. In Saudi Arabia, its use is massive for text messages, photos, videos, and voice notes, which are not blocked. This channel is therefore ideal for quick updates, daily photos, or messages in a family group.
On the other hand, WhatsApp voice/video calls have long been blocked. Some users were surprised to see these functions reappear in early 2026, without authorities confirming a permanent policy change. The situation is described as “fluid” and uncertain. Relying solely on WhatsApp to call family therefore remains risky.
To unlock WhatsApp in a country where it’s restricted, you can use a VPN. Connect to a server located in a country without restrictions (like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Germany, Turkey, or Morocco) to use the app normally. Services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, or Private Internet Access are recommended for their speed and large server networks.
However, several elements should be taken very seriously:
– Using a VPN for activities in contradiction with local regulations can be problematic, even though VPNs themselves are not explicitly forbidden for legitimate uses (securing connections, work access, etc.).
– Free VPNs expose you to risks: data collection, slowdowns, volume limits, intrusive ads.
– A VPN often adds latency and can reduce call quality.
Options for bypassing restrictions and using WhatsApp while traveling or abroad, particularly via digital solutions.
Offers eSIMs with unlimited internet data and speeds up to 5G. Includes a small daily quota for connection sharing.
Solutions like Roamless that allow connecting via a foreign operator to access all WhatsApp features.
But here again, it is essential to keep in mind that you are physically on Saudi territory and that local law applies. The eSIM does not change the legal framework, only the technical path taken by the data.
The most cautious recommendation therefore remains: primarily use approved applications (BOTIM, IMO, Google Meet, Teams, etc.) for calls, and reserve WhatsApp for messages, photos, and possibly calls when the regulatory situation is clear and stable. The use of VPNs or technical workarounds must be evaluated with full knowledge, weighing the risks.
Choosing your local SIM or eSIM: the basis for staying reachable
To talk regularly with loved ones from Saudi Arabia, it’s almost essential to have a local number and/or a reliable data connection. Three main options exist: a local prepaid SIM card, a postpaid plan, or an eSIM.
The three major operators (STC, Mobily, Zain) offer “visitor” or “tourist” plans, generally valid for 7 to 30 days, including gigabytes of data, local minutes, sometimes international minutes and social media data.
For example, the price ranges noted for visitor plans are as follows:
| Operator | Plan Name (examples) | Typical Content | Approximate Price (SAR) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STC | Sawa Visitor 35 / 130 | 5 to 70 GB, 60 min to 6 hrs of calls | ≈ 40 to 150 | 14-28 days |
| Mobily | Visitors 50 / 150 | 15 to 40 GB, minutes + social networks | ≈ 57.5 to 172.5 | 14-30 days |
| Zain | Visitor 40, Shabab 79 | 6 to 15 GB, minutes + social data | ≈ 40 to 79 | 14-30 days |
Prices vary, but for reasonable usage, it remains within a range of 70 to 150 riyals for a month of comfortable connection, roughly a few tens of euros.
eSIMs, on the other hand, are downloaded before or during the stay, via platforms like Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, aloSIM, GigSky, or Roamless. They are particularly convenient if your phone is compatible (recent iPhones, certain Samsung or Pixel models). Entry prices for 1 GB for 7 days are around $4 to $7 depending on the provider, with unlimited options like Holafly by the day.
For a long-term expatriate, the ideal is often a local SIM card (or even a postpaid subscription) combined with a secondary travel eSIM for trips within the region. This dual approach allows keeping a Saudi number for local calls and administration, while taking advantage of competitive data offers abroad.
Managing the time difference: the real difficulty for talking to family
Being far away geographically is one thing, juggling time zones is another. Studies on long-distance communication in dispersed families show it well: the main obstacle isn’t technology, but time.
Interviews with people living in areas ranging from GMT-8 to GMT+8 (United States, Canada, Europe, China) highlight several key points:
The time difference is a major challenge for communications. Audio/video calls, preferred for their intimacy, are often organized around informal weekend routines, especially for gaps of more than 5 hours. Everyone ends up mastering time zone calculations, but errors, especially from those less accustomed, can lead to untimely calls.
For someone settled in Saudi Arabia (UTC+3) with family in France (UTC+1 in winter), the difference remains moderate. However, with Canada, the United States, or East Asia, the differences quickly widen to 6, 8, even 12 hours.
To facilitate communication between remote teams, it is effective to identify common time slots. For example, between mainland France and Saudi Arabia, a call can take place in the evening in France, which corresponds to late evening in Saudi Arabia, or during the day on weekends. For exchanges between Saudi Arabia and North America, one solution is to plan early in the morning Saudi time (late evening American time), or vice versa depending on each person’s preferences.
Research also shows that people don’t fundamentally change their sleeping or work hours for calls, except for special occasions (holidays, birthdays, New Year). The trick, therefore, is more about establishing a stable ritual than finding slots on a case-by-case basis.
Tools like world clocks, websites like worldtimebuddy.com, or shared calendars are valuable. Scheduling a recurring family video call, for example every Sunday at 7 PM Saudi time, and synchronizing it to local time for everyone via Google Calendar, reduces the risk of forgetting or error.
The strength of the internet lies not only in big planned calls, but in all those small exchanges that weave daily life: a WhatsApp message, an Instagram story, a video on Snapchat, a comment on TikTok, a YouTube link shared in the family group.
In Saudi Arabia, social media usage is massive: nearly 95% of the population uses at least one platform, and almost everyone spends more than three hours a day on social networks. Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter)… the presence is continuous and touches all age groups, even though young people (18–34 years) largely dominate.
To keep in touch with loved ones living abroad, diversify your means of communication instead of relying solely on one long weekly call. This creates an interesting opportunity for more regular and spontaneous connection.
– share short videos of your daily life on Instagram or Snapchat to show your life in Saudi Arabia;
– regularly send voice messages and photos via WhatsApp;
– create a family group where everyone posts updates at their own pace;
– start a video conversation from time to time via an authorized app (Google Meet, Zoom) and share the link in the group.
Here is an overview of some particularly useful platforms:
| Platform | Typical Usage in Saudi Arabia | Usefulness for staying in touch with family |
|---|---|---|
| Daily messaging, groups, business | Messages, photos, audio, family groups | |
| Snapchat | Private stories, quick exchanges | Showing your daily life spontaneously |
| Photos, stories, Reels | Visually sharing your environment | |
| TikTok | Short creative videos | Sending playful videos to family |
| YouTube | Long videos, tutorials, vlogs | Publishing or following more elaborate content |
| Groups, families, older generations | Keeping in touch with less “tech-savvy” loved ones | |
| X (Twitter) | News, opinions | Less relevant for intimate family exchanges |
This multitude of channels allows adapting the form of connection to each person’s preferences. Parents unfamiliar with stories might love long detailed emails or WhatsApp messages, while younger siblings will enthusiastically follow your Reels or TikTok.
Classic international calls, prepaid cards, and specialized VoIP services
Despite the rise of apps, the “classic” international phone call retains its importance, notably in two cases: when the internet connection is poor (travel, trips to remote areas) or when the correspondent doesn’t have reliable internet access.
In Saudi Arabia, operators (STC, Mobily, Zain) sell international calling options, billed either per minute or via monthly packages (50 to 200 riyals per month depending on the plan). Another solution: international calling cards, practical but sometimes with hidden fees (connection fees, higher first minute, etc.), with typical rates between 0.5 and 2 SAR per minute depending on the destination.
Many specific applications complement this picture, allowing calls to landlines or mobile numbers abroad without the recipient needing an internet connection or the app.
Several apps like Talk360, Rebtel, Yolla, Localphone, mytello, NobelApp, Dingtone, BOSS Revolution, KeepCalling, and ZippCall allow making calls. Their operation is generally the same: the user purchases credit in the app, which then connects the call via VoIP or traditional phone gateways.
Yolla, for example, allows calling any number in the world, with Yolla-to-Yolla calls free. The service charges per minute, with no hidden fees, and promotes HD audio quality. It’s possible to keep and display your usual number, send international SMS (about $0.15 each), and even top up the phones of loved ones in over 148 countries. For users in Saudi Arabia, Yolla accepts payments via operator billing with STC, Mobily, and Zain on Android, or via PayPal, Alipay, and other means on iOS.
ZippCall promises up to 90% savings on international calls compared to major operator rates.
For someone settled in Saudi Arabia, these solutions can be interesting for calling loved ones who never connect to the internet (elderly parents, for example) or who live in areas where data is expensive or scarce. It’s simply important to compare rates minute by minute, as differences are sometimes huge depending on the country.
Mail and packages: reintroducing physical presence into the relationship
Even in the age of ultra-high-speed internet, nothing totally replaces the joy of receiving a real letter, a package, a gift for a birthday or a religious holiday. From Saudi Arabia, it is Saudi Post (SPL) that handles national and international mail, with a network of about 549 offices, over 11.5 million customers, and specialized express services.
Several products facilitate sending documents and gifts abroad:
Discover our tailored solutions for fast package shipping, international shopping, and local delivery in Saudi Arabia.
Quickly send your packages to Europe, India, North Africa, and other destinations via EMS, Gulf Express, Nile Express, etc.
Shop at international stores and have your purchases delivered directly to Saudi Arabia.
Benefit from reliable home delivery across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Delivery times vary: from 4 to 8 business days for domestic, often 7 to 21 days for international, sometimes longer depending on the destination. Packages are tracked using tracking numbers (often 13 characters, like EE123456789SA), viewable on the SPL website or via third-party tracking apps.
For families, these services allow for example:
– sending gifts for Eid, Christmas, or birthdays;
– sending original documents (diplomas, notarized acts, handwritten letters);
– exchanging symbolic objects that maintain the bond.
Platforms facilitate sending from abroad. It is essential to check the list of prohibited products (alcohol, pork products, media contrary to Islamic values, drugs, certain electronic devices, etc.) and to precisely fill in the Saudi address (full name, building and street number, district, city, 5-digit postal code, phone number).
For businesses or individuals established in Saudi Arabia, the National Address system has become an essential pivot: it is a prerequisite for opening bank accounts, registering businesses, and receiving administrative documents (residency cards, etc.). For an expatriate, ensuring their National Address is properly configured, and that their loved ones have its exact form, greatly facilitates the delivery of physical mail.
Integrating Saudi cultural codes into your exchanges
Staying in touch with loved ones from Saudi Arabia isn’t just about dealing with technology and regulations. It’s also about living in a society deeply marked by Islam, tribal traditions, and a strong culture of family and hospitality.
Even if your contacts are abroad, it can be valuable to integrate certain codes into your way of communicating, if only to share the context in which you live.
Starting a video conversation with an “As-salamu alaykum” and responding “Wa alaykum as-salam” immediately sets the tone. Questions about health and family (“How are you? And the family?”) are not mere formalities: they express genuine interest and a form of respect.
Greetings and polite inquiries
In your exchanges with foreign loved ones, explaining why certain topics are sensitive (religion, regional politics, life of women in the family) or why certain local practices (gender separation in some gatherings, importance of prayer and Friday, pace changes during Ramadan) influence your call availability helps avoid misunderstandings.
The notion of time is also experienced differently: relationships take precedence over rigid schedules. If a family discussion runs long, it’s often a sign of engagement and interest. Conversely, during the five daily prayer times or during iftar in Ramadan, it can be delicate to answer a call, even from a distant relative. Informing your family abroad of these constraints changes the perception a lot.
Building a personal strategy for long-distance communication
Ultimately, staying in touch with loved ones from Saudi Arabia comes down to assembling several pieces:
– a good local connection (SIM or eSIM);
– one or two approved calling apps (BOTIM, IMO, Google Meet, Teams…);
– a universal messaging app (WhatsApp) for daily, non-blocked exchanges;
– a few specialized tools (Yolla, Rebtel, calling cards) for loved ones without internet;
– and, for big occasions, resorting to mail or physical packages.
One approach is to ask yourself a few simple questions:
To optimize your exchanges with your loved ones, clearly define: 1. The people to contact regularly (family, friends, colleagues). 2. The most suitable and simple communication tools for each (WhatsApp, phone, Zoom). 3. Available time slots considering time differences. 4. Your own cultural or religious constraints that may impact your availability. 5. The monthly budget you can allocate to these communications.
From there, you can create your “contact plan”: a group video call every Sunday via Google Meet, daily WhatsApp messages, a physical package every quarter, classic phone calls for certain family members, etc.
Studies indicate that the quality of the bond depends more on the regularity and predictability of contacts than on their raw frequency. A short weekly appointment is often more meaningful than a rare long conversation. A continuous flow of small exchanges (messages, photos, reactions on social networks) creates an affective “background noise” that maintains the feeling of belonging to the family circle despite the distance.
In Saudi Arabia, the infrastructure, social media penetration, and variety of available tools offer particularly fertile ground for this long-distance presence. By accepting the local constraints (regulated VoIP, certain blocked apps), and leveraging approved services, ultra-high-speed internet, and digital practices already massively established in the population, it is entirely possible to remain closely linked to loved ones, whether they are in Paris, Dakar, Montreal, or Beijing.
The challenge is no longer technical: it is mainly organizational, emotional and, sometimes, cultural. But for those who take the time to structure their way of communicating, to carefully choose their tools and time slots, living far away in Saudi Arabia no longer means being far from family.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
