Quick answer
Yes. WhatsApp voice and video calls are allowed in Saudi Arabia. The restrictions on internet calling apps were lifted in September 2017. On a TripoSIM travel eSIM, WhatsApp calls work normally in Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, with no VPN needed. Messages, voice notes and photos work everywhere too.
If you are heading to the Kingdom for Umrah, Hajj, business or tourism, staying in touch with your family matters. The good news: calling home over WhatsApp is easy in Saudi Arabia today. Here is the full, up-to-date picture, plus a few tips that make calls clearer in busy places.
Key facts
- Saudi Arabia lifted its restrictions on internet calling apps in September 2017. WhatsApp voice and video calls are allowed.
- WhatsApp calls work normally on a TripoSIM travel eSIM in Saudi Arabia, with no VPN needed.
- FaceTime calls generally work in Saudi Arabia as well.
- WhatsApp messages, voice notes, photos and videos work on every network.
- TripoSIM eSIMs are data-only: calls go through apps over data, and you keep your own number on your home SIM.
- The plan starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in Saudi Arabia, not when you buy it.
What changed, and what is allowed today
For years, many visitors heard that "WhatsApp calls do not work in Saudi Arabia". That used to be true. Before 2017, the call feature in apps like WhatsApp was often blocked on local networks. In September 2017, Saudi Arabia lifted those restrictions, and internet calling apps that meet the local rules became available.
Today, that means:
- WhatsApp voice and video calls: allowed, and they work on TripoSIM.
- FaceTime: generally works.
- Messages, voice notes and media: always work.
You may still read old forum posts saying calls are blocked. They describe the situation before 2017. If a call fails today, the usual cause is a weak or busy network, not a ban (see the tips below).
Why a travel eSIM is still the easy choice
If calls are allowed anyway, why bring a travel eSIM? Because it saves time and money:
- You land connected. No queue at an airport shop and no SIM registration with your passport after a long flight.
- No roaming shock. Your home carrier's roaming can be very expensive. A travel eSIM is prepaid, so you know the cost before you go.
- You keep your own number. Your home SIM stays in your phone for your number and bank codes. The eSIM only adds data.
- Calls just work. A TripoSIM eSIM connects as an international roaming connection, and WhatsApp calls work normally on it, with no VPN and no extra app.
The reliable fallbacks
Even with calls allowed, it is smart to have a plan B for crowded places and important calls:
- Voice notes. When the network is very busy, a voice note often gets through faster than a live call.
- Hotel Wi-Fi. Calls are allowed on Saudi Wi-Fi too, so hotel Wi-Fi is a good option for long video calls in the evening.
- Keep your home number reachable. Your normal SIM stays in your phone. TripoSIM HomeLink can forward calls from your home number to the TripoSIM app over data, for selected home countries; check the HomeLink page for your country before relying on it.
Your options at a glance
| Option | WhatsApp calls | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Local Saudi SIM | Work | Needs registration with your passport at a shop |
| Hotel Wi-Fi | Work | Speed depends on the hotel, often busy at night |
| Your home carrier's roaming | Usually work | Can be very expensive, so check your carrier's rates |
| TripoSIM travel eSIM | Work, no VPN needed | Install before you fly; data-only, calls go through apps |
Coverage is excellent
Saudi Arabia's networks, STC, Mobily and Zain, offer strong 4G and 5G across Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Coverage along the main highways is good, with weaker spots in remote desert areas. You can check which networks travel eSIMs use in Saudi Arabia, and where 5G is available, on our travel eSIM network map.
In very crowded places, such as around the Haram in Makkah during peak prayer times, in Ramadan or during Hajj, any network can slow down because so many people use it at once. That is normal and affects local SIMs too. Messages and voice notes usually still go through; try live calls a little later or from your hotel.
How much data do calls use?
TripoSIM eSIMs are data-only, so every call uses data. These are rough estimates:
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- WhatsApp voice call: about 0.5–1.5 MB per minute (roughly 30–90 MB per hour).
- WhatsApp or FaceTime video call: about 5–15 MB per minute (roughly 300–900 MB per hour).
If you plan a daily video call home, add about 0.5–1 GB per day to your plan. The free Data Calculator can help you choose.
Set it up before you fly
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked on our compatibility page.
- Buy your Saudi Arabia eSIM and install it at home on Wi-Fi by scanning the QR code.
- Keep your home SIM in the phone for your number and bank codes, and turn off data roaming on it.
- When you land, turn on the TripoSIM eSIM and set it as your mobile data line. The plan starts when it first connects to a network in Saudi Arabia.
- Open WhatsApp and call home as usual, with no VPN needed.
Travelling through Dubai or the UAE?
Many flights to Saudi Arabia connect through the UAE. Be aware that the rules there are different: WhatsApp and FaceTime calls are blocked on local UAE SIMs and Wi-Fi, including airport Wi-Fi. On a TripoSIM eSIM that covers the UAE, calls work there too, with no VPN, which we tested in Dubai in October 2026. Read eSIM for Dubai and the UAE: will WhatsApp and FaceTime calls work? and do you need a VPN to make WhatsApp calls in Dubai?
Going for Umrah or Hajj? Our guide to calling family during Umrah and Hajj covers Makkah, Madinah, crowds and group tips. For other countries, see where WhatsApp and FaceTime calls are blocked.
Frequently asked questions
Are WhatsApp calls allowed in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Saudi Arabia lifted its restrictions on internet calling apps in September 2017, and WhatsApp voice and video calls are allowed. They work normally on a TripoSIM travel eSIM.
Do I need a VPN for WhatsApp calls in Saudi Arabia?
No. WhatsApp calls work in Saudi Arabia without a VPN, on TripoSIM and on local networks.
Does FaceTime work in Saudi Arabia?
FaceTime calls generally work in Saudi Arabia. As with any app call, quality depends on how strong and how busy the network is where you are.
Why does my WhatsApp call drop near the Haram?
At peak times, huge crowds share the same networks, so every network can slow down. Send a voice note, try again a little later, or call from your hotel.
Can I keep my own number while using a TripoSIM eSIM in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The eSIM is data-only and sits alongside your normal SIM. Your WhatsApp account stays on your own number, and you can still receive bank codes on your home SIM if your carrier allows SMS abroad.
When does my Saudi eSIM plan start?
The plan starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in Saudi Arabia, not when you buy or install it. You can safely install it at home a few days before your flight.
How much data do I need for a week in Saudi Arabia?
For maps, messages and a few short calls, 3–5 GB is usually enough. With a daily video call home, 5–10 GB is safer. Use the Data Calculator for a personal estimate.
Is WhatsApp available in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. WhatsApp messages, voice notes and voice and video calls all work in Saudi Arabia. The restrictions on internet calling apps were lifted in September 2017.
Does WhatsApp work in Riyadh and Jeddah?
Yes. WhatsApp works across Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah. If a call drops, the usual cause is a weak or crowded network, not a block.
Sources
Checked on 23 October 2026:
- Fortune: Saudi Arabia is lifting its ban on internet calls (September 2017)
- Engadget: Saudi Arabia lifts ban on messaging apps like Skype (September 2017)
What is the best eSIM for Saudi Arabia?
The best eSIM for Saudi Arabia is the plan that fits how much data you use and runs on a strong local network. For a typical trip, 5 GB for 30 days costs $10.50. If you stream, work online or share a hotspot, Unlimited costs $27.99 for 15 days. TripoSIM plans for Saudi Arabia start at $2.50, run on Zain, Mobily, STC, and the days only start counting when the eSIM first connects in Saudi Arabia, so you can install it before you fly.
| Your trip | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| About a week of light use (maps, messages) | 1 GB for 7 days | $2.50 |
| 1–2 weeks of everyday use | 5 GB for 30 days | $10.50 |
| Heavy use, video calls or a long stay | 19.5 GB for 30 days | $31.00 |
| Streaming, hotspot or remote work | Unlimited for 15 days (1000 MB a day at full speed, then slower) | $27.99 |
Live prices in US dollars, checked November 15, 2026. 19 plans for Saudi Arabia are available. See all Saudi Arabia plans →
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Works on: Zain Saudi Arabia, Mobily
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