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Getting a job in Saudi Arabia

Sarah Thompson, 33. International School Teacher in Jeddah.

Sarah teaches at an international school in Jeddah. The school provided furnished housing and annual flights.

From
Toronto, Canada
Industry
Education
per month
SAR 16K ≈ $4.3K
Timeline
10–14 weeks
Visa route
Employer-sponsored work visa and Iqama
Sarah Thompson at work
“Jeddah is relaxed and close to the sea. The school handled everything except attestation.”

Step by step

  • You
  • Employer
  • Government
  1. 1

    Search and interview

    3–8 weeksYou

    Applied for International School Teacher 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

    Attestation of degree and teaching licence

    3–5 weeksYou

    Degree and provincial teaching certificate attested by Global Affairs Canada and the Saudi embassy.

    Cost: about USD 300

  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 Jeddah 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