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Saudi Arabia is a large country in West Asia, mostly desert, and the birthplace of Islam. It’s the largest country in the Middle East and one of the world’s largest oil producers. The capital is Riyadh, and the country is a monarchy. It’s also home to the two holiest sites in Islam, Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia is famous for being the birthplace of Islam, home to the holiest cities of Mecca and Medina, and for its vast oil reserves, making it a major global oil producer and exporter. Saudi Arabia can be a good place to work and settle, especially for those seeking high salaries, a high standard of living, and career advancement opportunities. However, it also presents challenges related to cultural adjustments, entertainment options, and a complex legal system.
Permanent residency in Saudi Arabia, often referred to as “Premium Residency” or the “Saudi Green Card,” is a residence permit that allows foreign nationals to live, work, and own businesses and property without needing a sponsor. This status is a stepping stone to full citizenship, offering various benefits like property ownership and family sponsorship, although it doesn’t grant full rights and responsibilities of a Saudi citizen.
Eligibility and Requirements:
1. Premium Residency: Applicants must meet specific criteria, often including holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, having a certain level of work experience, and earning a minimum monthly salary.
2. Minimum Residence: To be eligible for permanent residency, you usually need to be a resident of Saudi Arabia for at least 30 months within a five-year period.
3. Financial Stability: Evidence of financial solvency is also a requirement.
4. No Criminal Record: Applicants must not have a criminal record.
The Premium Residency in Saudi Arabia, informally known as the “Saudi Green Card,” is a residence permit that allows foreign nationals to live, work, and own property in the country without a sponsor. It’s part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to attract skilled workers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
General Requirements
1. Valid Passport
2. Clean Criminal Record
3. Good Health
4. Financial Solvency
5. Minimum Age
6. Medical Checkup
7. Health Insurance
Requirements Specific to Residency Types
Investor Residency:
1. Holding an investment license issued by the Ministry of Investment for an investment with a minimum applicant’s share of 7 million SAR.
2. Having a valid Commercial Registration.
3. Providing the Memorandum of Association showing investor shares.
Professional Residency (Talent):
1. Employment contract in a whitelisted entity with a priority specialization.
2. Minimum monthly salary of SAR 14,000.
3. Bachelor’s degree or higher.
4. More than three years of work experience in a related field.
5. Meeting a minimum score in a points system.
6. Recommendation letter from your employer.
7. A minimum of 3 research papers in a related field.
1. Visa-free travel: Allows visa-free entry and exit to/from Saudi Arabia.
2. Business ownership and management: Enables the establishment and management of businesses without a sponsor.
3. Employment flexibility: Grants the right to work and freely change jobs within the private sector.
4. Real estate ownership: Permits the ownership of residential, commercial, and industrial property.
5. Family residency: Extends Premium Residency benefits to eligible family members, including parents.
6. Exemption from fees: Exempts holders from expatriate and dependent fees.
7. Investment opportunities: Allows investment in the Saudi Capital Market.
8. Priority lanes at airports: Grants access to priority lanes at Saudi airports.
9. Transfer between entities: Allows for transfer between companies without additional fees.
10. No sponsor required: Provides residency without needing a Saudi sponsor.
Working in Saudi Arabia can be financially advantageous due to tax-free income and potentially higher salaries than in other countries. However, it also presents cultural differences and potential challenges in work-life balance, especially with long working hours.
1. Tax-free income: Saudi Arabia does not have personal income tax, allowing employees to keep more of their earnings.
2. Higher salaries: Salaries for expats in Saudi Arabia can be higher than in many other countries, especially in fields like oil, engineering, and healthcare.
3. Attractive benefits: Many companies offer comprehensive benefit packages, including accommodation, healthcare, and other perks.
4. Diverse work environment: Saudi Arabia has a large expat population, which can make it easier for new arrivals to adjust and integrate.
5. Career advancement: There are opportunities for career progression, particularly in high-demand sectors like tech, construction, and oil & gas.
In Saudi Arabia, individuals can find job opportunities in diverse sectors like:
1. Oil And Gas,
2. Construction And Infrastructure,
3. Technology,
4. Tourism And Hospitality,
5. Healthcare.
Additionally, fields like education
1. Finance,
2. Manufacturing,
3. Mining, And Telecommunications Also Offer Potential Employment.
Specific roles in demand include
1. Business Development Managers,
2. Human Resources Managers,
3. Project Managers,
4. Various Engineering Positions.
Saudi Arabia’s major industries include:
1. Oil And Gas,
2. Petrochemicals,
3. Construction,
4. Tourism,
5. Logistics,
6. The Emerging Sectors Of Renewable Energy
7. It.
1. saudi Aramco
2. Alrajhi Bank
3. Almarai
4. Riyad Bank
5. Arab National Bank
6. Saudi Electricity Company
7. Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group Company SJSC
8. Sabic Agri-nutrients Company
9. Saudi Awwal Bank
10. ACWA Power company logo
1. Data Analysis & Science
2. Cybersecurity
3. Cloud Computing
4. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
5. Blockchain
6. Web Development & Mobile App Development
7. DevOps
8. IoT (Internet of Things)
1. Tax-free income: A major advantage for expats, allowing for significant savings.
2. High living standards: The cost of living can be on par with or lower than other Middle Eastern countries, and similar to the UK.
3. Career opportunities: Strong career progression, especially in high-demand sectors like oil, engineering, and healthcare.
4. Generous holiday allowance: Legally required to provide at least 21 days of annual leave after one year of employment, although it can vary by employer.
5. Good healthcare: High-standard healthcare is available, and employers usually provide medical insurance for non-Saudi nationals.
6. Long working hours: Long hours can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
7. Formal and hierarchical work culture: Building strong relationships and trust can be important for career advancement.
8. Potential for cultural adjustment: Saudi Arabia has a unique cultural landscape and etiquette that may require adaptation.
Saudi Arabia is a world-class economy primarily driven by its vast oil reserves and its role in the global petroleum market. The Kingdom is the largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, holding a significant share of the world’s oil reserves and serving as a major player in OPEC.
Saudi Arabia’s GDP grew by 1.3%, with the fourth quarter showing the highest growth in two years, at 4.5% year-on-year.
You cannot secure a work permit unless you have a concrete employment offer. In fact, individuals cannot apply for a permit themselves; their sponsor must apply for one on their behalf. Every expat has a sponsor – usually their employer – who acts both as a guardian and a guarantor during their time working in Saudi Arabia. The function of a sponsor can be held by individuals, companies or institutions, such as your chamber of commerce in Saudi Arabia, or a business associate or partner. Some individuals may expect remuneration for their services.
Your sponsor will probably be your main contact in the kingdom, and can help you with many of the issues you may encounter, from getting your visa to helping you find accommodation. At the same time, they are responsible for you and thus have a strong interest in both your well-being and your good behavior. Any offence you cause while living and working in Saudi Arabia may reflect badly upon your sponsor.
1. Stable and Thriving Economy:
Saudi Arabia boasts the largest economy in the Middle East and has a strong track record of economic stability.
2. Tax-Free Salaries:
Expatriates working in Saudi Arabia typically enjoy tax-free income, making it attractive for those looking to save and invest.
3. Improved Access to Credit:
The kingdom offers various avenues for businesses to access financing and credit, facilitating growth.
4. Faster Trade Processes:
The government has implemented reforms to streamline trade procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
5. Simplified Business Setup:
Saudi Arabia has been working to simplify the legal and administrative processes for setting up a business, making it more accessible for foreign investors.
6. Diverse Business Opportunities:
The kingdom offers a range of opportunities across various sectors, including oil, engineering, healthcare, and e-commerce
Saudi Arabia has seen a significant increase in women’s labor force participation, with the female labor force participation rate rising from 19.7% to 33% between 2018 and 2020, and reaching 35% in 2022, as part of the Vision 2030 goals.
Working in Saudi Arabia comes with some considerable financial benefits. Not only may salaries be higher than for the same kind of work in Europe or in the US, but your net income receives a significant boost through the absence of personal income tax.
As there is no social security system, either (at least not for foreigners), there will be virtually no deductions from your monthly salary. However, you may want to make good use of your high income: Not only do you have to take out private health insurance, but you should also contribute to a personal or corporate pension plan during your time working in Saudi Arabia.
Another perk awaiting expat employees upon conclusion of their contract is the “end of contract” bonus, which they are usually entitled to after two or more years of working for the same employer. This indemnity can amount to a significant sum. However, Arab companies are slowly moving away from employing expats for limited periods of one or two years only and are beginning to offer long-term contracts instead.
To work in Saudi Arabia, expats generally require a work permit, also known as an Iqama, which is a residence permit allowing them to work and live in the country. This Iqama, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is valid for one year but can be renewed quarterly. The process typically involves obtaining a work visa, followed by the employer applying for the Iqama within 90 days of the employee’s arrival.
Types of Work Visas:
1. Temporary Work Visas: For short-term projects or employment, usually up to 90 days.
2. Work Permit Visas: For long-term employment with an extended work contract.
Requirements for a Work Visa:
1. Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
2. Completed visa application form.
3. Passport-sized photos.
4. Signed employment contract.
5. Attested educational/professional certificates.
6. Medical fitness certificate.
7. Police clearance certificate.
8. Proof of online payment of the visa fee.
1. Black toppers
2. Engineers for agricultural machinery
4. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for power engineering technology
5. Graduates in power engineering
6. Pavers
7. Special(ist) power engineers
8. Concrete fitters
9. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for data processing
10. Carpenters
11. Special fitters
12. Graduate engineers for data processing
13. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for mechanical engineering
14. Construction joiners
15. Physicians
16. Floor and wall tilers
17. Building plumbers
18. Graduate nurses
19. Pipe installers, pipe fitters
20. Graduates in weak-current and telecommunications engineering
21. Electrical installers, electrical fitters
22. Welders, cutting torch operators
23. Cost accountants
24. Metal turners
25. Graduate mechanical engineers
26. Milling machinists
27. Ophthalmic opticians
28. Special graduate engineers
29. Technicians with a higher education (engineer) for civil engineering
30. Special floor layers
31. Construction and furniture joiners
32. Special fitters
33. Bricklayers
34. Other civil engineering specialists
35. Specialist technicians for mechanical engineering
36. Payroll accountants
37. Wood machine workers
38. Graduate engineers – special professions
39. Varnishers
40. Motor vehicle mechanic
41. Glaziers
42. Train conductors, stokers
43. Building fitters, sheet metal fitters, construction fitters
44. Engineers/technicians for rough mechanicals
45. Special technicians for low voltage engineering and communication engineering
46. Other technicians for fuel and gas technology
47. Restaurant chefs
48. Painters, house painters
49. Stove fitters, potters, stove makers
50. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineer) for technical chemistry, chemical engineers
51. Plastic processors
52. Special technicians in business administration
53. Special technicians for civil engineering
54. Toolmakers, cutters and punchmakers
55. Dealers and sales clerks for iron and metal goods, domestic and kitchen appliances
56. Certified public accountants
57. Special technicians
58. Butchers
59. Vehicle body and radiator sheet metal workers
60. Machine fitters
| Category | Description of Visa |
|---|---|
| Business Visit Visa | Business visa is to conduct limited business transactions with a sponsor (Saudi person or company). Theoretically this is restricted to activities like conducting negotiations or holding business meetings. The business visa is commonly used by individuals providing short term or intermittent services like technical services or management consulting and the Saudi authorities have tolerated that. With the advent of the temporary visa work visa this may change. |
| Work Visa | Work Visas are issued through the Ministry of Labour |
| Temporary Work Visa | This is a recent addition which allows employees of a foreign entity to do temporary work in Saudi Arabia. The foreign entity cannot have a presence in Saudi Arabia. |
Whether salaries in Saudi Arabia are “good” depends on individual circumstances, such as job role, experience, and lifestyle. However, many individuals find that the high earning potential, tax-free salaries, and generous benefits make Saudi Arabia an attractive place to work, particularly compared to other countries.
Saudi Arabia, average monthly salaries vary widely depending on the profession and experience. The average monthly salary for Saudis in 2023 was around 11,000 SAR. For a decent lifestyle, a single professional might need 10,000 – 15,000 SAR per month, while a family would likely require 20,000 – 25,000 SAR.
Coraledu’s mission is to empower internationals to thrive in their lives abroad. We offer tailored work and settlement solutions designed to facilitate success for individuals and their employers worldwide, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia. Contact us to discover how we can support you or your employees in achieving both professional and personal fulfillment abroad.
