STC Roaming Packages 2026: Prices, Activation Codes and Country Coverage

Quick Answer

STC offers three main roaming options in 2026:

1. Quicknet Roaming (data-only add-on): 20 GB worldwide for SAR 287.50 per week (send 6517 to 900), or 50 GB for SAR 517.50 per month (send 6519 to 900).

2. GCC Roaming Package (calls + data): Unlimited calls within the Gulf and to Saudi Arabia plus unlimited data while in UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, or Oman. Available for 3 days or 7 days. Activate via mySTC App or by calling 900.

3. Roaming built into Mofawtar postpaid: Mofawtar Flex includes 1,500 international minutes and 2 GB roaming data. Mofawtar 4 includes 100 roaming call minutes. Mofawtar Max includes unlimited roaming calls and data in 40+ countries.

Standard pay-as-you-go rate without a package: SAR 1.03 per minute for outgoing calls while roaming, plus per-MB data charges. Always activate a roaming package before traveling to avoid unexpected charges.

Understanding STC Roaming in 2026

STC has one of the widest international roaming footprints among Gulf carriers, covering over 200 countries and territories. Whether you are visiting family in Pakistan, on a business trip to the UK, attending a conference in the US, or heading to Dubai for a weekend, your STC SIM can stay active and connected throughout.

Roaming on STC works in two modes:

Pay-as-you-go: Your STC SIM connects to a partner network abroad automatically. Outgoing calls cost SAR 1.03 per minute, both for calls within the destination country and for calls back to Saudi Arabia. Incoming calls are free. Data is charged per MB at rates that vary by country and can be expensive without a package. This mode is suitable only for very brief, low-usage trips.

Roaming package: You purchase a dedicated roaming bundle before or during travel that gives you a set data allowance and, for GCC packages, unlimited calls at a flat price. This is the right choice for any trip longer than a few hours and for anyone making or receiving regular calls.

This guide covers every current roaming option from STC in 2026 in full detail, with verified prices, activation codes, and tips for getting the most from your connection abroad.

How to Activate STC Roaming

Roaming activation is quick and can be done before departure or after landing abroad.

Method 1: mySTC App (Recommended)

1. Open the mySTC app on your phone
2. Tap Roaming from the main menu or search for it in the services section
3. Browse available roaming packages filtered by destination or package type
4. Select your package and tap Subscribe
5. Confirm payment
6. Roaming is activated immediately, and a confirmation SMS is sent

Method 2: SMS to 900 Send the package activation code as a text message to 900. Specific codes are listed in the package tables below. Confirmation arrives by SMS within 30 seconds.

Method 3: USSD *150# Dial *150# from your STC SIM and navigate to Roaming Services in the menu. This works without internet access.

Method 4: Call 900 Call 900 (free from STC) and ask the agent or use the automated IVR to activate your roaming package before departure.

Method 5: stc.com.sa Log in to your STC account, go to Services, then Roaming, and activate your preferred package.

Pro tip: Activate your roaming package while still in Saudi Arabia so your phone connects automatically to a partner network the moment you land. If you activate after landing, there may be a short delay before the package takes effect.

Part 1: Quicknet Roaming Packages (Data-Only, Worldwide)

The Quicknet Roaming packages are STC’s dedicated international data bundles. They provide a fixed data allowance usable in countries across the globe and can be added on top of any existing STC prepaid or postpaid plan.

No Fair Use Policy (FUP): There is no throttling or fair use speed reduction within the included data allowance on Quicknet Roaming packages. The full data quota runs at available local partner network speeds until the allowance is fully consumed.

After the data allowance is used: Once the 20 GB or 50 GB is consumed, standard pay-as-you-go data rates apply unless you purchase an additional package.

Renewing while abroad: You can renew or purchase a new Quicknet Roaming package at any time while you are already abroad using the mySTC app over any Wi-Fi connection, or by sending the activation SMS to 900.

Countries covered: Near-global coverage across 200+ countries. The list includes the USA (AT&T network), the UK, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Germany, France, Australia, China, and the majority of countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Confirm your specific destination at stc.com.sa before traveling.

VoLTE note for US travel: For voice calls while roaming in the United States via AT&T’s network, you must enable the VoLTE (Voice over LTE) setting on your device before departure. This is required specifically for the USA and a small number of other markets.

Part 2: GCC Roaming Packages (Calls + Data in Gulf Countries)

The GCC roaming packages are purpose-built for travel within the Arabian Gulf region: UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. They provide unlimited calls both within the destination country and back to Saudi Arabia, plus unlimited internet data while roaming.

What is and is not included: GCC packages cover calls within the Gulf country you are visiting, calls back to Saudi Arabia, unlimited data, and unlimited incoming calls. International calls to countries outside the Gulf and Saudi Arabia, and SMS, are not included and are charged at standard roaming rates.

Activating the GCC package: Use the mySTC app under Roaming, or call 900 before or after departure. The package is a one-time payment and does not auto-renew.

Best for: Weekend trips to Dubai, business travel to Abu Dhabi or Doha, family visits in Kuwait, or short vacations across the Gulf.

Part 3: International Call Roaming (Standard Pay-as-You-Go Rates)

For customers traveling without a dedicated data or GCC package, STC’s standard international roaming rates apply:

Scholarship country receiving calls service: For STC customers studying or living abroad under scholarship programs, a dedicated service allows unlimited incoming calls in supported scholarship countries for a flat SAR 34.50 per month. This is activated via 900 or the mySTC app.

Part 4: Roaming Built into Mofawtar Postpaid Plans

For postpaid customers on Mofawtar plans, roaming is built into the plan at higher tiers without needing a separate add-on package.

Mofawtar Flex is the entry point for built-in roaming: the 1,500 international minutes cover calls from Saudi Arabia to overseas destinations and also function as roaming voice minutes when traveling. The 2 GB roaming data covers browsing and messaging abroad without needing a separate package.

Mofawtar 4 includes 100 dedicated roaming call minutes and roaming data in over 40 countries. No FUP for single-SIM holders on data while in Saudi Arabia; roaming data has country-specific allocation.

Mofawtar Max is STC’s unlimited roaming tier: unlimited data and calls while roaming in 40+ countries, eliminating all roaming charges for heavy international travelers. Also includes unlimited data within Saudi Arabia at full 5G speed with no FUP, plus a free STC TV subscription.

Roaming countries for Mofawtar 4 and Max: The full list is available on the Mofawtar postpaid page at stc.com.sa. It includes the UAE, the UK, the USA, Germany, France, Turkey, Egypt, India, and other major destinations.

Part 5: STC Roaming for Prepaid (Sawa) Customers

STC prepaid Sawa customers can add roaming capability as an add-on without switching to postpaid. The Quicknet Roaming packages (weekly SAR 287.50 or monthly SAR 517.50) are fully available to prepaid users.

Prerequisites for prepaid roaming:

• Sufficient balance in your Sawa account to cover the roaming package cost before activation
• International roaming must be enabled on your STC account (it is active by default on most Sawa accounts, but can be verified via 900 or the mySTC app)

Activating prepaid roaming data: Send 6517 to 900 for the weekly 20 GB package (SAR 287.50), or 6519 to 900 for the monthly 50 GB package (SAR 517.50). Confirm you have sufficient balance before sending.

Checking data balance while roaming: Send 2220 to 900, or open the mySTC app and check the Dashboard. The app works over Wi-Fi if your roaming data is exhausted.

How to Choose the Right STC Roaming Package

Phone Setup: Before You Travel

Getting your STC SIM roaming to work properly requires a few phone-side settings, in addition to activating the STC package.

Enable data roaming: On Android, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming, then toggle on. On iPhone: Settings, Mobile Data (or Cellular), Data Roaming, toggle on.

Enable VoLTE (for US travel only): On iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Voice and Data, then select LTE with VoLTE enabled. On Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > VoLTE Calls: toggle on. This setting is required for voice calls via AT&T’s network when roaming in the USA.

Set network to automatic: On Android, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Operators, Then Select Automatically. On iPhone: Settings, Carrier, Automatic on. This lets your STC SIM find the best available partner network in each country automatically.

Manual network selection (when to use it): STC has preferred partner networks in each country that offer the best rates and service quality under your roaming package. If automatic selection connects you to a non-preferred network with a poor signal, manually select the STC-preferred partner. Check stc.com.sa for the recommended network in your specific destination country.

Restart after landing: After your phone detects a new foreign network, restart the device to ensure the roaming connection initializes properly.

Countries Covered by STC Roaming

STC’s roaming network covers 200+ countries. Key destinations commonly traveled by Saudi Arabian residents include:

GCC (covered by GCC package and Quicknet Roaming): UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman

Middle East and North Africa: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Turkey, Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya

South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives

Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore

East Asia: China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea

Europe: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary

Americas: USA (AT&T), Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina

Africa: Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania

Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

For the complete, up-to-date list of specific partner networks in each country, visit stc.com.sa under Roaming, then Roaming Prices, then Roaming Outside the Kingdom.

Troubleshooting STC Roaming Problems

Roaming not working after landing: Check that data roaming is enabled in your phone settings. Restart your device. Check the network operator selected in settings; try switching to automatic or manually selecting the STC preferred network for that country.

Calls connecting but data not working: Confirm the Quicknet Roaming package is active by sending 2220 to 900 or checking the mySTC app. If the package is active but data still does not work, check the APN settings. STC’s default APN (stcm) may need to be entered manually on some devices when abroad. APN: stcm, leave all other fields blank.

The package shows active, but the phone shows no signal: Move to an area with better coverage. In some countries, your device may need to be manually connected to the STC partner network. Go to Settings, Mobile Networks, Network Operators, and select the recommended partner manually.

Balance depleted faster than expected: Roaming charges apply at all times the phone is connected to a foreign network, even for background app activity. Turn off background data refresh for apps you do not need while roaming. Use Wi-Fi where available.

mySTC app not working abroad: Use any available Wi-Fi. The mySTC app works on Wi-Fi regardless of your SIM’s roaming status. If Wi-Fi is not available, the app also works over your Quicknet Roaming data allowance if active.

Cannot make calls in the USA: Enable VoLTE on your device before or after departure. Without VoLTE enabled, voice calls may not connect via AT&T’s network, even with an active roaming package.

STC Roaming vs eSIM vs International SIM: Which Should You Use?

When STC roaming beats an eSIM: You keep your existing Saudi phone number active for receiving calls and SMS, including Absher OTPs and bank verification codes. International eSIMs are data-only and cannot receive Saudi SMS.

When an eSIM might be better: For data-heavy travel on a tight budget, international eSIM providers like Airalo can be cheaper than SAR 287.50 for a week if you only need data and have no requirement to keep your Saudi number active.

All STC Roaming Codes at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I activate STC roaming from Saudi Arabia in 2026? Open the mySTC app, go to Roaming, select your package, and subscribe. Alternatively, send the activation code to 900 (for example, send 6517 to 900 for the Quicknet Roaming 20 GB weekly package at SAR 287.50). You can also call 900 free from your STC SIM and ask an agent or the IVR to activate roaming.

Q: What is the cheapest STC roaming package in 2026? The entry-level roaming option is the Quicknet Roaming Weekly at SAR 287.50 for 20 GB valid for 7 days worldwide. For GCC travel specifically, GCC packages provide better value as they include unlimited calls plus unlimited data for either 3 or 7 days. Confirm current GCC package pricing at stc.com.sa.

Q: Does STC work in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman? Yes. All GCC countries are covered by both the dedicated GCC Roaming Packages (unlimited calls + data for 3 or 7 days) and the global Quicknet Roaming packages (data-only). GCC packages are the recommended option for Gulf travel as they include unlimited calls back to Saudi Arabia at no extra per-minute charge.

Q: How do I check my data balance while roaming? Send 2220 to 900 for an SMS summary of your remaining data. You can also open the mySTC app on any Wi-Fi connection to check your usage dashboard without consuming your roaming data allowance.

Q: Does STC roaming work in the USA? Yes. STC roams via AT&T’s network in the United States. To make voice calls (not just data), you must enable VoLTE on your device before traveling. Without VoLTE, data works, but voice calls may not connect in the US.

Q: Can I use my STC prepaid SIM for roaming? Yes. STC prepaid (Sawa) customers can activate the Quicknet Roaming packages (SAR 287.50 for 7 days or SAR 517.50 for 30 days) by sending the code to 900. Ensure you have a sufficient balance in your account before activating.

Q: Is roaming included in my Mofawtar postpaid plan? It depends on your Mofawtar tier. Mofawtar Flex (SAR 345/month) includes 1,500 international minutes and 2 GB roaming data. Mofawtar 4 (SAR 517.50/month) includes 100 roaming call minutes and roaming data in 40+ countries. Mofawtar Max (SAR 575/month) includes unlimited roaming calls and data in 40+ countries. Mofawtar tiers below Flex have no built-in roaming and require a separate add-on package.

Q: What are STC’s pay-as-you-go roaming call rates? Outgoing calls while roaming cost SAR 1.03 per minute, both for calls within the country you are visiting and for calls back to Saudi Arabia. Incoming calls are free (unlimited receiving) while roaming.

Q: How many countries does STC roaming cover? STC roaming covers 200+ countries and territories, including nearly all major destinations in Europe, North America, Asia, the Gulf, Africa, and Oceania.

Q: Can I activate an STC roaming package after landing abroad? Yes. You can activate roaming packages from abroad using the mySTC app over Wi-Fi, by calling 900, or by sending the SMS code to 900 from your STC SIM once it connects to a partner network. However, activating before departure ensures immediate connectivity on arrival.

Summary

STC’s roaming lineup in 2026 covers every type of traveler from Saudi Arabia: the weekend GCC visitor who needs unlimited Gulf calls and data, the business traveler who needs 20 GB globally for a week, the frequent international traveler on Mofawtar Max who never wants to think about roaming charges again, and the prepaid user who wants a clean one-time data add-on before a trip.

The two most important things to do before any international trip on STC:

First, activate your roaming package before you board. Either send the activation code to 900 or use the mySTC app. Do not rely on activating after landing to avoid connectivity gaps.

Second, enable data roaming in your phone settings and, for US travel, enable VoLTE. These are device-level settings that STC cannot control remotely.

For everything else, the mySTC app handles package management, balance checks, and renewals from anywhere in the world over Wi-Fi.

Related guides on Saudi Scoop:

• STC Postpaid Plans Saudi Arabia 2026 for Mofawtar plans with built-in roaming
• How to Buy a SIM Card in Saudi Arabia 2026 for SIM registration on arrival
• Visitor SIM Card Packages Saudi Arabia 2026 for inbound visitors needing connectivity in KSA

DISCLAIMER: Roaming package prices, coverage, activation codes, and terms are subject to change by STC at any time. All prices include 15% VAT. Saudi Scoop is not affiliated with STC. Always verify current packages at stc.com.sa or via the mySTC app before traveling.

Soha

I’m Soha Owais, a law graduate with an LLB (Hons), blending my legal background with a passion for storytelling. As an author and writer at Saudiscoop.com, I craft engaging narratives that connect with both local and international audiences, bringing a fresh and informed perspective to the stories that matter.