Working freelance from Saudi Arabia

sydmirza1 · 2019-07-08T09:07:57+02:00

Hi all! Great to be here. This is a question about working freelance from Saudia Arabia. Scenario Let's say that someone is a freelance technology worker, which means they can work from home, or anywhere. Their company simply transfers their salary into their account at the end of the month. There is no office and everyone works remotely, while communicating through different tools. Let's say this person decides to move to Saudia from the UK. Question a) Dubai currently offers a Freelance visa that such people can avail (See: gofreelance.ae). They can work from Dubai, but work for companies in UK, US etc The company will send their income in their Dubai bank account. Does Saudia have something like this, or is it only a business visa? (which might be expensive) b) If a peron's iqama is sponsored by an IT firm in Saudi Arab, but salary comes from US into their Saudi account, does that run afoul of the law or is that okay to do so? Thank you in advance for your kind insight and expert opinion.

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XTang Bahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia Expert

Member since 22 April 2014

XTangBahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia Expert10 June 2022 15:20:08

#41

11829

His transfers bounced back to him.

Forget whatever the customer service representative said. If you start getting regular transfers in, you will be asked about them and / or face other hassles like account closures.

Iqrar Ahmed75 Member

Member since 24 June 2022

Iqrar Ahmed75Member24 June 2022 06:08:18

#42

Hello,

I'm based in Pakistan and I want to move to Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Right now I'm working as a Freelancer Software engineer and my account is linked to a Pakistani bank account. Is there any way I can move to KSA and continue my current job? How can I get Aqama and good Kafeel?

Arsal7 ViP

Member since 09 November 2020

Arsal7ViP24 June 2022 12:11:14

#43

1357

Hello,

I'm based in Pakistan and I want to move to Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Right now I'm working as a Freelancer Software engineer and my account is linked to a Pakistani bank account. Is there any way I can move to KSA and continue my current job? How can I get Aqama and good Kafeel?
- @Iqrar Ahmed75

I don't know about kafeel or company.

But i can tell you about freelancer work.

Do not use any bank account of KSA.

You will get in trouble.

That work is banned here for expatriates through local banks.

regfel21 Member

Member since 29 June 2022

regfel21Member29 June 2022 12:53:44

#44

I have a consulting business registered in India and have recently moved to KSA under my husband's sponsorship. I am aware I'm not permitted to work in the country. I work with international clients online but not yet with Saudi companies.

My queries:

1. What are my options if I want to reach out to the local businesses? Is it allowed?

2. do I reach out to them under my company's contact?

3. If I can accept payment in my indian bank account from Saudi companies / brand, is that ok?

Another Topic:

4. I also have a lifestyle company registered in India which sell clothes and accessories online through a website. We have an international license, which means we can sell products outside and accept payments globally in the Indian bank account.

What if I want to operate it from KSA? If I receive an order on the website, can I ship it internationally from here since it's all here with me? All the payments are received in the Indian bank. Will they ask for CR/ license for shipping products from KSA?

I know a few people do it from here but not in bulk. Only a few times a month.

Thanks for your help!

XTang Bahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia Expert

Member since 22 April 2014

XTangBahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia Expert30 June 2022 05:57:43

#45

11829

1/2/3: Theoretically, you can reach out to them while representing your Indian business - virtually. However, since you are physically here, if you go and meet them, then that would basically be working without an Iqama (if you were on a business visit visa, you could have done those meetings - not on a dependent visa). In case of any issue e.g. dispute with a local business, if they report you, you will have issues. You can receive payments in Indian bank account but the invoices would need to be generated from India and as such, the companies are legally obligated to deduct 5-15% withholding tax from them.

4: Your international license counts for zero in Saudi. A few shipments here and there might be missed out on. As long as you don't attract notice, you will be fine. If you do, you won't be.

Guest9782 Guest

Guest9782Guest18 August 2022 18:30:11

#46

214245

@XTang what about opening a bank account? Can i open a bank account to received my salary from UAE? Taking into consideration i have iqama but dependent

Arsal7 ViP

Member since 09 November 2020

Arsal7ViP18 August 2022 18:49:54

#47

1357

@XTang what about opening a bank account? Can i open a bank account to received my salary from UAE? Taking into consideration i have iqama but dependent
- @Nour Daher73

No, you just can't.

Do this from your home country.

Guessfrg Member

Member since 04 September 2022

GuessfrgMember04 September 2022 19:30:57

#48

@XTang —can you work as a freelancer online for a Saudi company, as an expat resident of Saudi Arabia whose spouse works in KSA? (With the money going into an overseas account)

XTang Bahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia Expert

Member since 22 April 2014

XTangBahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia Expert05 September 2022 08:24:55

#49

11829

Practically speaking, yes as no one will bother digging into this.

Technically, no as the while the work is being done online:

You are a resident

The Saudi company is a resident

They are paying you overseas

They will need to deduct withholding tax as a first step and secondly, if they put your details as a resident of Saudi, this can cause problems.

Guessfrg Member

Member since 04 September 2022

GuessfrgMember06 September 2022 18:59:15

#50

@XTang —thanks!

apolloadrianyoung Member

Member since 19 September 2022

apolloadrianyoungMember19 September 2022 05:50:45

#51

I’m looking to work in Riyadh on a 6 month contract as a freelancer from the uk - will I be eligible for tax - and what’s the best route for a visa .. kind regards / I’m new to this

XTang Bahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia Expert

Member since 22 April 2014

XTangBahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia Expert19 September 2022 09:30:55

#52

11829

Work visa by an employer.

Premium residency through investment.

Dependent visa through spouse.

Nahida memon Member

Member since 02 October 2022

Nahida memonMember02 October 2022 12:18:21

#53

My husband is on work visa and I m on dependent visa so can I do freelancing on Fiverr? As per todays news , Expat cannot advertise on any social media platforms!

XTang Bahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia Expert

Member since 22 April 2014

XTangBahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia Expert03 October 2022 10:50:45

#54

11829

All of this has been covered before by me. Simply you can, but receiving money in KSA might cause problems.

yasmineabdelraouf Member

Member since 11 September 2023

yasmineabdelraoufMember11 September 2023 10:08:26

#55

@XTang

If I am on a dependent visa can I work online for websites outside Ksa and receive money through western union,, would there be any legal issues when receiving multiple western union transfers

engg.amjed New member

Member since 17 June 2023

engg.amjedNew member11 September 2023 10:50:57

#56

One of my friends is struggling to renew his Iqama unfortunately his sponsor is not entertaining him and his iqama is expired two days ago

Is there any other legal procedure to renew Iqama without a current Sponsor?

Please let me know and what will be the cost?

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