Expectations as an Expat in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The truth is a big chunk of the population is composed of expats from around the world who managed to work and stay here for long with their families.

Here are some information you need for your decision making:

1   1.    EMPLOYMENT:  Salary is tax free, yes you read it right.  Accommodation, transportation, medical insurance, vacation pay/airfare, family visa and a lot of other benefits are also FREE, meaning, companies pay for it and included as expenses in their company financial statements. Regarding the company accommodation, almost everything is already provided like furniture (drawers, cabinets, etc.) and appliances (refrigerator, air con, heater, microwave, etc.).  Food allowance is given for some but for many companies, it’s on their option. Food is cheap and affordable since there are no taxes added on the costs.

If you opted to live outside the company accommodation, the company in general pays you in cash which is added to your payroll. Usually, housing is 25% of your basic plus 10 % to cover transportation expenses. Labor employees are usually staying in company accommodation since the percentage of basic sometimes is not enough to pay rents and others.  Nurses usually stay in the accommodation of the company. Majority are taking advantage on moving out since they are earning more by renting a cheaper accommodation and the rest is savings. Same with transportation allowance which is much more than the actual payments.

For employees with family status, many companies, depending on policy limitations, pay for the family visas, medical insurance and airfare to mention few. There are international schools available anywhere so there is nothing to worry about children’s education.

Many said, if you are looking for savings, here is one of the best places but you want a very liberated country but have to work 2 or three time folds, the west and east have a lot to offer.

2    2.       RULES and REGULATIONS:  In general, Saudi Arabia is really peaceful. Rare news on crimes do occur, which are on the daily basis in other countries, and it can spread in an instant around the world as it is not a common thing here.

Many times, I am confident that nothing bad will happen while walking around even at night with my watch and smartphone visible or wallet and bag at the back. No one would dare to take it since the punishment is cutting your stupid hand.

Just be aware that everything is fine as long as you don’t have a criminal mind and be aware of the following few tips:

a.       Say “Assalam Alaykum / peace be with you” or respond “(wa) alaykum Salam / (and) peace be with you also” when greeting anyone, an introduction to a discussion, upon entering an elevator, an office or just in the park. That’s like saying hello or hi even when you don’t know them.

b.      Always bring with you your residence permit/ Iqama.

c.       Register your finger print and residence permit on your mobile number.

d.      Liquor is prohibited. You can always live without it, believe me or not. If by chance that you got a visa to UAE or Bahrain which are near and more open to such, you can enjoy the taste if you want. Smoking is common.

e.      Pork is prohibited in the whole kingdom same with illegal drugs and the like.

f.        Make it a habit to shake hand with other people of same gender or give documents always using your right hand only (cleaner hand as they say).

g.       When entering an elevator where there is a woman inside or with her family, don’t enter at all or check signs if it’s okay with them.

h.      Be careful not to bump women in sidewalks or in the groceries or simply anywhere, they are precious so keep distance if you want to avoid trouble.

i.         Taking pictures should be avoided in malls or in parks since there are women around, you will be notified by guards to stop or delete the photos.

j.        Men and women are not allowed to be together in a taxi, unless they have a marriage certificate or if there is a couple inside.

k.       When falling in line, give way to women is a number 1 rule, so choose a lane in the center where women will not take chance to insert themselves, just kidding! There’s a separate lane for family or women.

Men and women usually have separate areas like for example in the restaurant or in the park, families are divided into group of men and on the other side, a group of women. It’s common that only men are working in the whole building or office, or you cannot see women in the bank and so many examples. Men and women are sometimes asked for their papers when eating in a mall restaurant especially in the capital.

2    3.     DRESS CODE: For women, they are required to wear a hijab in public places, a black dress paired with a veil. For men, just anything as long as it is proper. It is a very long tradition of protecting women from malicious eyes of men.

4.     FOOD & DRINKS: Almost all you want are available in the grocery stores. Again, no pork at all and you cannot find any alcoholic drinks. 

4    5.       SOCIALIZATION: You can always find ways to entertain yourselves like going out to malls, parks, coffee shops, simple party inside your flats or browse the social media.  Anything with pornographic videos and pictures are blocked but you can find ways if you are really want. During weekends, expats can be seen biking in group in the sea sides even women. You can go to beaches or catch fishes. Many sport clubs available for badminton, basketball, bowling, etc. Professional organizations are also available if you opt to join and enjoy their various activities.

Hopefully you got some common information you need before deciding whether to come here or not.