Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Arab world and the Gulf's biggest job market, with over 13 million expatriate workers. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom is undergoing its most ambitious transformation — creating hundreds of thousands of jobs in tourism (NEOM, Red Sea Project, Diriyah), entertainment, tech, and healthcare.
Iqama (residence permit) is your primary document. It is processed by your employer (kafeel) within 90 days of arrival. The Iqama enables you to drive, open a bank account, rent property, and access healthcare. It must be renewed annually.
Labour reforms: Saudi Arabia's Labour Reform Initiative (2021) gives expats the right to change jobs, exit and re-enter the country, and obtain final exit visas without employer approval in most cases — a major step forward from the old kafala system.
Gratuity: Saudi gratuity is more complex than UAE/Qatar — it pays 50% of the monthly salary per year for the first 5 years on resignation, increasing to 100% per year after 5 years. Termination pays the full amount from day one.
What is Iqama and how do I get it in Saudi Arabia?
Iqama is the residence permit card for all expatriate residents in Saudi Arabia. Your employer handles the application process, which involves a medical examination, fingerprinting, and document submission to the Ministry of Interior. It must be ready within 90 days of your arrival and renewed annually.
What is the average salary for expats in Riyadh?
Expat salaries in Riyadh are 100% tax-free. Engineers earn SAR 8,000–20,000/month, nurses SAR 4,500–9,000, IT professionals SAR 10,000–25,000, teachers SAR 5,000–12,000, and doctors SAR 15,000–50,000+ depending on specialisation. Vision 2030 projects are pushing salaries higher, particularly in tech, construction and healthcare.
Can I change jobs in Saudi Arabia without employer approval?
Under the 2021 Labour Reform Initiative, expats in Saudi Arabia can transfer their employment after completing 12 months with their current employer, without requiring a No Objection Certificate (NOC). You can also exit and re-enter the country freely. However, some sectors and contract types may still have restrictions.
How is gratuity calculated in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi gratuity on resignation pays 1/3 of monthly salary per year for years 1–2, 2/3 per year for years 3–5, and full monthly salary per year after 5 years. On termination, the full monthly salary applies from year 1. The Saudi gratuity system rewards long service, so staying past 5 years significantly increases your payout.
What are the biggest job sectors in Saudi Arabia for expats in 2026?
The largest sectors for expatriate employment in Saudi Arabia are healthcare (hospitals and clinics being built across the Kingdom), construction and engineering (NEOM, Red Sea Project, Diriyah), IT and technology, education, hospitality and tourism, and oil and gas (Saudi Aramco and downstream industries).
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