How to Get a Job in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
In case you are a foreigner and moving to Saudi Arabia to get a new job, this guide will present to you the critical aspects of preparing your move to popular expat cities, such as Riyadh. About 70% of workers in popular expat cities like Riyadh are foreign nationals. Most Saudi nationals are hired in the government sector, and almost 90% of employees in the private sector are foreigners.
Types of Jobs
Because of great competitive salaries and working conditions, many individuals from abroad are keen on moving and working in Riyadh. With its wealth, immense oil reserves and good job openings for expats in the fields of oil drilling, natural gas, and mining, Saudi Arabia is one of the most attractive nations for foreign job seekers. Other significant industries in Riyadh that employ a large number of expats are real estate, construction and education.
There is regularly a shortage of local skilled workers for certain occupations in Riyadh. Some of these jobs and occupations have a high demand for foreign workers and are sectors in which expats get jobs easily.
Construction Workers
The construction and building industry are one of the quickest developing ones in Saudi Arabia. So, there is a steadily high demand for construction workers
Engineers
There is a long-term absence of locals for engineering-related occupations. So, expats have an extraordinary opportunity to find a new job in this industry.
Maintenance Workers
They are typically employed by oil companies and oil drilling equipment companies.
Medical attendants
Employments in the healthcare sector are permanently considered as shortage occupations in Saudi Arabia. There is a high demand for emergency clinics and medical centers for clinical staff.
Interpreters
Foreign interpreters usually are being hired by big oil-exporting companies in Saudi Arabia.
The normal working week in Riyadh is Sunday to Thursday, with certain stores and workplaces open for a couple of hours on a Friday, rarely on a Saturday. The average work hours of each week are 48 hours, 30 hours during Ramadan, for Muslim employees.
How to get a Work Visa
In order to work temporarily in Saudi Arabia, foreigners need to acquire a Saudi impermanent work visa before departure. A work visa and a valid passport are required to work in Saudi Arabia. The span of the work visa relies upon the term referenced by the supporting organization in the job invitation letter. It is suggested that a work visa candidate ask correspondent in Saudi Arabia for the longest validity possible.
Required documents to get Saudi work visa are valid passport(without Israeli stamps), 2 passport size photographs, visa application, payment receipt, a letter of invitation from the Saudi employer legalized by the Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce, work permit(employer in Saudi Arabia gets this for you), medical certificate and blood test not older than a quarter of a year, and ID card.
The Takeaway
Getting a job in a new country can be a stressful experience. Knowing where to search for and what things to consider beforehand will make this process much efficient and hassle free.
