Saudi Arabia Expat Life: Expat Living in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a land of opportunities for people from across the world. It is a developed country and continuous growth under its visionary leadership is resulting in more employment opportunities. Saudi Arabia is among very few countries in the world with tax-free income and that is a major attraction for expats. With vision 2030 based projects, Saudi Arabia is going through a massive change making it more attractive for professionals and working class from all over the world. Saudi Arabia is the second home of millions of expats who are working and living in the Kingdom. In this article, we will discuss Saudi Arabia Expat Life from different angles and also explain what to expect as an Expat Living in Saudi Arabia.

All You Need to Know About Saudi Arabia Expat Life

Before we talk about specifics of expats life in KSA, let’s first talk of some of the basic information that’s important to know. Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the middle east region. It is part of GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) with GCC headquarter in Riyadh–the capital of KSA. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country with the most sacred and holy cities of Mecca and Medina. For the Muslims across the globe, KSA remains a center of attraction. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from around the world flock towards KSA each year to perform religious rituals like Haj and Umrah.

What You Need to Know About Saudi Culture as an Expat Living in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia has a rich culture dominated by Islamic belief and religious norms. The culture of Saudi Arabia is often categorized as conservative with its roots into old Arabic and Islamic cultural heritage. As an expat, you should know that Saudi Arabia is a strict Islamic country with Shariah principles as the guiding rules. The cultural norms, festivals etc. also reflect the same.

Modesty under Islamic principles is a key part of Saudi life style. As an expat living in Saudi Arabia, you need to understand and respect that. Women in Saudi Arabia are found wearing Abaya which covers their entire body. Wearing any clothing which exposes the body parts is considered as immodest and indecent as per Saudi Culture. Men also need to wear clothes which protect the cultural norms and don’t attribute to any sort of indecency. Drinking Alcohol, prostitution, gambling and many other indecent activities are treated as crime and subject to severe penalties as per local law of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi culture is a family oriented culture where family gatherings are a norm. People gather on various occasions like Eid Ul Fitr, Eid Ul Adha and spend time together. Family gatherings are also common on weekends and even on the evenings. People in Saudi Arabia gather at beaches, deserts, family guest houses, restaurants and other places and enjoy quality time together.

As an expat in Saudi Arabia, you can mix with your Saudi friends and colleagues but not in the mixed gatherings with the females. You can also spend time exploring cultural diversity of the Kingdom by visiting different regions with cultural heritage. One such example is Al Ula cultural heritage. Additionally, you can also explore old cultural beauties and landmarks in different cities. Al Balad in Jeddah down-town is one such example where you can explore old classical buildings.

As a Muslim, you will find a lot of historic and cultural attractions in the cities of Mecca, Medina, Taif and nearby places. These attractions have historic linking to the golden era of prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and the era of great caliphs of Islam.

Expat Life in Saudi Arabia: How’s the Job Market and Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia

Saudi job market is quite lucrative due to zero-tax income and significantly higher salary brackets in comparison to many other countries. Jobs in Saudi Arabia are available to locals as well as expats in different sectors. Although Saudization drive has caused a dent to the opportunities for expats in some sectors; the options still remain abundant for right professionals.

Under vision 2030 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a lot of innovations and new developments are taking place. This has resulted in massive opportunities for professionals in fields like IT, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Medical, Scientific research and other fields related to cutting edge technologies.

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia is a major deciding factors for expats when opting for the job opportunities here. A major factor in this regard is the family levy also known as family tax. Every expat living in Saudi Arabia is obliged to pay 400 Saudi Riyal per month (4800 SR per year) for each dependent. This is a major newly introduced tax which was not there few years before.

In terms of other costs of living in Saudi Arabia, you need to keep below points in mind:

• Housing cost varies from region to region but typically, a 2 bed unfurnished house rental may range between 1500 to 5000 SR. This variation is based on the location and nearby amenities available. Resident in foreigners compounds are more costly but there you also enjoy a more lavish and western life-style.
• Medical expenses are mostly covered under the mandatory insurance that your employer provides. However, most of the insurance policies do have some pre-conditions that you need to consider. Insurance policies are classified as bronze, gold, platinum etc. with different coverage levels.
• Schooling cost for your kids is also a major cost. Local schools are in Arabic which might not be your choice as a foreigner with Arabic not as a native language. Some embassy schools are also there for certain countries (e.g. Indian Embassy School or Pakistan Embassy School) where syllabus of that specific country is being taught. These schools fall in the mid range in terms of expense for the nationals of those countries. The most costly option is the international schools with English as the primary medium. In these schools, expect monthly expense of more than 5K SAR for the students under grade 3 classes.
• Grocery and dine-out expenses depend on your eating habits. 1 Liter full fat milk costs around 11 SR while one Big Mac double up meal will cost you around 39 SR.
• Electricity is another major cost under utility expenses. With scorching hot weathers, you should expect higher consumptions with regular air conditioning. Electricity is charged at 0.18 SR per unit for residential users currently.
• Internet is another basic necessity in KSA. KSA has excellent 4G and 5G coverage in most of its regions. An unlimited 5G package from STC KSA costs you around 402 SR per month. However, various low cost 4G and 5G options are also available from different operators.

What is a Good Expat Salary in Saudi Arabia?

There is no one line answer to this question. Salary range for different professions varies in Saudi Arabia. It also depends on your experience, expertise and past track record. As an example, a Senior Software Engineer can earn a salary of around 25K SR in some medium level organizations with 10+ years of experience. On the other hand, it is also possible to earn more than 30K SR per month in some top level organizations. On the lower side, some small companies may hire a person with same level of experience with the salary around 10K. So, it all depends on your negotiation skills, company’s budgets and market demand for your skill set.

A typical labor job like a construction labor, mason, carpenter, electrician etc. earn significantly lower. As an example, many office boys or gardeners earn less than 1000 SR per month. House drivers are another example of low earning employees in KSA with their earnings typically around 2000 SR.

Best Places to Visit in Saudi Arabia as an Expat

Saudi Arabia is a country with diverse culture, spectacular landscapes and variety of options to explore. KSA also welcomes a large number of tourists with Saudi Arabia Visitor Visa. The list can be really exhaustive, but below are a few major attractions to consider in Saudi Arabia on your visit:

• Al Ula: As mentioned earlier, Al Ula is an ancient city located in the north-western region of Saudi Arabia. If you love visiting places with cultural diversity, It is a must visit place. Al Ula is home to well-preserved archaeological sites, ancient rock art, and traditional architecture.
• Riyadh: The capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a modern metropolitan city. The city has several historical sites, including the Masmak Fortress and the Diriyah historical district.
• Jeddah: Located on the Red Sea coast, Jeddah is a cosmopolitan city. Jeddah is known for its beautiful beaches, historic architecture, and vibrant souqs (markets). Famous Al Balad downtown is also located in Jeddah with many cultural sites to visit. Formula 1 racing track in Jeddah is also an attraction where F1 racing takes place multiple times a year.
• Medina: Madinah is one of the holiest cities in Islam and is home to several important religious sites, including the Prophet’s Mosque and the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Muslims find many historically attractive places in this city during their visit with refreshing memories from the history.
• Makkah: Makkah is the holiest city in Islam and is the site of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The city is home to several important religious sites, including the Kaaba and the Great Mosque of Makkah.
• Taif: Taif is a mountainous city located in the western region of Saudi Arabia that is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Al Hada Mountain range and the Shubra Palace.
• Farasan Islands: The Farasan Islands are a group of islands located in the Red Sea that are known for their crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and marine life.
• Asir National Park: Asir National Park is a stunning natural park located in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. It is known for its rugged mountains, lush forests, and wildlife. Abha is a popular tourist destination in this region with spectacular mountainous views.

Things to Avoid as an Expat Living in Saudi Arabia

As stated earlier, Saudi Arabia is a strict Islamic country and the rules and regulations of the country are enforced strictly. Violating any laws of the country may result in severe penalties and legal consequences. As an expat living in Saudi Arabia, it is your responsibility to follow all the laws and rules and act as a responsible resident or visitor.

Below are a few important point that you should consider and the things that you should avoid when staying in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as an expat:

• Never try to violate labor laws and make sure that you work in accordance to your employment contract. Working illegally for another employer is a crime and subject to severe punishments and deportation.
• Respect the religious belief and cultural norms. Don’t indulge in any such activities which may fall under religious hatred, blasphemy or any act that goes against cultural limitations and norms of the country.
• Ensure that you adhere to the dressing and attitude decency. Don’t wear any such clothes which are considered indecent as per local culture and religious belief. Respect local laws about alcohol drinking, dating, gambling etc.
• Respect the privacy of others and don’t indulge into any activities which go against it.
• Always use legal means for sending and receiving money. Don’t involve in any illegal charity or money collection drives. Terror financing is strictly prohibited and never involve in any such campaign or activity which is suspected to have any such potential motives.

Bottom Line: Saudi Arabia Expat Life is Fun and Worthy If You Know How to Benefit From It

The conclusion is that the life of an expat in Saudi Arabia can be quite lucrative and filled with fun and enjoyment if planned properly. With a good job, decent income and a balanced life-style, you can benefit in all means from your stay in KSA. You can do a great saving for your investment plans as well as for your retirement planning. Excellent End of Service Benefits offered by Saudi Labor Law are another topping on it. Just ensure that you adhere to the laws and regulation and try to mix up and coexist with the local culture and then you will start loving it.