How to extend your Saudi SIM card validity when you are outside the kingdom

If you have a prepaid STC SIM card (Sawa package) that is approaching expiry, and you want to keep your Saudi number active so that you can continue receiving SMS messages while living outside Saudi Arabia, this guide explains how to extend its validity.

The steps below apply to STC users only.

Step 1: Check Your Current Balance and Expiry dates

Send a text message containing 166 to 900, STC's customer service number.

You will receive a reply showing: your current credit balance, credit balance expiry date, and SIM service expiry date.

It is important to understand the difference between credit expiry and service expiry.

Understanding STC's validity rules

Based on my own testing, STC operates the following validity periods:

• 90-day credit expiry: Any recharged credit balance is valid for 90 days. Carrying out a paid activity, such as sending an SMS, making a call, purchasing a package or topping up (recharging) your balance, extends the credit validity by a further 90 days.

• 120-day service expiry: Your SIM service remains valid for 120 days after your last paid activity. This is one month beyond the 90-day credit validity period.

You may find websites stating that the SIM service validity is 180 days. This does not appear to be correct. I have personally tested the validity periods on my own STC SIM card and confirmed the dates.

Can you send SMS messages to 900 from outside Saudi Arabia?

Yes. You can send SMS messages to 900 free of charge, even if you do not have an active Sawa package. Sending a message to 900 does not require an active international roaming package, provided your phone is connected to a local mobile network with which STC has a roaming arrangement. STC has roaming agreements with almost every major carrier worldwide. 

I have personally tested this using my Saudi STC number while outside the Kingdom. Despite having no active sawa package, I was able to send messages to 900 and receive replies successfully.

Step 2: Recharge balance to extend its validity

The simplest way to extend your SIM card's validity is to top up your prepaid balance. You can do this directly through your Saudi bank's mobile banking app. The cheapest available recharge option is SAR 20.

Once the recharge is successful, you should receive an SMS notification from 900 confirming your updated balance and expiry dates:

• Credit balance validity: 90 days

• SIM service validity: 120 days

You can repeat this process every three months to keep your Saudi SIM card active, even when you are living abroad, provided you maintain sufficient money in your Saudi bank account.

Alternatively, you can also recharge your SIM card through the MySTC app by logging into your account and selecting the prepaid recharge option.

Both methods allow you to maintain your Saudi mobile number when you're outside the kingdom.

If you are living outside Saudi Arabia for an extended period and only need to retain your Saudi number to receive SMS messages (for example, banking OTP verification codes), a SAR 20 top-up every 3 months may be the most simple and cost-effective way to maintain your SIM service.

Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) in the UK

MVNO stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator.

An MVNO is a mobile provider that doesn't own its own mobile network. Instead, it buys access to one of the major networks and sells mobile services under its own brand.

Provider        Type        Underlying network

EE        Main network        EE

O2        Main network        O2

Vodafone    Main network    Vodafone

Three        Main network        Three

Lebara    MVNO        Vodafone

giffgaff    MVNO        O2

iD Mobile    MVNO    Three

MVNOs usually provide cheaper packages than main network operators.

Riyadh temperature by month

 

How to fix a hotspot that is not working on Moto E13

Apart from basic checks such as checking 

• Mobile Data is on and you can load web pages directly on the phone
• Hotspots is on
• Data Saver & Battery Saver are off 

If the hotspot is still not working, reset Network Settings:

Go to Settings > System > Reset options. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth and confirm. This refreshes all network drivers without deleting personal files. Restart your phone afterward. 

This resolved my hotspot issue on moto e13.

Higher education in Saudi and Saudi students in western universities funded by government scholarships

Since the 1940s, Saudi Arabia has funded large-scale government scholarships for students to study abroad, significantly expanded in 2005 under King Abdullah. For years, Western degrees were seen as a clear pathway to success, with tens of thousands of Saudis—many of them women—studying at leading universities in North America, Europe, and Australasia.

That dynamic is now shifting. Enrollment of Saudis studying abroad peaked at around 100,000 in 2019 and has since fallen sharply. Tighter scholarship policies, concerns about safety and immigration abroad, growing domestic opportunities, and a strong inward cultural turn linked to Vision 2030 are all reshaping student choices.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia faces the need to expand higher education capacity by around 40% by 2030. Domestic universities are gaining credibility, particularly in STEM and AI, while the government and private investors are actively exploring international branch campuses and global partnerships. Riyadh is positioning itself as a new regional education hub, with industry-linked, modern curricula increasingly valued over traditional markers of prestige such as Western degrees or English-language credentials.

Top Universities in Saudi Arabia

1.   King Saud University

in Riyadh, the first university established in Saudi Arabia and is known for its strong research output and academic programs

2.   King Abdulaziz University

in Jeddah, recognized for its diverse programs and contributions to research and development

3.   King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

A graduate research university located in Thuwal, KAUST is renowned for its focus on science and technology and international collaborations

4.   King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)

Located in Dhahran, this university specializes in engineering and applied sciences, particularly in the energy sector.

5.   Umm Al-Qura University

Situated in Mecca, it offers a range of programs and is known for its Islamic studies and community engagement.

6.   Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University

in Riyadh, focuses on Islamic studies and has a strong reputation in the field

7.   King Faisal University

in Al-Ahsa, offers various programs and is known for its research initiatives.

8.   King Khalid University

in Abha, provides a wide range of academic programs and has a growing reputation.

9.   Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

in Dammam, offers diverse programs and is known for its community involvement.

10.   Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University

The largest women's university in the world, located in Riyadh.

11.   Alfaisal University

Known for research excellence and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning across science, business, and humanities

12.   Prince Sultan University

A leading private Saudi university recognized for strong academic governance, industry collaboration, and a general education framework

13.   UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

a specialized institution with a focus on professional competency in business and technology

14.   EFFAT UNIVERSITY

A leading private university known for its strong liberal arts foundation and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning into creative and professional studies

15.   DAR AL HEKMA UNIVERSITY

a leading Saudi model emphasizing interdisciplinary learning, creativity, and alignment with national HE standards

Tips for Uber users to save money

Subscribe to Uber One

If you use Uber regularly for commuting, an Uber One membership can pay off. It costs 17 SAR/month (or 170 SAR/year) and I’m personally saving about 127 SAR every month. It’s definitely worth the 17 SAR membership fee. You can also start with a one-month free trial to see if it works for you.

Use Two Accounts (If You Have Two Phone Numbers)

If you have two mobile numbers, you can register a separate Uber account for each. This isn’t officially allowed by Uber, but it only works if you have two different numbers since your account is tied to your phone number. Doing this lets you enjoy the new user promotion (10% off) and the free Uber One trial twice.

Try “Wait & Save” When You’re Not in a Hurry

When you’re flexible with pick-up time (for example, when returning from work), choose “Book for now” instead of scheduling a future ride in advance. This gives you access to the “Wait & Save” option, which is usually cheaper than pre-booking.

Compare Prices When Booking in Advance

If you need to schedule your ride, check fares across a 30-minute window. Sometimes even a 1-minute difference in pick-up time can save you several riyals.

Booking rides in off-peak time

Whether you book for now or for later, try not book in peak time, eg. in evenings book after 7:30pm. I pre-booked a ride for 8:30pm, if I book it around 5pm the price is much higher than booking after 7:30pm.

Confirm when you see a low price 

If you use Uber for commuting and see a price which is lower than usual, confirm it immediately. If you hesitate, the price will likely go up quickly to the normal range.

Book in advance for peak hours

Uber fares are usually much higher during Monday morning rush hours and Friday evening rush hours. Book in advance if you travel during these periods. Don't rely on Wait & Save function for these periods.

Know How to Dispute a Charge

On rare occasions, you might be charged if the driver doesn’t show up (it happened to me once, someone else took my ride!). If that occurs to you, go to the “Help” section in the app to dispute the charge and request a refund. It helps to collect any evidence you can.

Li-po battery charging tips

avoid charging above 80% and discharging below 20% to maximize battery lifespan. While they can be charged to 100% and discharged to 0%, doing so puts stress on the battery and can accelerate capacity loss. 

Storing a LiPo battery around 40–50% charge is ideal for long-term storage, as high states of charge and high temperatures increase self-discharge and degradation.

Charging Guidelines

Avoid 100% Full Charges Regularly: Regularly charging to 100% creates high voltage stress, which degrades the battery faster. 

Consider an 80% Limit: A common recommendation is to charge your battery to around 80% if you don't need full runtime. 

Consider a 20-80% Range: For general use, keeping the battery between 20% and 80% State of Charge is a healthy range. 

Discharging Guidelines

Avoid Deep Discharges: Discharging the battery to 0% also creates stress and leads to more rapid capacity loss. 

Consider a 20% Limit: Do not let your battery discharge too far below 20%. 

Monitor Voltage and Temperature: These factors influence the battery's overall performance and longevity, so it's good to be aware of them. 

Storage Guidelines

Store at Reduced Charge:

For long-term storage, a LiPo battery should be stored at a moderate temperature and a reduced charge of around 3.8V to 4.0V per cell, which is roughly 40-50% capacity. 

Avoid Hot Environments:

High temperatures accelerate self-discharge and can degrade the battery faster. 

By following these guidelines, you can significantly prolong the life and preserve the performance of your LiPo batteries.