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Getting a job in Saudi Arabia

Lukas Weber, 30. Data Engineer in Riyadh.

Lukas joined a Riyadh tech company working on Vision 2030 projects. No professional licence was needed, so the visa moved quickly.

From
Berlin, Germany
Industry
Technology
per month
SAR 30K ≈ $8K
Timeline
8–12 weeks
Visa route
Employer-sponsored work visa and Iqama
Lukas Weber at work
“Riyadh has changed fast. Tech salaries here beat most of Europe after tax.”

Step by step

  • You
  • Employer
  • Government
  1. 1

    Search and interview

    3–8 weeksYou

    Applied for Data Engineer roles through recruiters and job boards, then interviewed remotely. Asked for the full package in writing: basic salary, allowances, flights, medical cover and notice period.

  2. 2

    Degree attestation

    2–3 weeksYou

    German degree apostilled and attested by the Saudi embassy.

    Cost: about USD 200

  3. 3

    Offer and Qiwa contract

    1–2 weeksEmployer

    The employer creates the contract on Qiwa. Review basic salary, housing and transport allowances and the 90-day probation clause, then accept it on the platform.

  4. 4

    Visa authorisation and application

    2–3 weeksEmployer

    The employer obtains a visa authorisation, then you apply through the authorised visa centre with attested degree and police clearance.

  5. 5

    Medical in home country

    1 weekYou

    Pre-departure medical at an approved centre. Results are linked electronically to the visa file.

    Cost: about USD 100

  6. 6

    Arrival, Iqama and Absher

    1–3 weeksEmployer

    Biometrics are taken, the Iqama is issued digitally and linked to Absher. The employer registers you with GOSI and medical insurance.

  7. 7

    Housing and bank

    2–4 weeksYou

    Rent in Riyadh through an Ejar-registered contract, open a bank account in the app and give the IBAN to HR for payroll.

Employment journeys

All journeys
Priya Nair, Senior Software Engineer

United Arab Emirates · Dubai

Priya Nair, Senior Software Engineer

Priya moved from a product company in Bengaluru to a Dubai fintech. Her employer sponsored the work permit and residence visa; she handled degree attestation, housing and banking herself.

per month
AED 28K
Timeline
10–14 weeks
Ahmed Hassan, Civil Engineering Project Manager

Saudi Arabia · Riyadh

Ahmed Hassan, Civil Engineering Project Manager

Ahmed joined a contractor delivering a Riyadh metro extension. Engineering roles in Saudi Arabia require professional accreditation, which added a step most other professions do not have.

per month
SAR 22K
Timeline
12–16 weeks
Maria Santos, Registered Nurse (ICU)

Qatar · Doha

Maria Santos, Registered Nurse (ICU)

Maria was recruited by a Doha hospital through a licensed agency. Healthcare is the longest route on this site because licensing has to finish before the visa can start.

per month
QAR 11K
Timeline
16–24 weeks