Working in Riyadh

Expats working in Riyadh will find themselves well placed for career progression and high earnings. Saudi Arabia has one of the world’s most competitive economies and has long attracted workers from other countries. Salaries in Saudi Arabia are typically similar to or greater than those paid in Western countries, and no personal income tax usually means greater net income.

Job market in Riyadh

Expats working in Riyadh will be based in the Saudi capital, a hub of commerce and industry. Saudi Arabia is the world's largest crude oil exporter, so the oil and gas industry remains the largest sector in the country's economy. Riyadh is also home to many government offices and embassies, making the public and diplomatic sectors one of the city's biggest employers.

As the city’s infrastructure expands, so do opportunities in banking, construction, engineering, IT, agriculture and medicine. Teaching English in Saudi Arabia is well worth considering – it's taught as a second language in Saudi public schools, but there are few native speakers in the city. Private English lessons are popular with local families.

Finding a job in Riyadh

Most expats move to Riyadh with a job in hand. Finding work in Saudi Arabia can be challenging, but will be much easier if you have in-demand skills and experience.

There are plenty of online job portals to browse, including Bayt, GulfTalent and foundit (formerly Monster). These are worth visiting to scope out the possibilities, but recruitment agencies tend to be the best source of job opportunities.

Many agencies specialise in particular fields such as healthcare, teaching, accounting, and construction. Employers usually pay agency and consultancy fees.

If you want to work in Saudi Arabia, you'll need to apply for a work visa. This requires a confirmed job offer and sponsorship from an employer. For this reason, you need to find work before moving to Saudi Arabia. The process of obtaining a work visa can be somewhat long and convoluted.

Visas for Saudi Arabia

Useful links

• GulfTalent
• Bayt
• foundit Gulf

Work culture in Riyadh

Expats working in Riyadh will most likely need to educate themselves about local workplace etiquette. It’s one of Saudi Arabia's most conservative cities, so it's vital to respect local customs in everyday life and in the business world.

Men and women should wear modest clothing, with shoulders, stomach, calves, and thighs well covered. Expats should also avoid discussing politics and religion with colleagues, as these are sensitive subjects.

The working week in Riyadh is Sunday to Thursday, and employees are expected to work between 40 and 48 hours a week, depending on their employer.

Business Culture in Saudi Arabia