by Last year my cousin ayra got a message on a matrimonial app from a man who said he was an engineer in Riyadh. He had a good salary, seemed family-minded, and wanted to marry within three months. Everyone at home was thrilled.
Two weeks later, he asked her to pay a “visa processing fee.” That was the end of it.
Since then, I’ve helped four families in our circle look into Saudi – Arabia marriage proposals. Some of the men were honest and patient. Others disappeared after a single video call. This checklist comes from those experiences, so you don’t have to learn the hard way.
It’s for parents, brothers, sisters, or the girl herself, anyone who has received a rishta from a man living in Saudi Arabia and wants to check it properly before going ahead.
Quick summary: Verify his photos, meet him and his family on video, confirm his job and legal status, ask locals about him, and never send money before the nikah.
1. Confirm He Is a Real human Person
Fake profiles use stolen photos, so a nice picture proves nothing.
- Open Google Lens on your mobile phone, or go to TinEye on a laptop.
- Upload his profile photos one by one.
- If the same photos show up under different names, stop right there.
- Ask for a live video call on WhatsApp application or Google Meet.
- During the call, ask him to do something simple, like wave or hold up a paper with today’s date.
One “doctor” we checked was using a Turkish fitness influencer’s photos. Another man said his camera was broken for 10 days. A real person in Jeddah can fix a camera in just ten minutes.
2. Check His Legal Status in Saudi Arabia
Whether he is a Saudi citizen or an expat changes the whole marriage and visa process.
| If he is… | What it usually involves | Ask him |
|---|---|---|
| A Saudi citizen | Government approval to marry a foreign national, which can take months | “Have you started the permission process?” |
| An expat on an iqama | His job and salary must allow him to sponsor a family visa | “Is your iqama eligible for a family visa?” |
Rules change, so always confirm with the Saudi embassy or official government websites.
A genuine man will know these answers or find them out within a few days. A fake one changes the subject.
3. Talk to His Family, Not Just Him
A rishta is between two families. A man who hides his family is often hiding other things too.
- After two or three conversations, ask for a video call with his parents or an elder.
- Notice whether they know what he has told you about his job, city and plans.
- Ask where the family lives back home and whether you can meet them in person.
For my friend’s sister, his parents joined a video call the same evening we asked. That one call told us more than two months of chatting had.
Red flag: “My mother is unwell,” “my brother is traveling,” “my family is very private.” If the excuses keep coming, step back.
4. Verify His Job and Salary
The “good job in Saudi” is what makes most proposals attractive, which also makes it the easiest thing to lie about.
- Ask for the full company name and his exact position.
- Search the company on Google Maps. Is there a real office?
- Look for the company page and his profile on LinkedIn.
- Ask a relative or friend working in Saudi Arabia whether the company is real and the salary sounds right for that role.
For example, a “manager” earning 25,000 riyals at a company with no website, no address and no LinkedIn page is not someone to trust.
5. Never Send Money, Whatever the Reason
This is the most important rule. Marriage scams almost always end in a request for money. The usual excuses are:
- Customs fees for a gift he “sent”
- Visa or documentation charges
- A sudden medical emergency
- A bank transfer that is “stuck”
Don’t send even a small amount. Take screenshots of the chat, report the profile on the app, and warn others in your family groups.
Hina’s “engineer” asked for 85,000 rupees. After we reported him, we found three other women in a Facebook group who had heard the exact same story. A genuine groom does not ask the bride’s side for money before the nikah.
Related Article: Top 10 Legit Work-From-Home Jobs in the USA (No Experience & Degree Required)
6. Agree on Life After Marriage
Many problems begin after the wedding, not before it. Ask these questions with both families present:
- Will she live with him in Saudi Arabia, or stay back home for now?
- Who will arrange the visa, and how long will it take?
- Can she work or study there?
- How often will she visit her family?
- Where will they live, and what kind of accommodation is it?
Write the answers down in a simple note. “Everything will be fine, inshallah” is not an answer.
7. Get Local References
People in his hometown know things he will never tell you.
- Ask for the contact of a family elder, a colleague, or the imam at his family’s local mosque.
- If you have relatives in his city, ask them to quietly find out about the family.
- Ask specific questions: Is he already married? What is the family like? Any disputes?
A neighbor of one man’s family in Sialkot told us he was already married, something he had never mentioned.
Mistakes We Made
When we first started checking Saudi Arabia marriage proposals for relatives, we trusted the matchmaker completely and skipped the video call. We also moved far too fast because everyone was excited.
Speed is a red flag on its own. A good proposal can wait a few weeks while you check things properly.
Your 7-Step Checklist
- ✅ Reverse image search his photos
- ✅ Live video call with him
- ✅ Video call with his family
- ✅ Verify his company and job
- ✅ Confirm his iqama or citizenship status
- ✅ Speak to a local reference
- ✅ Agree on living arrangements, then plan the engagement
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should we take before saying yes?
At least three to four weeks. That gives you enough time to complete every check calmly.
Is it rude to ask for references?
No. Asking around is normal in our communities, and a decent family will understand.
Are Saudi Arabia marriage proposals from matrimonial apps safe?
No app is fully safe. Use apps that verify profiles, and do your own checks whichever app you use.
What if he gets angry when we ask questions?
Take that as your answer. A serious man respects a careful family.
Final Thoughts
Most Saudi Arabia marriage proposals that have reached our family came from decent people who wanted a stable home. These checks aren’t about suspicion. They’re about protecting your daughter or sister, and respecting both families.
Take your time, involve your elders, and don’t let excitement make the decision for you.
