Vincent Dall Aglio

Even though Saudi Arabia has experienced significant changes in the past years, the local real estate market remains quite promising. With that, there are still very few expats who opt for buying housing in the country. Instead, most expats living in Saudi Arabia prefer to rent, save their money, and invest it back home. However, if you are considering staying in Saudi Arabia for the long term and are looking into purchasing real estate, this article offers a helpful overview of your options.

Overlooking the Red Sea, Yanbu is deemed to be Saudi Arabia's second industrial city after Jubail, which is found on the Persian Gulf. In fact, Yanbu hosts many petrochemical refineries that occupy 24 km of coastline and are over 7 km inland. As you have guessed, the petrochemical refinery is this city's major economic pillar. Proximity to the Suez Canal makes Yanbu a strategically important hub for export and trade with European and African markets.

Saudi Arabia's real estate sector boom in the past several years can be primarily attributed to the millions of expats who call this country home. Even though many of them have left the Kingdom due to the Saudization process or the lower economic performance of the country, still thousands of foreigners relocate to Saudi Arabia every year, often with their families who have been offered a job.

Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia, comprising millions of expats who have come to work. The city is the biggest of all in the country, and rapid growth projects are taking place daily. Riyadh is nominated as the city of all governing authorities as it is home to diplomatic quarters and embassies in particular. The city is said to be the most affluent region in Saudi Arabia since many members of the Royal family live there. 

To become a resident in Saudi Arabia, you will need to apply for a residence permit, also known as the Iqama. The procedure for getting an Iqama is usually the expat employer's obligation. The local sponsor has to apply and secure a work permit for expatriates who arrive in Saudi Arabia with an employment visa. The expat is responsible for getting their own family members' Iqama(s), and they have to make sure to get an Iqama for every member of their immediate family (if permissible). Below, you will find the procedures, rules, and limitations of the Iqama.

Yanbu, which is found near the Red Sea, is deemed to be a port and industrial city. Situated on the ancient incense and spices route from Yemen and Egypt and the Mediterranean region, Yanbu's port today enables 3 million barrels/day export of crude oil, thanks to its proximity to the Suez Canal. That eases access to the European, African and Middle Eastern markets.

Jubail is a city in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, and it has a population of around 500,000 people. It is also home to the largest industrial city in the world — the Saudi Arabia Jubail Industrial City. Due to its rapid growth as one of Saudi Arabia's major industrial hubs, Jubail is a highly populated expat destination in Saudi Arabia. If you are interested in working in Jubail, this article is a good place to start your research.

Al-Khobar is the dynamic metropolitan city of the Eastern Province. Along with Dammam and Dhahran, the cities form the so-called Greater Dammam, given the small distance between the two cities and their similarities. Khobar is home to some of the biggest malls and entertainment centers in Saudi Arabia. The large expat community residing in Al-Khobar and nearby has helped Khobar become the diverse, bustling city it is today.

At the point when oil exports started in the late 1930s, the regressive desert state experienced an abrupt rise thanks to its dynamic workforce. Saudi Arabia had neither the mastery nor the human resources to sustain its rapidly developing economy. Since then, the country has opened its doors to foreign manpower. In 1970, 1 million foreign workers were employed in Saudi Arabia. As of 2023, the foreign population accounted for around 14 million workers, making up about 41.6% of the country's population as a whole.

Jeddah is the most diverse city in Saudi Arabia. It is home to 3,75 million people and to the largest multicultural expatriate community in the region. The city is often referred to as the business capital of Saudi Arabia. Known as the Bride of the Red Sea, Jeddah lies on its eastern coast, which is a drive for domestic tourism.

As the capital city of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is one of the biggest urban communities in the country and is home to a large number of expats. Riyadh is known to be the heart of Saudi Arabia, the place where decisions are taken. Most government agencies and ministries are located there, as well as foreign embassies. 

Until September 2019, Saudi Arabia was officially a closed country. Tourists were allowed to visit it only occasionally when events were occurring. Today, after a major change in its visa policy, tourist visas are available all year round, and nationals from 66 countries can apply online or even receive their visa on arrival. Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) can visit Saudi Arabia without a visa. The rest has to proceed via the embassies. You cannot use the tourist visa for purposes other than tourism. If you wish to move to Saudi Arabia, you will have to apply for the appropriate visa. Here is a list of available visas and related procedures.

Saudi Arabia is a country that holds marriage and family as one of its core values. It is a privilege to get married and a huge accomplishment to settle and start a family. Unfortunately, getting married in Saudi Arabia isn't an easy process for expatriates. In fact, it is generally advised that you register your marriage outside the country. This article offers a brief overview of marriage, divorce and child custody laws in Saudi Arabia.

Being the Saudi capital city, Riyadh is a city of opportunities for expats looking to live and work there, but life can get tricky if you don't know anyone yet. Professional networking can be a real asset in getting things done, especially if you're looking for  job opportunities or to set up a business. Here's how to get started.

Moving to a new city is never easy, especially if you have chosen to leave your friends and family. Then comes the time to socialize, make new friends, and get life going in your new city. Here are some tips to help you develop and expand your social circle in Riyadh.

Moving to a city like Riyadh, especially from a non-Muslim country, will take some adjusting to. One of the first things you will become aware of is that life in Riyadh is guided by a number of social and religious rules that you may find to be quite restrictive at first. Learning about the way of life in Riyadh in advance and keeping an open mind can make your transition to life in the city much smoother.

There are some unwritten rules for networking and it is best to follow them in order to make a good impression and not offend others. This is valid whether there is a dress code or not, even when the occasion seems casual. Here are some tips.

Riyadh is considered the most beautiful city in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for many reasons, including the climate, cultural heritage and norms, its booming economy and vibrant scene, the beauty of the religion, and much more. Let's find out what makes Riyadh an ideal place to live as an expat.

Saudi Arabia is the biggest country in the Middle East. Its growing population and the exponential expat community have grown to cultivate Saudi Arabia's leisure landscape. No matter what your interests are, you are sure to find something that you can enjoy, whether alone or with your mates and your family.

Below you will find everything you need to know about making calls in Saudi Arabia, as well as a list of important contacts.

Just a few years ago, Saudi Arabia was known as very selective in its acceptance of visitors — and traveling to Saudi Arabia for tourism used to be an impossible task. In 2019, everything changed — Saudi Arabia opened up for tourists, and many of the strict rules for expats working and living here and for the visitors were abolished. With more and more international and regional events, conferences, and conventions being hosted in Saudi Arabia, there is an increasing number of tourists entering the Kingdom on tourist visas.

The city of Riyadh flaunts eateries, bistros, and bars of various patterns for all tastes and budgets. In general, these places are the most sought after by expats looking to discover both international and ethnic cuisines. If you're one of them, let's embark on a culinary tour of the capital city of Saudi Arabia.

One of the most rewarding things about relocating to Saudi Arabia used to be its tax-free society. Find out exactly how that has changed and how it will benefit you.

With Saudi businesses increasing by 16 percent in the final quarter of 2023 and a 23% increase in commercial registrations, business is booming in Saudi Arabia. The reforms ongoing in the country, both at the business and the social levels, are favorable for prospective investors.

A city of opportunities of all kinds, Riyadh is a fantastic place to live in. Whether you're moving there alone or with your family, discover the various outdoor activities that are awaiting you in your free time.

One of the first and most important tasks for expats in Saudi Arabia is to get their bank accounts open and understand banking procedures. For starters, in order to receive your salary deposit, you must have a local bank account. Once you open your account, you will be able to settle your monthly utility bills and money transfers. You can actually open and operate your account online via the governmental portal, Absher app, and bank applications.

Saudi Arabia was famously known for its conservative society and rules of modesty. Recently, major social changes have been underway in the country making settling in Saudi Arabia much easier.

When reading about looking for work in Saudi Arabia, you will probably come across the term “saudization”, also known as Nitaqat. This term has been prevalent in Saudi Arabia for about a decade now, and you will probably be seeing it quite often, as it is considered to be one of the major hurdles when it comes to building a career in the country as an expat. So, what is saudization, and how exactly can it affect your career prospects in Saudi Arabia?

Working in Riyadh can come with many benefits, whether you are a young professional or an expert in your field. As Saudi Arabia's capital and a rapidly developing economic power, Riyadh has a lot to offer to those who come here to build their careers. You will not only gain experience working in a new environment and mixing with other professionals but also be able to benefit from the 100% tax-exempt wages.

Once you decide to make the big move to Saudi Arabia, make sure you put aside enough time to prepare beforehand. Depending on your situation, you may choose to ship some or all of your personal items, such as furniture, sporting goods, appliances etc. Otherwise, you can find everything needed for a household available in the Kingdom.

Performing an internship in Saudi Arabia can be an interesting and enriching experience for young professionals. It will not only give you exposure to a different lifestyle but also will help you acquire professional experience from a wealthy and prosperous country. It can also be very valuable in terms of networking with professionals in your field.

While having a child in a foreign country may seem quite overwhelming at first, with the right research and preparation, your experience in Saudi Arabia can be no different from that back home.

Moving to Riyadh as an international student can be challenging due to cultural contrasts. However, with proper research, you'll discover that student life can be interesting, diverse, and full of new discoveries.

Dammam, the Eastern province's capital city, is a very dynamic city in Saudi Arabia, almost as much as Khobar. It is the 6th largest city in Saudi Arabia. Administratively, Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province which is the largest Province of Saudi Arabia. About 5 million people live in the province, including almost 3 million in the Greater Dammam area.

Finding a job in Saudi Arabia is mostly done before entering the country. Employment visas are still the most issued type of visa in Saudi Arabia, even though the country has started issuing tourist visas since September 2019.

Value Added Tax was first introduced in Saudi Arabia in 2018 at the rate of 5%. It is now 15% following a decision to increase it in July 2020.

If there was one adjective that could describe dating in Saudi Arabia, it would be the word 'discreet'. Dating is not really something people talk about  in Saudi Arabia. This doesn't mean that it doesn't exist - but you will most definitely find it more challenging than back home.

Khobar is the metropolitan city of the Eastern Province. It is widely recognized as the happy medium between Dammam and Dhahran. Separated by a mere 15 km from both cities of the Eastern Province, it is perfectly situated on the Persian Gulf Coast. Like Jeddah, Khobar is widely known for its seaside and relaxed and fairly open lifestyle. Once a fishing port, today the city is an important import-export center.

Jubail is Saudi Arabia's industrial hub; in fact, it's the largest industrial city in the Middle East. Continuously developing, it is deemed to be the biggest project of its kind in the whole world. The city attracts a large number of expats who are employed in various sectors. A place primarily composed of petrochemical companies, factories and refineries, Jubail is where many expats decide to settle for work.

Jeddah is often dubbed the 'New York' of Saudi Arabia. It is heavily populated, hosting the most diverse expat community in the region. With millions of foreigners calling Jeddah home, finding accommodation here can get a bit hectic.

Dammam is the capital city of the Eastern Province, which is made up of smaller cities that, together, form the Greater Dammam Area, or Dammam Metropolis. Dammam is a beautiful city, while still being a bustling metropolitan area, offering the best of both a quiet oasis and the perks of urban living.

Nowadays, it's safe to say that telecommunication is an essential part of our lives in that it helps us to keep in touch with the outside world. Deciding to move to Saudi Arabia means that you most likely will be leaving your family and friends back home.