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Saudi Arabia Reportedly Opens Riyadh Liquor Store to High-Earning Non-Muslim Residents

The unconfirmed shift aligns with a tightly controlled liberalization aimed at attracting foreign talent under Vision 2030.

Overview

  • Non-Muslim foreign residents earning at least 50,000 riyals a month can now buy alcohol at the Riyadh outlet, according to multiple reports citing unnamed sources.
  • Entry requires presenting a salary certificate, and purchases are limited by a monthly point-based allowance, the reports say.
  • The Riyadh store began serving foreign diplomats in 2024 and more recently admitted some non-Muslims with premium residency status.
  • Additional state-authorized outlets in Jeddah for diplomats and in Dhahran for Aramco communities have been reported as planned, with sources indicating possible 2026 openings that remain unconfirmed.
  • Saudi authorities have not publicly confirmed the expanded access or new stores, and the income threshold effectively excludes most lower-paid migrant workers, rights groups note.