# SAQR

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/saqr
> research date 2026-05-29 · extracted at 2026-10-06
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

Specifications:
- [QR Code Technology — SAMA Rulebook](https://rulebook.sama.gov.sa/en/quick-response-code-technology-qr-code)
- [SAMA introduces QR-based national payment system](https://www.paymentscardsandmobile.com/saudi-arabia-monetary-authority-sama-introduces-qr-based-national-payment-system/)

## Overview

**SAQR** is **Saudi Arabia's SAMA QR standard** — Saudi Arabia Monetary Authority (SAMA) + Saudi Payments-coordinated unified national QR-code platform <sup>[1][1], [2][2], [Saudi Arabia report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SA)</sup>. The platform was developed by **Saudi Payments + HPS (Hightech Payment Systems, Moroccan-French payment-technology company)** to enable **banks, wallet providers, and FinTechs to interact seamlessly within an interoperable platform** <sup>[3][3]</sup>. The structural distinction: **ISO 20022 messaging standard** + **enables merchants, individual customers, and service providers to be linked together to complete payments using the same QR code regardless of service provider or scheme**.

The structural significance: SAMA's SAQR is part of **Saudi Arabia's broader payment-system modernisation under Vision 2030** — including **[Mada](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mada)** (national card scheme, modernised 2015), **Mada Pay** (mobile wallet, 2022), **InstaPay** (instant rail), **STC Pay + others** (e-wallets). SAQR provides the **unified QR-acceptance layer** across this comprehensive ecosystem. **All entities previously launching QR-payment services must comply with the technical + commercial requirements and complete technical authorization process with Saudi Payments by end of 2021** — illustrating Saudi Payments' regulatory authority over Saudi QR-payment standardisation. The system supports **both static + dynamic QR codes** + **merchant-presents-QR** + **consumer-presents-QR** modes.

## History

**Background — Saudi payment landscape** <sup>[Saudi Arabia report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SA)</sup>:
- **Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)** — central bank.
- **Saudi Payments** — payment-system operator (SAMA subsidiary).
- **[Mada](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mada)** national card scheme.
- **STC Pay, urpay, mobile-wallet ecosystem**.

**Saudi Payments + HPS partnership** <sup>[3][3]</sup>:
- HPS appointed by Saudi Payments to provide unified QR-code platform.

**SAMA Rulebook QR Code Technology** <sup>[1][1]</sup>:
- Regulatory framework published in SAMA Rulebook.

**Compliance deadline end-2021** <sup>[2][2]</sup>:
- All existing QR-payment services must complete technical authorisation with Saudi Payments.

**Vision 2030 alignment** <sup>[Saudi Arabia report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SA)</sup>:
- Part of broader Saudi digital-economy modernisation.

## Technical specification

SAQR is **SAMA + Saudi Payments-coordinated unified national QR platform** <sup>[1][1], [2][2]</sup>:

| Layer | Description |
|---|---|
| **Standards body** | **Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)** + **Saudi Payments** |
| **Technology partner** | **HPS (Hightech Payment Systems)** |
| **Messaging** | **ISO 20022** |
| **Currency** | SAR (Saudi riyal) |
| **QR modes** | Both **static + dynamic**; **MPM + CPM** |
| **Compliance deadline** | End-2021 (all existing QR services to authorise) |
| **Participants** | Banks + wallet providers + FinTechs |

**HPS partnership** <sup>[3][3]</sup>:
- HPS (Moroccan-French payment-technology company) provides unified platform.

**Single-QR-for-all** <sup>[2][2]</sup>:
- Same QR code regardless of service provider or scheme.

## Use cases

**Merchant QR payments (MPM + CPM)** <sup>[1][1]</sup>: Cardinal use.

**Cross-bank + cross-wallet** <sup>[2][2]</sup>: Unified acceptance.

**FinTech participation** <sup>[2][2]</sup>: Beyond bank-only participation.

**Vision 2030 cashless ambitions** <sup>[Saudi Arabia report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SA)</sup>: Strategic role.

## Implementations & ecosystem

**Standards body**: **SAMA + Saudi Payments**.

**Technology partner**: **HPS** (Hightech Payment Systems).

**Companion**:
- **[Mada](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mada)** (national card scheme).
- **Mada Pay** (mobile wallet on Mada infrastructure).
- **STC Pay, urpay, etc.** (Saudi e-wallets).

**Major Saudi banks**: SNB (Saudi National Bank), Al Rajhi Bank, Riyad Bank, SAB (Saudi Awwal Bank), others.

## Fun facts

- **HPS partnership**: Moroccan-French payment-tech firm contracted.
- **End-2021 compliance deadline**: All existing Saudi QR services must conform to SAQR standard.
- **ISO 20022 from launch**: Modern international standard.
- **Vision 2030 alignment**: Saudi-strategic-ambition context.
- **MPM + CPM dual-mode**: Comprehensive interaction modes.
- **Single-QR-for-all-PSPs**: Anti-fragmentation design.
- **Saudi Payments-coordinated**: SAMA-subsidiary central role.
- **Static + dynamic QR**: Comprehensive merchant-acceptance flexibility.

## Comparison

| Feature | SAQR (SA) | [Mada](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mada) (SA companion) | [Aani](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/aani) (UAE) | [QMP QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/qmp-qr) (QA) | [CliQ QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/cliq-qr) (JO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standards body | SAMA + Saudi Payments | SAMA + Saudi Payments | Al Etihad Payments (CBUAE) | QCB | JoPACC (public-private) |
| Tech partner | **HPS** | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Messaging | **ISO 20022** | Internal | ISO 20022 | n/a | ISO 20022 |
| Type | National unified QR | National card scheme | Instant payment + QR | Mobile-payment switch + QR | Instant payment + QR |
| Year | ~2020-2021 | 1990 (2015 rebrand) | Oct 2023 | May 2023 | Jun 2020 |

## Status

**Active, mandatory** <sup>[1][1], [2][2]</sup>:
- **SAMA + Saudi Payments** standards body.
- **HPS technology partner**.
- **End-2021 compliance deadline** met.
- **ISO 20022-based**.
- **Static + dynamic, MPM + CPM**.

## Sources

[1]: https://rulebook.sama.gov.sa/en/quick-response-code-technology-qr-code "SAMA QR Code Technology Rulebook"
[2]: https://www.paymentscardsandmobile.com/saudi-arabia-monetary-authority-sama-introduces-qr-based-national-payment-system/ "SAMA introduces QR-based national payment system"
[3]: https://www.hps-worldwide.com/news-and-media/hps-introduces-qr-based-national-payment-system "HPS QR-based national payment system"

- [1] [SAMA QR Code Technology Rulebook][1]
- [2] [SAMA introduces QR-based national payment system][2]
- [3] [HPS QR-based national payment system][3]
- <sup>[Saudi Arabia report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SA)</sup> `reports/countries/SA-saudi-arabia.md`

## Deployments

Found in the following country reports (grep across `reports/countries/`):

- **SA** — [SA-saudi-arabia.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/SA)