Formally known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Saudi Arabia is the Middle East’s largest country. The kingdom is the quintessential expat destination with more than a third of its population belonging to other countries. It provides expatriates with unique legal privileges and a wide range of job prospects. Best places to work in Saudi Arabia welcomes expats from all over the world on a quest to get better jobs and handsome salaries. With an advancement in IT, industrial, oil production, tourism and other sectors of KSA, the kingdom is providing new opportunities to its citizens and expats each day.
Best places to work in Saudi Arabia as an expat
1. Jeddah – The commercial capital
Jeddah is the country’s commercial capital in the Hejaz region and is a great place to work in Saudi Arabia. It is the most modern city in the kingdom, with lively streets, avenues and enormous shopping malls that perfectly blend the old and new worlds. Due to the diversity of culture, Jeddah offers amazing experience to work as an expat. P&G, Nielson, Unilever, Nestle, Hilton and Siemens are among the top firms in Jeddah. Moreover, adhering to the 2030 Vision of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud, Jeddah keeps on investing in skyscrapers. One such structure is Kingdom Tower Centre having a number of offices and international stores. The skyscrapers like the Kingdom Tower Centre are attracting more and more international companies to establish their headquarters and offices in Saudi Arabia.
Top reasons why expats prefer Jeddah
- The hub of IT industry
- High salaries
- Lavish lifestyle
- Technologically advanced
- Better healthcare and public facilities
- Many recreational activities
2. Riyadh – The capital of Saudi Arabia
Riyadh is unquestionably a great place to work in Saudi Arabia. It has all the amenities of a global city, but it is devoid of entertainment. Unlike Jeddah and Dhahran, Riyadh does not have a beach and is located in the desert. While living and working in Riyadh, one will be contributing and benefitting from Saudi Arabia’s growing economy, the largest in the Arab world. One of the most tempting aspects of Riyadh is the high salary combined with the possibility of paying no income tax. In addition, most contracts include benefits like corporate cars, medical insurance and education allowances. Sectors like banking, construction, engineering, medicine, and IT provide expats opportunities. Microsoft, BCG, Cisco, Nestle, Nokia, Hewlett Packard, Accenture and Marriott are among other major companies in Riyadh.
Top reasons why expats prefer Riyadh
- Perks of working in the capital city
- Highly progressive work culture and handsome salaries
- Multi-disciplinary industries and companies
- Recreational activities
- Advanced healthcare and education sectors
Suggested Read: Top 11 Things To Do In Riyadh: From Quad Biking To A Family Day At Zoo
3. Makkah – The holy city for Hajj and Umrah
Makkah, also known as Makkah al-Mukarramah, is one of the best cities to work as a Muslim expatriate in Saudi Arabia. This Saudi Arabian metropolis is a no-brainer for Muslims who want to immerse themselves in their religion while working. Textiles, furniture and utensils are among the top industries that operate in Makkah. The Abraj Al-Bait rises from the city’s center in a statement of modern defiance, despite the antiquated and dusty appearance of the city. Notable companies in Makkah include P&G, Unilever, Nokia, Nestle, Hilton, Siemens, Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, EY, ARAMCO and Ikea.
Top reasons to work in Makkah
- Highly advanced tourist industry
- Among best places to work for Muslims
- Religious benefits of being the holy city for Muslims
4. Madinah – The city of the messenger of God
Located at the heart of the Madinah Province in the western fringes, Madinah is another one of the best cities to work as an expatriate in Saudi Arabia as a Muslim. Madinah is the city for Muslim expats who love Saudi Arabian culture and Islamic studies. Those considering joining the expat community in Madinah can enjoy a peaceful and religious existence in one of the world’s primaeval and most fascinating cities. Madinah is only a few hours from Jeddah on the shore, and it has a good number of Saudi expat jobs. The city is stunning, with large domed minarets and a long history.
Top reasons why expats prefer Madinah
- Fully-developed tourism industry
- Religious perks as a Muslim
- Opportunity to gain from the immersive cultural experience of Saudi Arabia
5. Dhahran – Aramco’s Headquarter
Dhahran is one of the best cities to work as an expatriate in Saudi Arabia. It offers all of the facilities that a contemporary city can provide. Dhahran is part of the Dammam Metropolitan Area, sometimes known as larger Dammam, which includes the neighboring cities of Dammam and Khobar. It is an important administrative center for Saudi Arabia’s oil industry and has been the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO) headquarters for the past 80 years. ARAMCO employees and dependents, referred to as ARAMCONS, tend to use Dhahran to refer to the ARAMCO Camp. In contrast, Khobar and Dammam are considered outside the camp. Saudi ARAMCO constructed ARAMCO Camp as a residential neighborhood for its employees. It features western amenities and allows outsiders to communicate easily with individuals of their ethnicity and culture. P&G, EY, GE, Jacobs and Honeywell are among other major companies in Dhahran.
Top reasons to work in Dhahran
- Among top oil processing area
- Well-developed IT industry
- High paying jobs
- Great perks to ARAMCO employees
Because there are no cinemas, theatres or music venues, traditional pastimes such as shisha pipe smoking, storytelling, camel racing and attending mosque events are the best amusement activities. However, three major shopping malls have opened in the previous five years with excellent amenities (shops, restaurants and kids fun zones). Like other cities in Saudi Arabia, Madinah maintains a traditional Muslim way of life. Fridays and Saturdays are weekends, while Sunday-Thursday are working days.
Benefits of working in Saudi Arabia
Expats in Saudi Arabia have a high standard of living, owing to their substantial disposable earnings. Many expats, especially women, may find life in the kingdom constraining. However, there are numerous benefits to moving to Saudi Arabia, ranging from lucrative contracts with excellent employment packages to diverse international schools and elite hospitals. If one is willing to blend in and appreciate the Saudi Arabian culture that rejects Western idealism while earning a handsome amount, this is the country to work as an expat.
It is projected that 125,000 foreign residents from Western countries work in Saudi Arabia. While it is not the most straightforward place to find employment, there are many job opportunities in Saudi Arabia if one has a high degree of knowledge and experience. With the implementation of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is entering a new age with a massive national economic and social reform initiative to transform the economy, create new jobs and benefit natives and expats alike. Business personnel can book hotels from top corporate travel management platforms before visiting the kingdom for their convenience of visit.
Suggested Read: The Culture Of Saudi Arabia: Traditions, Heritage, Food, Music
Best Places To Work In Saudi Arabia FAQs
What are the best benefits of working in Saudi Arabia?
Salaries, culture, lifestyle and weather are factors to consider for working in Saudi Arabia.
Which are some of the top companies in Saudi Arabia?
P&G, Nielson, Unilever, Nestle, Hilton, EY, GE, Jacobs, Honeywell, Microsoft, BCG, Cisco, Nokia, Hewlett Packard, Accenture, Marriott, Siemens, Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, ARAMCO and Ikea are some of the top companies in Saudi Arabia.
Do Makkah and Madinah allow non-muslim expats within the city limits?
No, Makkah and Madinah don’t allow non-muslim expats within their city limits.
What are some tips to enjoy expat life in Saudi Arabia?
Life in Saudi Arabia, like anywhere else, is what one makes of it. To feel welcomed, one can make an effort to assimilate by learning Arabic and learning about Saudi culture. If one stays in the expat bubble, they are likely to lose out on the great adventures that living away from home may provide. Basic awareness of Saudi Arabian culture might go a long way for foreigners relocating to the country.
Is health insurance provided to the expats in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, expats must have private health insurance, which the employer usually provides.
