How to open and verify your STC Pay account as a Gulf-based player
This page walks you through creating your STC Pay (or STC Bank) account, completing verification and configuring basic security settings so your wallet is ready for everyday payments and international online services.
Basic requirements before you start
Before you create an account, make sure you have the following ready. Missing any of these is one of the most common reasons for delays or failed sign-ups:
- Active Saudi mobile number registered in your own name.
- Valid national ID or Iqama linked to your personal details in local government systems.
- Stable internet connection to download the app and complete verification.
- Personal email address if you want to receive extra notifications.
If you live in another GCC country but still use a Saudi number, some features may be limited. Always double-check what is available inside your app.
Download the app and create a new account
Step one: get the official app from the right store
-
1
Open the app store on your phone
On iPhone, go to the App Store. On Android, open Google Play. Search for STC Pay or STC Bank and make sure the publisher is the official STC entity.
-
2
Install and choose “New user”
Once installed, open the app and select “New user” or “Open a new account”. Enter your Saudi mobile number and wait for the one-time password (OTP) via SMS.
-
3
Fill in your basic details
The app will ask for your full name, national ID or Iqama number, date of birth and other personal data. Make sure everything matches your official records exactly to avoid problems during verification.
Complete identity verification (KYC)
After entering your basic info, you need to complete KYC verification so that STC Pay can unlock higher limits and full access to transfers and online payments.
-
1
Link your account to your national ID
In most cases, the app pulls your data automatically via integrated government systems. Make sure your ID is valid and your mobile number is properly registered under your name.
-
2
Review and accept the terms
Carefully review the key terms related to limits, allowed use and fees. If you are comfortable with them, accept and confirm to complete verification.
After successful KYC, your wallet and transfer limits usually increase. If your limits still seem low, check our STC Pay fees & limits guide (EN).
Set up a secure PIN and app protection
Your STC Pay account may eventually hold meaningful amounts of money, so it’s important to lock it down from day one:
- Choose a strong PIN that’s hard to guess. Avoid birthdays, repeating digits or simple patterns.
- Enable fingerprint or face recognition if your device supports it.
- Turn on push notifications so you see every payment, transfer or top-up in real time.
Do a small first top-up and test transaction
Once registration and verification are done, it’s smart to run a small test to make sure everything works properly before relying on STC Pay for bigger deposits or international payments:
-
1
Top up your wallet with a small amount
Use a local bank transfer or Mada/debit card to add a test amount (for example 50–100 SAR). Watch how long it takes and how the balance appears in the app.
-
2
Try a simple local payment
Make a small payment – for example a local bill or a tiny transfer to a friend who also uses STC Pay. The goal is to confirm that your account is fully active and notifications work correctly.
Once you’re confident everything works, you can move on to using virtual cards and international payments. We cover that in detail in the STC Pay virtual card guide (EN).