Can my spouse and children have their own bank accounts, or a joint account with me?

Yes: SAMA's rules let banks open accounts for dependants whose iqama says they aren't authorised to work, allow joint accounts between expatriate spouses and first-degree relatives, and cover accounts for children under 15.

Spouses and other dependants

• Banks may open accounts for dependants whose iqamas show they are "not authorized to work".
• Separate provisions cover a dependant employed by a licensed educational institution, who needs an employment letter, a valid Ajeer notice and a copy of the institution's licence.

Joint accounts and authorisations

• Expatriates can't normally authorise others on their accounts or open joint accounts, with exceptions.
• The exceptions include expatriate spouses and first-degree expatriate relatives, and a female expatriate with a Saudi spouse, parent or child (and the same for male expatriates).
• Everyone on the account needs a valid iqama.

Children

• Accounts for minors under 15 are operated by the sponsoring expatriate parent.
• Chequebooks are withheld until the child turns 18.

Official sources

• SAMA Rulebook: Expatriates and Visitors in Saudi Arabia

On Saudi Expats: the guide to opening a bank account.

Checked September 2026. Banks may ask for extra documents under their own checks, so ask the branch before you go.

Opened accounts for your family? Share your experience below: which documents did the bank ask for?