A mortgage for expats in Saudi Arabia is possible, but eligibility depends heavily on residency status, income, credit profile, bank policy and the property itself.
Resident expats have the clearest route. Saudi banks now advertise dedicated real estate finance products for non-Saudi residents, including ready and off-plan homes. Non-residents face a different situation: Saudi Arabia now allows eligible non-residents to own property, but that does not automatically mean a Saudi bank will provide them with a mortgage.
For some buyers, a bank mortgage will work. For others, developer payment plans may provide another way to spread the purchase cost.
Can Expats Get a Mortgage in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Some Saudi banks provide home finance specifically for non-Saudi residents. Current examples include Saudi National Bank and Al Rajhi Bank.
Al Rajhi Bank also advertises dedicated Expat Home Finance, with Shariah-compliant financing, terms of up to 20 years and financing of up to SAR 5 million on its dedicated expat product page.
The key point is that there is no single national mortgage rule that guarantees financing to every expatriate. Banks make their own credit and eligibility decisions.
Mortgage for Expats in Saudi Arabia: Current Examples
| Finance Feature | Saudi National Bank | Al Rajhi Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible customer | Non-Saudi residents | Expat customers with regular or Premium Residency |
| Property type | Ready or approved off-plan unit | Multiple real estate types |
| Maximum finance | Up to SAR 3 million | Confirm current limit directly with the bank |
| Finance structure | Murabaha | Shariah-compliant finance |
| Finance period | Subject to bank terms | Up to 20 years |
| Down payment | 30% | Subject to bank assessment |
| Salary requirement | SAR 10,000 for GCC customers / SAR 19,000 for other nationalities | Subject to product and credit assessment |
Bank products and eligibility can change. Always confirm current terms directly with the lender before making a property commitment.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for an Expat Home Loan?
There is no universal checklist, but lenders commonly assess several factors.
These can include:
- Residency status
- Age
- Monthly salary
- Employer and employment history
- Salary transfer
- SIMAH credit history
- Existing debt obligations
- Down payment
- Property type and location
- Bank valuation of the property
For example, SNB currently requires non-Saudi residential-finance applicants to be aged 25 to 60, be payroll customers and provide a 30% down payment. It also states a minimum SIMAH score of 590.
Al Rajhi’s expat product covers customers with regular or Premium Residency, with additional approval requirements applying to regular residency customers.
This is why two expats earning the same salary may receive different financing offers.
Can Non-Residents Get a Mortgage in Saudi Arabia?
This is where buyers need to separate property ownership from property finance.
Saudi Arabia’s updated non-Saudi ownership system entered into force on 22 January 2026. It allows eligible non-residents to own property within approved geographical areas. Non-residents can begin the ownership process through Saudi representations abroad and obtain the required digital identity.
The implementing regulations also require a non-resident buyer to obtain a digital identity, open a Saudi bank account and obtain a Saudi mobile number before acquiring property.
SAMA subsequently updated bank-account rules in July 2026 to enable qualifying non-resident property buyers to access Saudi banking services. But this does not mean a non-resident mortgage is automatically available.
Most publicly advertised expat mortgage products I found are designed around Saudi residents, Premium Residency holders or customers with established Saudi banking and employment relationships.
So the safest answer is: Non-residents may now be able to own Saudi property, but mortgage availability remains lender-specific and should be confirmed before committing to a purchase.
Can Premium Residency Holders Get Property Finance?
Premium Residency can strengthen the available financing routes.
Some current bank products specifically include Premium Residency holders. Al Rajhi’s expat home finance covers both regular and Premium Residency customers, while some Riyad Bank developer-linked mortgage programmes state that they are available to Saudis and Premium Residency holders.
Expats interested in buying during the construction stage can also read Bayut-KSA’s guide to off-plan property in Saudi Arabia to understand how off-plan purchases work, what buyers should check and how these projects differ from ready properties.
Are Developer Payment Plans an Alternative to a Mortgage?
Yes, in some projects.
A developer payment plan can allow a buyer to pay for an off-plan property through staged instalments instead of funding the entire purchase through a traditional mortgage.
Terms vary by project. Buyers should therefore look at:
- Reservation payment
- Initial deposit
- Construction-linked instalments
- Payment due at handover
- Whether later bank financing is required
- Cancellation and refund terms
Saudi off-plan projects operate under REGA’s regulated off-plan sales framework. Licensed projects must use project escrow accounts, and buyer funds deposited into those accounts are subject to controls on how developers can use them.
REGA also states that during the project marketing stage, reservation amounts collected by a developer cannot exceed 5% of the unit value and must be deposited into the designated escrow account.
A payment plan can therefore be useful, but it should not be treated as automatically better or cheaper than a mortgage.
Should Expats Choose a Mortgage or Developer Payment Plan?
- It depends on the buyer. A mortgage may suit you if you have stable Saudi income, meet bank eligibility requirements and want a longer repayment period.
- A developer payment plan may suit you if you are buying off-plan, can meet staged instalments and want to reduce reliance on traditional bank financing.
- Some buyers may use both. An off-plan payment schedule may cover the construction period, followed by bank finance for the remaining balance if the project and buyer qualify.
Never assume future mortgage approval when signing an off-plan contract. Confirm the financing structure first.
How Should Expats Prepare Before Applying?
Before applying for an expat home loan, check four things:
- Can you legally own the chosen property?
- Does the bank finance your residency and employment profile?
- How much cash is required for the down payment and transaction costs?
- Does the property itself meet the lender’s criteria?
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ownership framework has changed significantly in 2026, but ownership rules still depend on buyer type and location.
For that reason, property selection and financing should be considered together rather than separately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mortgages for Expats in Saudi Arabia
Can an Expat Get a Home Loan in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Some Saudi banks offer dedicated real estate finance to non-Saudi residents, subject to income, residency, credit and property requirements.
How Much Down Payment Does an Expat Need in Saudi Arabia?
It depends on the lender. SNB currently specifies a 30% down payment for its non-Saudi residential finance product. Other lenders may apply different requirements.
Can a Non-Resident Buy Property With a Mortgage in Saudi Arabia?
Non-residents can now qualify to own property under the 2026 foreign ownership framework, but mortgage access is separate and remains dependent on individual bank policy.
Are Saudi Mortgages Shariah-Compliant?
Many Saudi home-finance products are structured using Shariah-compliant models such as Murabaha or other Islamic financing structures. SNB and Al Rajhi both advertise Shariah-based real estate finance.
Can Expats Finance Off-Plan Property?
Yes, depending on the bank and project. SNB explicitly states that its non-Saudi residential finance can cover approved off-plan units, while Al Rajhi also advertises an off-plan finance product open to Saudi and resident customers.
