Moving To Saudi Arabia From US

To be quite precise, Expats come to Saudi for work. Although finding a job in the country is difficult, Salaries in Saudi are available for qualified, skilled, and willing positions. Despite the economy being affected by the lower oil prices, there are plenty of job opportunities waiting for expats. The oil industry remains the major employer for 10 million expats in the country. Besides this, a huge number of expats have jobs in IT, banking and financial services, Healthcare and medicine, teaching(women), construction, urban planning, resource management, service sector, or telecommunications. Furthermore, with the rise in investment in urban planning, food processing, transport infrastructure, and water resource management have lucrative opportunities for foreigners.

Maximum expats working in Saudi were contracted initially in their previous city of residence. The new push for ‘Saudization’ by the government has however made things a bit complicated. For women, the teaching sector has excellent job opportunities. If you have relevant skills and qualifications, you can apply to a private school provided that you have a work visa. You can even provide private English tuition. The British Council in Saudi assists individuals who wish to work in this sector.

Working in Saudi reaps extensive financial benefits. Compared to the US and UK, Saudi offers a higher salary for the same work. Moreover, the fact that there are no rules for paying personal income taxes, you get to boost your net income. With the absence of social security, there are no cutoffs from your monthly payout. However, with the high income, you need to invest in private health insurance and contribute to a corporate pension plan whilst you stay in Saudi.

Encouraging entrepreneurship and creating small/medium-sized businesses are highly discouraged. Although few expats opt for this route because of bureaucratic hindrances. However, this calls for excellent Saudi business partners, unclear formalities, and high start-up costs.

In case you wish to switch your job, you need the approval of your employer. Expats are restricted and banned from opting for 41 distinct jobs. Workplaces are friendly and have a diverse culture with a big number of expats. Nepotism is a major factor in Saudi Arabia. Business owners employ family members as they give priority to family.

Several companies work according to the lunar Hijri calendar while some follow the Gregorian or international calendar. There are no holidays on Sundays but Fridays and Saturdays. Work hours may be confusing due to split shifts(8:00 to noon, 15:00 to 19:00). Government Offices are open from 7:30 to 14:30. Working hours are limited to 8 hours a day(10 hours with overtime)/48 hours a week(60 hours with overtime) under law.

Healthcare in Saudi is excellent yet expensive. Public healthcare is outstanding and free for every Saudi citizen. However, expats cannot enjoy this public facility. Being a foreigner, expats need to opt for private healthcare by taking private healthcare insurance in Saudi. Usually, private health insurance is mandatory for expats and is provided by the employer. Besides being costly, you can rest assured that you will receive excellent healthcare with zero waiting lists. However, expats working for the government can access the public healthcare sector. Language is not a barrier as most doctors are foreigners communicating in English.

The 3 major urban cities own incredible medical, hospital, and healthcare facilities. Medications are vastly available at the clinics. However, bear in mind what you cannot carry to the country unless you have a prescription. Antidepressants, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills are highly controlled here. Usual health hazards involve respiratory problems, heat exhaustion, and choking dust storms. Having an excellent healthcare reputation in the entire Middle East, the medical facilities match with the US and European clinics in the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh.

For all non-Saudis, Health insurance became mandatory in 2005. They should renew it before requesting a new iqama(residential permit). Although you can get basic health insurance in your expat package, many residents take extra coverage. For newborns and infants, the basic vaccines are available free of charge.

Education in Saudi is free of cost in gender-segregated primary, intermediate, and secondary schools. The study of Islam dominates the entire education system at all levels. It is a compulsory subject at the university level as well. The instruction medium is Arabic although English is considered as a second language. Emphasizing entirely on religious studies, the education system has crashed to a great extent. It has failed to provide marketable and technical skills to young Saudis. However, the government is taking steps to improve the education system.

Schooling in Saudi involves two methods: Private and International.

Foreign children cannot opt for Local schools but private schools. Many times, private schools are governed by the government to make sure it matches the education standards and curriculum of the state schools. One exceptional advantage of a private school for expats is the limitations. The language of instruction will be in English and classes will be co-educational. Expat families moving to Saudi Arabia from the US opt for international schools which are situated in the cities of Al-Khobar, Jeddah, and Riyadh. Some of the international schools follow Indian, British, American, and Pakistani curricula. The International schools affiliated with the Saudi government do not accept third-country students but have pre-school, primary, and secondary all under one roof.

Pro tip: Respecting religion comes first. You need to have a huge adapting and flexible ability in case you are not a part of a restrictive and Conservative society. Everything takes place according to the teachings of the Quran. Expats are highly expected to comply with the rules of living.