---
title: "What time can you send promotional SMS in Saudi Arabia?"
description: "What time you can send promotional SMS in Saudi Arabia: CST bans them from 22:00 to 09:00, and from 01:00 to 12:00 in Ramadan. Plan sends with these windows."
canonical: "https://omnichannels.ai/answers/saudi-promotional-sms-hours/"
language: "en"
updated: "2026-10-10"
publisher: "BroadNet Technologies"
brand: "OmniChannels.ai"
---

# What time can you send promotional SMS in Saudi Arabia?

Canonical: https://omnichannels.ai/answers/saudi-promotional-sms-hours/
Language: en
Publisher: OmniChannels.ai by BroadNet Technologies

**Short answer:** In Saudi Arabia, promotional SMS can be sent between 09:00 and 22:00 Saudi time. CST's Regulations for Curbing SPAM Messages and Calls ban promotional messages from 22:00 to 09:00 daily, and from 01:00 to 12:00 during Ramadan. Transactional messages, such as OTPs, order updates and account alerts, can be sent at any time of day.

## Sending windows at a glance

Times are Saudi local time in the recipient's time zone, not the sender's. A send scheduled for 22:30 by a team in Dubai lands at 21:30 in Riyadh and is allowed; one scheduled for 09:30 Dubai time lands at 08:30 in Riyadh, inside the ban.

| Period | Promotional SMS allowed | Promotional SMS banned |
|---|---|---|
| Normal days | 09:00 to 22:00 | 22:00 to 09:00 |
| Ramadan | 12:00 to 01:00 | 01:00 to 12:00 |
| Transactional messages | Any time | Not restricted by these windows |

## How to schedule a Saudi campaign safely

Example: a campaign that starts at 21:45 Riyadh time and takes 40 minutes would run past 22:00. Move it to 10:00 the next morning, or split the list.

1. Convert the send time to Saudi local time.
2. Estimate how long the whole list takes to send at your throughput.
3. Make sure the last message goes out before 22:00, or before 01:00 during Ramadan.
4. Start no earlier than 09:00, or 12:00 during Ramadan.
5. Keep OTPs and alerts on a separate transactional sender so they are never held back.

## Other Saudi rules that apply to promotions

Rules change, so confirm the current regulation text on CST's website before a major campaign.

- Sender IDs need CST and operator approval: one per legal entity per use case.
- Consent should be captured in line with Saudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law, with source, timestamp, channel and lawful basis recorded.
- Opt-outs (STOP or ايقاف) must be one step and honoured until the person consents again.

## Official sources

- [CST Regulations for Curbing SPAM Messages and Calls](https://www.cst.gov.sa/en/regulations-and-licenses/regulations/Document-522)
- [Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST)](https://www.cst.gov.sa/en/)

## Related questions

- https://omnichannels.ai/answers/best-time-to-send-sms/
- https://omnichannels.ai/answers/register-sender-id-saudi-arabia/
- https://omnichannels.ai/answers/saudi-pdpl-messaging/
- https://omnichannels.ai/answers/sms-opt-out-requirements/
- https://omnichannels.ai/answers/uae-sms-marketing-rules/

Updated: 2026-10-10