Guide to Credit Records & the SIMAH Credit Score in Saudi Arabia
Your SIMAH score is the number that actually determines whether banks approve your financing, and at what profit margin, before they even look at your salary or collateral. This guide explains how this score is built, and how to review and improve it with practical steps.
Guide steps
What is SIMAH, and who supervises it?
The Saudi Credit Bureau (SIMAH) is the licensed body in Saudi Arabia for collecting and analyzing individuals' credit records, based on data submitted by banks, finance companies, telecoms, and other member entities. SIMAH is supervised by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) under the Credit Information Law and its implementing regulations, which require members to update customer data at least once a week.
Score range and what the numbers mean
The SIMAH score typically ranges from 250 to 900 points. The closer your number is to 900, the higher your creditworthiness and negotiating power with banks — you may get instant approvals with no down payment and better profit margins. Lower scores (roughly under 600) may mean an outright rejection or a much higher profit margin on any financing you request, whether personal, auto, or real estate.
What your credit report actually contains
Under SAMA's implementing regulation, your report includes: your basic personal data (name, national ID number, age, occupation, income, marital status), records of inquiries made about you over the previous five years, your payment-discipline history over the previous two years, and records of any financial default over the previous five years. Defaults remain visible on the report for a full 5 years from their date, though their impact on the score gradually fades over time with regular repayment even before they're fully removed.
How to get your report for free
You are entitled to one full, free credit report every year. The steps: download the SIMAH app or go to simah.com, log in via the unified national access (Absher/Nafath), then go to the "My Reports" section and request the copy. Any additional request within the same year is subject to a fee (around 19 SAR including the assessment). Review your report carefully as soon as you receive it and look for any data error, inquiry, or default you don't recognize, and file an official dispute if needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the SIMAH credit score?
The score typically ranges from 250 to 900; the closer it is to 900, the higher your creditworthiness and negotiating power with banks and finance companies.
How do I get my SIMAH credit report for free?
Through the SIMAH app or website (simah.com), log in via the unified national access, then request the report from the "My Reports" section. You're entitled to one full, free credit report per year; any additional request in the same year is subject to a fee.
What factors affect the SIMAH score?
The most important are: payment history (meeting deadlines is the single most important factor), credit-limit utilization ratio, the number of recent credit inquiries, and default or non-payment records.
How long do financial defaults stay on the credit record?
Default records remain visible on the report for 5 years from their date, while payment-discipline history is shown for the previous two years. Time passing with regular repayment gradually reduces their impact on the score even before they're fully removed from the report.
Which body is responsible for regulating SIMAH?
The Saudi Credit Bureau (SIMAH) is licensed and supervised by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) under the Credit Information Law and its implementing regulations, which set, among other things, a minimum weekly data-update requirement.