How to Get Your Absher Digital ID to Buy Property in Saudi Arabia (From Outside KSA)

Why You Need This

Since January 21, 2026, Saudi Arabia’s property ownership system for foreigners is fully digital. Every step of a property transaction goes through two platforms:

1. Absher (absher.sa) — your Saudi digital identity
2. Saudi Properties Portal (aqar.rega.gov.sa) — the official portal for foreign property purchases

Without a verified Absher account, you cannot:

• Check if a specific property is in a designated zone
• Sign a purchase contract electronically
• Pay the Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT)
• Receive your electronic title deed (صك الملكية)

This guide explains how to get set up as an international buyer — without necessarily traveling to Saudi Arabia first.

What You Need Before Starting

• Valid passport
• Saudi Border Number (see Step 1 below if you don’t have one)
• Saudi mobile number — +966 (see Step 3 below if you don’t have one)
• Email address
• Access to a Saudi Embassy if you’ve never been to Saudi Arabia

Step 1 — Find Your Border Number

Your Border Number is a 10-digit ID number issued by Saudi Immigration. It is the key to creating your Absher account.

If you’ve visited Saudi Arabia before:

• Check your visa page — immigration officers sometimes write it there
• Or retrieve it online:
  1. Go to absher.sa and select “Individuals”
  2. Choose “Public Services” → “Query Border Number”
  3. Enter your Visa Number and Visa Issue Date
  4. Your Border Number will be displayed

If you’ve never visited Saudi Arabia:

• Apply for a Property Investor Visa through the Saudi e-visa portal — this initiates Border Number issuance without requiring immediate travel
• Or contact a Saudi-based real estate lawyer who can submit an investor registration through the Saudi Properties portal on your behalf
• The Nafath app (Saudi’s national access app) also has a non-resident investor onboarding flow as of 2026

Step 2 — Register on Absher

Once you have your Border Number:

1. Go to absher.sa → “Individuals” → “New User Registration”
2. Enter:
   • Border Number
   • Saudi mobile number (required for OTP)
   • Email address
   • Choose a username and password
3. A verification code is sent to your Saudi number
4. Enter the code to complete registration

Important: Registration ≠ activation. You are registered but not yet verified for property transactions. Proceed to Step 4 for activation.

Step 3 — Get a Saudi Mobile Number (+966)

This is the most common obstacle for international buyers. You need a Saudi number to receive OTP codes on Absher and the property portal. There is no workaround in the system.

Option A — Saudi eSIM (Fastest, ~$15–30)

Buy a Saudi eSIM online and install it on your smartphone. Providers:

• Mobily: mobily.com.sa — supports international customers, eSIM available
• STC: stc.com.sa — largest Saudi carrier
• Travel eSIM services: Umrahme, Trip.com, Airalo also sell Saudi data + SMS plans

Critical: Make sure the plan explicitly supports receiving SMS messages while roaming internationally — not just data. Confirm this before purchasing.

Option B — Saudi Lawyer Handles It

Hire a Saudi real estate lawyer and grant a limited Power of Attorney. They can register a SIM card in your name locally, handle your Absher setup, and facilitate portal transactions on your behalf. Common for buyers purchasing in markets like NHC or Al Majidia where local legal help is advisable anyway.

Option C — Investor Visa SIM

If you apply for a Property Investor Visa, you receive a temporary investor ID that enables purchasing a Saudi SIM via the Nafath app, even before traveling.

Step 4 — Activate Your Digital ID (Biometrics)

Registration alone is not sufficient for property transactions. Your identity must be biometrically verified.

Outside Saudi Arabia — Saudi Embassy/Consulate

Most Saudi Embassies worldwide now offer biometric activation for international investors as part of the 2026 Vision 2030 initiative.

• Book an appointment at your nearest Saudi Embassy
• Bring: passport, Border Number, Absher registration confirmation
• Fingerprints are taken and linked to your account
• Process takes approximately 15–30 minutes once inside

Find your nearest Saudi Embassy: mofa.gov.sa

Inside Saudi Arabia — Self-Service Kiosks

If you travel to Saudi Arabia, Absher self-service kiosks are available at:

• Airports (Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, Dammam)
• Major malls (Al-Noor Mall and Rashid Mall in Medina, for example)
• Government service centres

Activation at a kiosk takes under 5 minutes.

Via Saudi Bank App (for Iqama Holders)

If you already have a Saudi bank account (Al Rajhi, SNB, etc.), you can link and activate your Absher account through the bank’s mobile app.

Step 5 — Register a National Address

As of January 1, 2026, all property owners (including foreigners) must have a registered National Address via Saudi Post (SPL).

• Register at splonline.com.sa or through the SPL app
• This can be done with your Absher account and links to your Digital ID
• Your National Address is required to receive your electronic title deed

Step 6 — Access the Saudi Properties Portal

Once your Absher account is active:

1. Go to aqar.rega.gov.sa
2. Log in with your Absher credentials (Nafath unified login)
3. Select “Request for Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership”
4. Enter the Property Deed Number (get this from the developer)
5. The geographic zone map shows you instantly whether the property is approved (Green) or restricted (Grey)

Never pay a deposit before completing this check.

Full Timeline for Remote Buyers

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Paying a deposit before portal verification — if the zone isn’t approved, you have no legal claim ❌ Using a data-only eSIM — you need SMS capability, not just internet ❌ Trusting a developer’s word on zone status — always verify independently on the portal ❌ Cash or private bank transfer payments — all legitimate transactions go through Wafi escrow accounts; anything else is illegal ❌ Waiting too long — affordable units in designated zones sell quickly

See Also

• Medina designated zones and KEC →
• KEC Medina complete guide →
• Designated zones explained →
• Step-by-step buying process →
• Costs and taxes →