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Moving to Saudi Arabia – The Complete Guide

Milly Andrews May 17, 2013
Posted May 17, 2013 In Living Abroad,
Milly Andrews

Born and raised in Portland, Milly has had a lot of experience moving and writing about the relocation process.

More than 10 million expats live in the Land of the Two Holy Mosques, which makes about the third of the country’s population. Moving to Saudi Arabia (SA) is usually career and money-driven – they are the most common reason people decide to relocate to one of the world’s most conservative countries. However, relocating to SA is often a more complex process than when it comes to other countries – ensure to be familiar with every step.

Documents Needed for Moving to Saudi Arabia From the USA

Before you get in touch with the international moving company and opt for moving by air, as a faster option, or moving by sea, as the more affordable one, you must get the answer to two questions: can anyone move to Saudi Arabia and can you fulfill the requirements necessary for relocation to the Kingdom. The first thing you have to know when thinking about the relocation to this destination is that your move must be sponsored, either by the employer or by a family member. Without sponsorship, your relocation won’t be permitted. You also must not have an Israel Passport Stamp in order to enter this destination.

According to that, it is crucial to determine which documents you have to obtain before the move. Valid passports and visas are naturally the most important documents needed to travel abroad, but you should have other types of personal documentation, such as birth and marriage certificates, medical and school records, prescriptions, and so on. It would be wise to have identification documents and permits always by your side, but also medical prescriptions – if you are found with herbs and medications you are not prescribed to, it is likely that you will be fined.

Types of Visas You Could Obtain

Opting for a specific Visitors International Stay Admission for SA is connected to the purpose of your stay. You could get:

  • Travel visa – obtaining it has become possible since 2019 and it implies staying no more than 90 days. You could apply online or at a local embassy, but make sure to check entry requirements during a coronavirus pandemic.
  • Hajj and Umrah visas – visas Muslims have to obtain for the pilgrimage to Mecca. Note that Umrah could be performed if a person is traveling on a tourist visa, but for performing Hajj, you’ll need a separate one.
  • Business visa – meant for short visits regarding business meetings, negotiation, sales, investment meetings, and so on. In order to obtain it, you’ll need written proof of the purpose of your visit supplied by your employer and the invitation from the company in SA.
  • Work visa – you’ll have to provide a letter from the sponsor, a copy of your business contract, proof of your qualifications, as well as your police report and HIV-negative medical results. Obviously, you can’t get this type of visa before you get a job in the SA. If you plan to work in the Kingdom for a longer period of time, you could obtain a residence permit (iqama) after the visa’s expiration.

Apart from previously mentioned, know that you could also get diplomatic, student, escort visas, and the like. In addition to that, remember that foreign citizens need special visas if planning to enter and exit the SA’s borders on multiple occasions. Make sure to contact the local embassy and get complete information on the essentials for your application.

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Could I Get Citizenship as an Expat?

If you are planning to relocate to SA permanently, know that it is possible to get Saudi’s citizenship, if you fulfill certain requirements, such as:

  • Living in the Kingdom for 10 years legally and continuously
  • Being older than 18 years
  • Having a legal source of income
  • Not having a criminal record
  • Being proficient in Arabic

If you are serious about staying in SA, learning a language abroad is a must. However, it is never too early to find some tips for learning a new language so you could break the language barrierstart as soon as you can!

How Much Money Do You Need to Live in Saudi Arabia?

SA has a lower cost of living than its wealthy neighbors in the Middle East, such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, but also in comparison to the USA. While a person in SA needs to single out around $700 for living expenses without rent, the one in the States pays on average around $950 on food, gas, utilities, and so on. However, know that one of the benefits that make most people think, “How can I migrate to Saudi Arabia promptly?” is non-existing income tax on more than satisfying salaries.

Keep in mind that it was prohibited by law for expats to buy property on Saudi’s land until recently, which is one of the reasons why there are still more renters than owners. Rent represents the costliest item concerning monthly expenses but is, on average, still about three times cheaper in comparison to the States. Search Bayut as well as PropertyFinder to find a new home that fits you the best.

Expat Packages – A Way of Reducing Living Costs

If the generally lower costs and the absence of income taxation are not enough, know that the costs are even more lowered by the expat packages Saudi’s employers offer to their employees. They usually consisted of financial help regarding accommodation, health insurance, school expenses, or transportation – one of the most important relocation questions to ask an employer is if you are going to be entitled to one. On the other hand, if you are planning on living overseas with your family, know that foreigners have to pay a dependent fee when moving to Saudi Arabia with family members.

Work Opportunities for an American Moving to Saudi Arabia

SA has the largest economy in the Middle East – know that this country is a part of G20, as one of the biggest economies in the world, which attracts many foreign workers. If you come from the field of urban planning, manufacturing, IT, engineering, or medicine, you could be almost certain that SA will always have a job for you, especially in highly populated Riyadh.

However, it may take some time to get used to the changes from liberal western to conservative society in all life spheres, including work one. You shouldn’t be surprised that women and men, if even working at the same company, have different lunchrooms. If you are a man, you also shouldn’t be offended if a businesswoman rejects shaking hands with you – it’s not allowed by the religious moral code. Foreigners also must know that Friday and Saturday will be a new weekend, considering that Friday is a holy day in Islam culture.

Job Restrictions During the Saudization

Expat workers are in a worse position than they were a few years ago regarding the job market. Saudization policy is a government’s attempt to reduce unemployment for nationals by demanding from private companies to hire a larger number of Saudis. In addition to that, there are some professions, such as cashier, customer service manager, HR director, and the like, that have become Saudi-only. Some expats had to move back to their homeland or change professions if their residence permit was based on work.

Opening a Bank Account

For opening a bank account at local banks after moving overseas, you’ll have to get a residents’ permit or, if you don’t have one yet, and permission from your sponsor, which could be your employer or family member. Ensure to connect yourself to the local bank your employer also uses because it will provide you with some added benefits – there would be less paperwork to be filed, you’ll gain faster money processing, and so on. Also, note that the preferable payment method in most places is by cash, even in larger cities, such as Riyadh and Jeddah, so remember to always have it by your side.

Things Every Expat Needs to Know About Saudi’s Health Service and Education System

When learning how to live abroad, one of the things you’ll find the most important is getting to know the country’s healthcare system, as well as education. As well as some of the best places to live in Europe, the Kingdom has a well-developed health services and insurance market, especially when it comes to the larger cities. It is free of charge for all Saudis and expats who have a job in the public sector. On the other hand, expat packages offered by employers in the private sector often contain basic health insurance. However, many members of expat communities opt for buying extra coverage to ensure getting the best care.

As for education, the free public school system is available only for those with Saudis citizenship and is vastly influenced by the Islamic religion, so expats usually opt for private or international schools. International ones have their curriculum adapted to the international criteria, while the private ones are connected to the education system of the specific country (the USA, among others.) Note that the price can vary drastically – from $5,000 to $25,000 and that homeschooling isn’t prohibited by law, like in some other Islamic countries.

What’s It Like Driving Through Saudi’s Cities?

If overseas car shipping is one of your wishes when getting a home in SA, know that your license issued in the USA is valid for 3 months after the international relocation and that you could drive with an international driver’s license for a whole year. However, after one year expires, you have an obligation to get a Saudi license. Note that iqama is mandatory when obtaining it and that you must carry car insurance by your side always.

Traffic congestion in SA is common, but only in more populated areas such as Riyadh or Jeddah. However, note that driving tends to be more unsafe than what you are probably used to in the States, primarily because of dark desert roads, high temperatures, and dangerous mountain paths – make sure to drive carefully and conscientiously.

The Influence of Religion on Lifestyle and Social Behavior

Every relocation across the world is bound to provide you with culture shock, but there aren’t many things that could prepare you for the encounter of SA’s patriarchal and restrictive society. As the birthplace of Islam, SA took a role upon itself to protect and spread Koran’s laws, which is why many restrictions people are subjected to have a religious base. Still, they don’t have the same intensity everywhere – Saudi’s capital, Riyadh, is considered to be a city with more strict laws, while Jeddah is often seen as a more liberal counterpart to Riyadh.

It is a known fact that Islamic countries may not be some of the best countries to live in considering women’s rights. There is no doubt that it would take some time for emancipated women to adjust to gender segregation or strictly patriarchal views of Saudi society and the legal system, but there are more and more changes in global nowadays. The current king of SA, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, is responsible for implementing many progressive ideas regarding the issue of gender equality. Soon, hopefully, expats won’t have to relocate to Turkey or opt for the neighbors and relocate to Dubai in search of a more modern Islamic country.

Is Saudi Arabia a Nice Place to Live?

Even though SA has some safety issues, caused mainly by the ones who don’t support liberal changes, Saudis are considered very friendly people who see the most value in religion and family. Spending time with loved ones inside a house that is usually home to immediate and extended family members is much appreciated. In most cases, you’ll be amazed by their hospitality and willingness to help.

When thinking about how to live in another country, know that you always must respect the country’s culture – and SA is no exception. You must follow its laws and regulations, no matter the opinion you have on them. However, one of the solutions to the cultural conflict lies in choosing suitable accommodation – vast cultural differences between most foreigners and locals have led to the creation of so-called expat compounds, where foreigners usually choose to rent an apartment. If you want to find out more about the benefits of this kind of accommodation for your new home, don’t miss watching the following video:

Shipping Restrictions When Moving to Saudi Arabia as an American

So you could avoid relocation stress when facing Saudi’s customs control, you must ensure to know what to pack when relocating abroad regarding this country’s rules. Whether you are packing by yourself or hiring packing services, make sure not to bring regularly prohibited items, such as hazardous waste, weapons, or drugs. Like many other countries, SA also has rules concerning importing certain dog breeds, so if you are relocating with dogs, know that breeds such as Boxer, Bullmastiff, or Great Dane can’t enter the SA.

However, know that there are also restrictions that have a religious origin, which means that it’s illegal to import pork products and alcohol. You also can’t have more than one copy of a Bible – it would be considered as spreading religion that is not Isam, which is prohibited by law. Informing yourself in detail which items you shouldn’t pack must be one of the tasks on your relocating abroad checklist.

Why Do So Many Expats Choose Relocation to SA?

Moving internationally to SA is rarely connected to the relocation to another country for love – foreigners move to Riyadh and other cities in the search for a better life and higher standard of living. What holds the most appeal for foreigners is the possibility of having luxuries they can’t achieve in their countries of origin. And the opportunity for expanding horizons from being in touch with different and unique cultures counts only as a plus. So, if these are some of your aspirations, too, ensure to choose an overseas moving company that will help you move as soon as possible and use the most of our guidance to have a worry-free move. Good luck!

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