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KINGDOM OF

SAUDI ARABIARELOCATION

IntroductionThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation

Council) and is the most dominant country in the region. With a population of

nearly 33 million people and growing every year, it is a huge centre of industry,

commerce and investment with a diverse economy, stratified economic classes

and offers a wealth of opportunity for expats considering to work there.

Expats have been working in Saudi Arabia for decades. They were initially

attracted by the oil and gas industry as well as the variety of diversified family

conglomerates and the construction sector.

Saudi Arabia has become the world's largest oil producer and exporter,

controlling the world's second largest oil reserves and the sixth largest gas

reserves. The Kingdom is categorized as a World Bank high-income economy with a high Human Development Index and is the

only Arab country to be part of the G-20 major economies. However, the economy of Saudi Arabia is the least diversified in the Gulf

Cooperation Council, lacking any significant service or production sector. This is indeed changing, leading to opportunities in this area.

This document will offer some useful advice,

the advantages, challenges and important

points to consider for those looking at a

potential move to the region. This is based

on real knowledge and experience from the

people we find employment for, companies

we work with and our experience of recruiting

into KSA for the last 10 years.

Saudi Arabia: Facts and Figures

Population: Approx. 33,000,000

Size: 830,000 sq miles

Government: Absolute Monarchy-House of Saud

Established: 1932

Current Ruler: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Capital: Riyadh (5.18 million)

Religion: Islam

Language: Arabic (official)

GDP: $1.8 trillion

Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR)

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Relocation

Why Move to Saudi Arabia?It is clear that the country is in need of talent and respects expat

workers and professionals to lead, grow and run businesses and

organisations there. This in turn can offer unrivalled opportunity,

experience and exposure to those seeking an overseas

assignment or change of environment.

In addition, there is a rich cultural experience, chance to visit and

travel easily to other parts of the world and an overall adventure

for oneself and family in a unique, exciting and dynamic part of

the world.

In addition to the economy providing opportunities for expats in

the past, there is additional pace, change and incentive now with

the ambitious plans for change and reform that are taking place

under the stewardship of HRH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin

Salman. ‘MBS’, as he is known, is 32 years old, and is next in line

to the throne, overseeing change and diversification on a scale

never seen before in KSA. His programme of change called Vision

2030, is a huge reform for all government entities, investment,

development and change across almost every aspect of Saudi

life. Not least does it include a partial floating of Saudi Aramco,

the world’s largest oil company.

All of this is driving a need for expat employment and opportunity,

set amid a landscape of change and reform that is actually

making life in Saudi Arabia more enjoyable as they change some

of their traditional strict Islamic codes of conduct.

Saudi's Vision 2030 is a plan to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence

on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors

such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.

Goals include reinforcing economic and investment activities,

increasing non-oil industry trade between countries through

goods and consumer products, and increasing government

spending on infrastructure and services across the country.

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 lays out targets for diversification and

improving competitiveness. It is built around three main themes

which set out specific objectives that are to be achieved by the

year of 2030.

1. A vibrant society: urbanism, culture and entertainment,

sports, Umrah, UNESCO heritage sites, life expectancy.

2. A thriving economy: Employment, women in the workforce,

international competitiveness, Public Investment Fund, Foreign

Direct Investment, private sector, non-oil exports

3. An ambitious nation: Non-oil revenues, government

effectiveness and e-government, household savings and income,

non-profits and volunteering

All of this change has meant that there is a huge amount of

opportunity, employment in key roles and social change which

is of benefit to the expats. The effect of Vision 2030 will be

noticeable and cannot be ignored in any aspect of Saudi life,

which is why they’ve been included here.

What is Vision 2030?

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Relocation

Social Change in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia has begun the groundwork

for momentous change, defying its

conservative reputation for slow, cautious

reforms by announcing more liberal

changes such as women being able to

drive, the return of movie theatres and to

issue tourist visas.

King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz and his

32-year-old son and heir, Crown Prince

Mohammad Bin Salman, have upended

decades of royal family protocol, social

norms and traditional ways of doing

business. They bet instead on a young

generation of Saudis hungry for change

and a Saudi public fed up of corruption

and government bureaucracy.

In June 2018, the Kingdom plans to

begin issuing driving licences to women,

even allowing them to drive motorcycles,

according to local reports. It will be a huge

change for women who have had to rely

on costly male drivers or male relatives

to get to work or school or to run errands

and visit friends.

Women are now allowed to attend sporting

matches in national stadiums, where they

were previously banned. Designated

“family sections” will ensure women are

separate from male-only quarters of the

stadiums.

After more than 35 years, movie theatres

will return to the Kingdom. They were shut

down in the 1980s during a wave of ultra-

conservatism. Many Saudi clerics view

Western movies and even Arabic films as

sinful. The first theatres are expected to

open in March. The opening of cinemas

will give families and young Saudis

another way to kill time as the crown

prince introduces more entertainment

options to encourage local spending.

The Kingdom will begin issuing its first

tourist visas in 2018 and announced

plans to build a semi-autonomous Red

Sea destination where strict rules of dress

need not apply.

In a bid to attract even greater foreign

investment, the crown prince held a

massive investment conference days

before the anti-corruption sweep. He

also announced plans for a hub for

technological innovation. The futuristic

city will be funded by the Kingdom's

sovereign wealth fund, which the prince

oversees, as well as the Saudi government

and a range of private and international

investors.

More projects and social changes seem to

be happening on a weekly basis and the

pace of change is rapid. One thing is for

sure - the country is not the same place it

was 3 years ago and in 3 years’ time will

not be as it is today.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Relocation

Social Etiquette and Rules

Whilst all of this change is great, there remain some laws and rules that you should be aware of and abide

by as an expat in a foreign country.

Alcohol is banned.

Women should wear an Abaya in public, but head scarves are not compulsory any longer.

You should refrain from holding hands and public displays of affection. This also is applicable in the UAE and the GCC.

Gambling is banned in KSA as well as in the UAE.

Look out for the family sections of cafes and restaurants; if you are male who is alone, don't go in.

Certain beaches in Jeddah are expat only and you can wear swimwear, bikinis, shorts, etc. Locals are

banned from here. This is not the case in public beaches elsewhere.

Only shake Muslim females' hand if offered by her, otherwise a simple hello or hold your hand over your heart.

Only use your right hand for shaking hands or for handing anything. It’s considered rude to use your left

hand in Islam.

Respect the religion. Shops, cafes etc. will close for a short while during prayer times.

Shops and many services are closed on Fridays, the holy day. The working week is Sunday-Thursday.

Ramadan is the Holy Month where Muslims fast during daylight hours.

Do not have any water or food visibly in public during this time, even in your car, or you risk fines.

No dress code exists for children.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Relocation

AccommodationMost expats find themselves living in expatriates' compounds in Saudi Arabia. This expat housing is like living in a small self-contained

holiday park. The better ones have multiple pools, restaurants, markets, and so on. Within the compounds the dress is Western, some

going as far as banning any form of Saudi dress and Saudis not allowed.

Generally, accommodation on Western compounds in KSA is of reasonable quality and quite spacious. Compound living is quite

expensive compared to living off compound (Anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000SAR for a 3 bed villa or even more), but most

Westerners choose this way of life due to freedom and security, as well as the facilities.

In addition to the creature comforts that the self-contained space allows, the neighborhoods also cultivate opportunities for expats to

meet like-minded individuals and to create relationships that ease their transition into new communities. It happens that a strong spirit

of camaraderie springs from those who share similar lifestyles, and expatriate compound living is no exception.

Useful links:Riyadh Forum expat.com

Real estate professionals in Riyadh expat.com

ArRiyadh www.arriyadh.com

Dubizzle www.saudi.dubizzle.com

Lamudi www.en.saudi.lamudi.com

Some Example Compounds in Riyadh:Al Hamra Oasis Village www.alhamra.com.sa

Al Mostaqbal Homes www.almostaqbalhomes.com

Al Ola Real Estate www.alolaest.com

Al Showaier Real Estate www.alshowaier.com

Al Yamamah Resort www.gtandalusia.com

Cordoba Oasis Village www.cordoba.com.sa

Dhabab Gardens www.dhababgardens.com

Eid Villas www.eidvillas.com.sa

FAL Residential Compound www.falcompound.org

Jadawel International www.jadawelinternational.com

Kingdom City www.kingdom-city.com

We can provide you with some additional specific info for other lcoations in Saudi Arabia such as Jeddah, Dammam, Khobar, Jubail if requied.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Relocation

Schooling One of the concerns you may have if you are considering to bring

your family might be education. Rest assured that the quality of

international schools and private schools for expats is high. The

downside is they are not cheap, so if your employer can pay

some or all of the fees , it is a big advantage. But regardless

there is an excellent range of schools catering for all nationalities

including British, European and American syllabuses. Schools

are modern, have small class sizes and strong performances.

Link to schools in Riyadh

http://lifeinsaudiarabia.net/blog/2014/11/01/list-of-schools-in-

riyad/

HealthcareThe Kingdom's top hospitals are staffed largely by expatriates,

use high-quality, imported surgical and diagnostic gear and follow

the protocol used in leading American hospitals. The country

has made considerable efforts to make such facilities available

to its indigenous population and it's six million expatriates. In

2005, the Kingdom recognised that free healthcare for foreign

nationals was unsustainable, and introduced compulsory

medical insurance. The move was later adopted in other parts

of the Gulf and widely in Europe. Therefore, your company will

provide, by law, full medical insurance for you and your family

members. This will be free of charge to you and part of your

salary package.

You should check individual cover for factors such as, direct

billing, international cover, sports cover, dental etc.

Visas and processIf a person intends to work in Saudi Arabia, they are required

to apply for a work visa, known as an Iqama (Arabic for visa).

The employment contract, academic or professional credential

documents, and the results of a comprehensive medical

examination must be presented to the Saudi Embassy/Consulate

in the applicant’s home country. This will ultimately lead to a

visa number, allowing the applicant to be issued their visa. The

visa will usually be valid for the length of time that the sponsor

company has requested.

Residency visas for Saudi ArabiaThese are issued to visitors wishing to live in Saudi Arabia, such

as the wives and children of those who are currently working

in the Kingdom (note that exit and re-entry visas to leave the

Kingdom are required for holders of a residence visa). The

approval of this visa can only be obtained from the Department

of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia.

Certain individuals could be restricted entry into Saudi Arabia.

These include passengers with links to Israel and those who

do not comply with Saudi regulations, including conventions of

behaviour and dress.

Your new employer will take responsibility for handling and

processing the visa application process and the company’s

representative will be in touch requesting the information and

explaining the process to you.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Relocation

Other Reasons for living in Saudi ArabiaIn addition to the work opportunities, there may be some other advantages to consider when deciding on an expat role in the Kingdom

1. Earnings

2. Weather

3. Career

4. Lifestyle

5. Travel

As you know, your salary is tax free. That’s a huge difference to countries where you can regularly

pay 40-50%+. Salaries are higher here than in most parts of the world, tax free and you will have

the ability to most likely save money that would have not been possible before.

It’s a fact that most people consider working in Saudi Arabia for the financial reward.

We basically get sunshine all year round. Admittedly, for 3 or 4 months of the year it's too hot to

really go outside and air-conditioning takes over so you can cope; but for the rest of the time it's

almost guaranteed that you can enjoy outdoor living, beaches, pools, etc. You acclimatise to the

higher temperatures so 30 degrees doesn’t really feel that warm anymore. The summers are long

and tough, but manageable; with holidays home/overseas, you can break it up whilst you wait for

the cooler weather to return.

It is only a good thing for a CV if you have some time overseas and will benefit your ability to work

in other cultures and learn how to do business in other places. Saudi can be one of the hardest

places to do business, but also one of the most rewarding and exciting. Employers will look upon

that with great interest as you demonstrate your adaptability and global business skills.

Because of the relatively cheap cost of living, you can afford a good lifestyle here. Maids, nannies,

drivers, cleaners, gardeners, etc. are all common place for expats. Regular holidays, travel, cars (if

you prefer) are all possible. Obviously these things depend on your preference, salary and desires,

but there is no doubt that quality of life and lifestyle are improved, otherwise we wouldn't be here!

Take advantage of the fact that Saudi Arabia is in the middle of the globe. The people who benefit

the most from living here exploit this fact and get the most out of the experience. Saudi has

international airports in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah with Dubai (world’s busiest airport) only 2

hours away. The National Carrier Saudi Airlines is a global airline with excellent standards of comfort

reliability and safety.

Some examples of approx. flight times from Riyadh:

· Dubai - 2 hours

· Abu Dhabi - 2 hours

· Jordan - 2 hours

· Egypt - 2 hours 30 minutes

· Oman - 2 hours

· Bahrain (F1 Grand Prix)

· Kathmandu (Himalayas)

· Sri Lanka - 5 hours 30 minutes

· Maldives - 7 hours

· Seychelles - 5 hours

· Mauritius - 7 hours

· Cape Town - 11 hours

· Moscow - 7 hours

· Thailand - 8 hours

· Malaysia - 7 hours

· Australia - 17 hours

· Greece/Cyprus - 6/7 hours

· Paris/Rome/London - 6/7 hours

· India - 4 hours

· Pakistan - 5 hours

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Relocation

6. Shopping

7. Food/Drink

8. Culture

Saudi is a shoppers paradise. New malls are opening on a regular basis and all designer shops and

high street brands are here. You will find large malls with extensive shopping options for everyone

catering for western retail habits in a comfortable and often luxurious manner. Check out Faisaliah

mall in Riyadh www.alfaisaliahmall.com as an example.

There is a surprisingly wide array of cuisines available in Saudi Arabia as well as some high-end

quality restaurants. These are continuing to open especially in Riyadh and the range of food on

offer gets better each year. In addition, there is of course the local food to try, or maybe you want

to smoke shisha with mint tea to get an authentic Arabic experience?

In addition to experiencing the local cultures and learning about the famous Arabic hospitality, you

will quickly learn how welcoming and friendly Saudis can be; there are some interesting places to

visit in Saudi itself. Saudi Arabia is as diverse in its landscapes as it is in its culture and traditions,

from desert fortresses and mountain ranges to magnificent fish and coral reefs.

Here are some of the sites and regions that are most popular among domestic, regional and

international tourists.

Al-Soudah mountains near Abha are home to the Rijal Al-Ma’a mud brick village, located above the clouds. The beautiful buildings are accentuated with gleaming white quartz and colorful paint.

Wahba Crater, to the south of Madinah, is one of the most visited sites. It was once thought to have been formed by a meteorite, but geologists found it to be the result of a collapsed volcanic cavity. The crater is accessible to the public.

Al-Qara Mountain of Al-Hofuf, with its famous lime caves, provides the illusion of a castle in the rocks. The area was once an island where centuries of wind and waves have shaped the winding pathways, towering boulders and hidden caves.

Qassim is home to the longest valley in the Arabian Peninsula, stretching approximately 600 km across the desert. It contains more than 8 million palm trees, considered to be the largest date farmland in the world.

The Arar region is best known for its historical and archaeological sites that date back to the pre-Islamic era. Many valleys are home to fertile, wild vegetation. Famous ruins include Dukrah Palace and the old archaeological site of Lainah.

Rawdat Khuraim, also called the King’s Forest, is a great getaway from the busy capital. This desert area is spectacular during winter and spring, where patches of green oasis appear after rainfall.

Abha is home of the Green Mountain and is one of the top tourist destinations during summer due to its mild weather and lush greenery. It is 2,200 meters above the Red Sea, making the weather pleasant all year round.

Najran has to be one of the most colorful sites in the Kingdom. The area is home to one of the richest and most diverse cultures, dating back hundreds of years, with many treasures uncovered and well-preserved by locals and the government of Najran Province.

Al-Ula is one of the oldest known towns in the Arabian Peninsula, and home to ancient civilizations such as the Dedan and Lihyan. The town was founded in 600BCE in a valley with a magnificent view of nearby snow-capped mountains and palm groves surrounded by red-sandstone cliffs. Nearby lie the great Nabatean tombs of Mada’in Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was home to great civilizations such as the Thamudis, Lihyan, Dedan and the Roman Empire.

Farasan Islands, in the southwest of the Kingdom, is an archipelago of 84 coral islands that look like a coral from space. They are reachable via ferry from Jazan port. The islands are considered to be a marine sanctuary, with fantastic visibility and an abundance of marine life

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Relocation