Language:

The native tongue is Arabic, however, English is widely spoken especially among the business community.

Cost of Living:

The cost of living is similar to, or slightly more expensive than, the U.S. in some areas, but this is compensated by low prices for items such as gasoline, which is currently about 17 cents per liter.  There is also the possibility of subsidized government housing if you work for an international corporation.  For more information visit: http://www.justlanded.com/english/saudi_arabia
/tools/just_landed_guide/money/cost_of_living

Visa and Work Permit:

Visas are required for everyone leaving or entering Saudi Arabia even the Saudi’s.   It is important to note that to work in Saudi Arabia, you MUST be invited by a sponsor. It is absolutely essential that you have a valid and appropriate visa for Saudi Arabia in your passport before you travel.  For more information visit:  http://www.justlanded.com/english/saudi_arabia/topics/visas_permits

Job Searching:

Most westerners that work in Saudi Arabia are mostly employed either by Saudi Aramco, the national oil company, foreign military bases, or by foreign companies engaged in infrastructure development or other projects in the Kingdom. There are also fairly large numbers of expatriates employed in healthcare, education, IT, telecommunications and banking. In general, you will only be able to find a job in Saudi Arabia if you have specialist or technical skills that are in demand here.

            Many expatriates are posted to Saudi Arabia by their existing employers. However, some job vacancies are advertised in the daily Saudi newspapers and on websites. A drawback for western job-seekers is that most of the newspapers are in Arabic, but the English language paper Arab News does have a small classifieds section which includes job vacancies, mainly in Jeddah.

            There are a small number of recruitment agencies which post vacancies online, but agency websites only allow jobseekers to post their CVs for consideration by employers.  A good link to these sites can be found:  http://jobs.theemiratesnetwork.com/jobseeker/me/saudi.php
            For more general information about work environment, salary, and general job searching visit:

http://www.justlanded.com/english/saudi_arabia/topics/jobs

Cultural Differences in the Workplace:

Respect for Islamic customs and beliefs is extremely important.  The practice of other religions is not allowed. 

            The working week in Saudi Arabia is from Saturday to Wednesday, with some businesses also operating on Thursday mornings. Working hours in private business are usually 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. When scheduling business appointments, it is important to take into account the five daily prayer times, as well as the religious holidays of Hajj and Ramadan.

            Appointment times should be regarded as approximate rather than fixed, as there is a relaxed approach to business which often results in delays. A very personal approach to business is taken, and face-to-face meetings are generally preferred.

            All business deals are regulated by Sharia or Islamic law, which has many similarities with western law. A big difference between the two is that Sharia law does not make reference to precedents, and rulings made on one case are therefore not applicable to others. For more information please refer to:  http://www.daralhekma.edu.sa/ABOUT/LifeinSA. asp or http://www.justlanded.com/english/saudi_arabia/topics/culture

Money and Banking and Taxes-  

It is advisable for foreigners to open a local bank account when working in Saudi Arabia, as charges for the transfer of money from overseas can be very high. Some employers require their expatriate employees to have a local bank account. A letter of introduction from the employer will be needed to open an account. There is no tax payable on salaries for foreign employees in Saudi Arabia, and self-employed foreigners are only taxed on overseas-earned income.  For more information visit:

http://www.justlanded.com/english/saudi_arabia/topics/money

Safety and Security-

Foreigners are generally safe in Saudi Arabia. However, private Saudi citizens who perceive that a foreigner is not observing conservative standards of conduct may harass, pursue, or assault that person. To avoid conflict, The Saudi Embassy in Washington advises women traveling to Saudi Arabia to dress in a conservative fashion, wearing ankle-length dresses with long sleeves, and not to wear trousers in public.  For more information please refer to:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1012.html