العربية
To check a hotel or apartment licence in Saudi Arabia, open the Ministry of Tourism’s free Licensed Activities Inquiry service at mt.gov.sa, choose “Tourism Accommodation”, type the property’s name (and city or licence number if you have them) and press search. A licensed property shows an active status, its licence number, classification and expiry date. If the property does not appear, the name or city does not match, or the licence expires before your stay ends, ask questions before you pay.
Booking a stay in Saudi Arabia is easier than ever. Hotels, serviced apartments and private holiday homes all appear side by side on booking sites, social media and messaging apps. Most are run properly. Some are not licensed at all, and guests only find out when something goes wrong.
Checking a licence takes about two minutes and needs no login. This guide shows you exactly how to do it, how to read the results and which warning signs to watch for. It is written by the team at Best Trip Hotels, a Jeddah hospitality company that has run hotels and serviced apartments since 2021, and it reflects the questions careful guests ask us before they book.
Why a Licence Matters to You as a Guest
A tourism licence is not just paperwork for the owner. It decides what protections you have during your stay.
Licensed properties are inspected by the Ministry of Tourism and must follow its accommodation rules. They have to verify every guest’s ID, register stays through the Ministry of Interior’s Shomoos system, show prices in Arabic and English with taxes listed, and accept card payments. If something goes wrong, you can complain to the Unified Tourism Call Center on 930 and the Ministry can act.
This applies to hotels and to serviced apartments alike. If you are not sure what a serviced apartment is, our explainer on what is a serviced apartment covers the category and what a licensed one includes.
An unlicensed rental gives you none of that. There may be no inspection of safety equipment, no clear price list, no official complaints route and no guarantee the unit even matches the photos. The Ministry has warned that violators can face fines of up to SAR 1 million, closure or both, as Arabian Business reported in December 2024, and since 1 January 2025 booking platforms have been told to remove unlicensed properties from their listings.
Step by Step: Using the Ministry of Tourism Lookup
The official tool is the Licensed Activities Inquiry service on the Ministry of Tourism website. The Ministry itself has shared the link as mt.gov.sa/e-services/forms/licensed-activities-inquiry, and the same service is listed on the national my.gov.sa platform.
- Get the exact property name. Ask the seller for the name in writing, in English and ideally in Arabic too. A vague description such as “apartment near the Corniche” is not enough.
- Open the inquiry page on mt.gov.sa and switch the language to English if needed.
- Choose the activity type. Select “Tourism Accommodation” under service activity.
- Enter the facility name. This is the main field. Add the city or licence number if you have them to narrow the results.
- Search and wait for the results list.
- Open the matching result and check the details listed below.
- Save a screenshot with the date, so you have a record if there is a dispute later.
HMB Travels, which tested the service in October 2026, notes that it is free and does not need a Saudi ID or account.
If the property does not show up
The search only matches what you type. Before you assume the worst, try a shorter version of the name without words like “Hotel” or “Apartments”, then try the Arabic name, then the licence number if the seller gave you one. If it still cannot be found and the seller cannot show you the record, do not pay yet.
How to Read the Results
| Field | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Shows as active | An expired or suspended licence is a stop sign |
| Name (English and Arabic) | Matches your booking | Some listings use a brand name that differs from the licensed name |
| City | Matches where you are going | Similar names exist in different cities |
| Licence number | Matches what the seller gave you | Confirms you found the right record |
| Classification | Matches what you were sold | A “5-star” advert for an Economy-graded unit is misleading |
| Expiry date | Falls after your check-out | A licence ending mid-stay is a risk |
A result is only useful if you know what to compare it against.
Classification is worth a second look. Hotel apartments are graded from 1 to 5 stars or 5-star luxury, while serviced apartments are graded Economy or First Class. If you are unsure how these categories differ, our guide to hotel apartment vs furnished apartment explains each label and who licenses it.
Checking at the Property Itself
The online register is the strongest check, but you can also confirm a few things on arrival. If you are flying in, our guide on Jeddah airport to city center shows how long it takes to reach each district, so you can plan to check in in daylight if you want a proper look around.
Licensed facilities are required to display their Ministry licence, usually at reception. Ask to see it if you cannot spot it. You should also be given a price list in Arabic and English, an invoice for what you pay and a clear check-in process where staff verify each adult’s original ID. Our guide to hotel check-in requirements in Saudi Arabia explains what staff must ask for and what they are not allowed to keep.
If the “reception” is a key left under a mat, nobody asks for ID and payment goes to a personal account, treat that as a warning, not a convenience.
Red Flags of an Unlicensed Rental
Most unlicensed rentals share the same patterns. Watch for these:
- The seller will not give the property’s full name or address until you pay.
- Payment is requested only by bank transfer to a personal account.
- The listing has no licence number, or the number does not match the register.
- Prices are far below similar properties in the same area.
- There is no invoice, receipt or written booking confirmation.
- The seller asks you to “say you are visiting a friend” at check-in.
- Photos look professional but the address cannot be found on a map.
One red flag does not prove a property is unlicensed, but two or three together should make you stop and check.
Private Homes and Holiday Rentals
Private homes, chalets and apartments rented by individuals also need a licence. Since the Ministry introduced the Private Tourism Hospitality Facility licence, owners must apply through the Tourism Activity Licensing Portal before renting to tourists by the day. The Ministry issued 8,357 of these licences in 2024, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.
On platforms such as Airbnb and Gathern, look for the licence number in the listing. If it is missing, message the host and ask for it, then check it on the Ministry register. A licensed host will usually share it straight away.
Longer residential leases are different. A furnished flat rented for months on an Ejar contract is a tenancy, not a tourism stay, so it will not appear on the tourism register. That is normal, but it also means you will not have a reception team or the Ministry’s guest protections. Our comparison of serviced apartment vs hotel shows how staffed stays compare on space, service and cost.
Extra Care for Umrah Bookings
Pilgrims often book through agents and may not choose their hotel directly. Before paying the balance, ask for the exact names of your Makkah and Madinah hotels and check both on the register. Be wary of “named hotel or similar” offers that change the property without a new check.
If you plan to base yourself in Jeddah and travel to Makkah for Umrah, apply the same checks to your Jeddah stay. Our guide to staying in Jeddah for Umrah compares the cost and time of each approach.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay
A short message to the seller can save you a lot of trouble. A licensed operator will answer these without hesitation:
- What is the property’s licensed name and Ministry of Tourism licence number?
- Which city and district is it in, and what is the full address?
- Will I get a written booking confirmation and an invoice in Arabic and English?
- Is there a staffed reception, and what are its hours?
- What is the cancellation policy, and how are refunds paid?
If the answers are vague, slow or keep changing, keep looking.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If you discover a problem after booking or during your stay, act quickly.
Start by asking the property for its licence and a written invoice. If you were charged amounts you did not agree to, or the unit is very different from what was advertised, call the Unified Tourism Call Center on 930. Keep screenshots of the listing, your payment, messages with the seller and the register search.
If you booked through a platform, report the listing there too. Platforms are required to remove unlicensed properties, and your report helps protect the next guest.
How Licensing Shows Up at Best Trip Hotels
We would rather you check us than trust us blindly. You can look up any Best Trip Hotels property on the Ministry register by its name, and our reception teams will show you the property’s licence on request.
Day to day, the rules that come with licensing are simply how we work. Our 24-hour reception teams verify every adult’s original ID and register each stay through the official systems. Prices are listed before 15% VAT and city tax, and every payment comes with an invoice. Check-in is from 3 PM and check-out by 2 PM across our properties, as set out on our Best Trip services page.
Our story started in hotel marketing and short-term operations around 2010, and Best Trip Paris became our first Jeddah property in 2021. Today we run seven properties with more than 330 rooms and apartments in Jeddah and Jazan. You can read more about Best Trip Hotels, including our history and how we manage each property.
Book a Stay You Can Verify With Best Trip Hotels
Peace of mind should be part of every booking. When you stay with Best Trip Hotels, you deal with a named Saudi operator, a staffed reception and a clear set of published policies.
Choose from serviced apartments and a hotel across Jeddah and Jazan:
- Near the airport: Best Trip City Zone and Best Trip Paris in An Nuzhah.
- Near the old town: Al Andalus Tolen in Al Baghdadiyah.
- For families in the south: Best Trip Marsilia and Best Trip Milano.
- For monthly stays: Best Trip City Zone and Best Trip Istanbul, with terms arranged directly with the property.
- In Jazan: Best Trip Valencia, a short walk from the North Corniche.
Rates change with the season, demand and length of stay, and they rise and fall during Ramadan, school holidays and the Umrah peak. Check the property page or our booking engine for your dates, or browse our serviced apartments in Jeddah and book direct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a hotel is licensed in Saudi Arabia?
Use the Ministry of Tourism’s Licensed Activities Inquiry service on mt.gov.sa. Select “Tourism Accommodation”, enter the property name and check that the status is active and the details match your booking.
Is the Ministry of Tourism licence check free?
Yes. The lookup is free and does not require an account or Saudi ID.
Do Airbnb and private apartments need a licence in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, if they are rented to tourists on a daily basis. Owners need a Private Tourism Hospitality Facility licence, and platforms must remove unlicensed listings.
What happens if a hotel operates without a licence?
The Ministry of Tourism can impose fines of up to SAR 1 million, close the facility or both, and may publicly name violators.
What should I do if my rental is not licensed?
Do not pay until the seller can show a valid licence on the Ministry register. If you have already paid or are staying there, keep your records and call the Unified Tourism Call Center on 930.
Should a hotel show its licence at reception?
Licensed tourism facilities are required to display their Ministry of Tourism licence. If you cannot see it, ask reception to show it.
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