Living in Saudi Arabia
Middle East — Expat guide for moving and living abroad
Country overview
Capital
Riyadh
Currency
SAR
Continent
Middle East
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Entry requirements
Check if your passport needs a visa for Saudi Arabia.
Check visa requirementsMonthly costs
Riyadh
Rent (center)
900 USD/mo
Groceries
350 USD/mo
Transport
100 USD/mo
Est. Monthly Total
1,410 USD/mo
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Work permits
-
Work Visa / Iqama
Duration: 1-2 years, renewable
Employer-sponsored
-
Premium Residency (Green Card)
Duration: Permanent
Investors, SAR 800,000 fee
Salary & tax
Income Tax Range
0% – 0%
Social Security (Employee)
0.1%
No personal income tax. VAT 15%. Expats need Iqama tied to employer.
Calculate your net salaryUseful services
Insurance
SafetyWing
Nomad health insurance for your stay in Saudi Arabia. Monthly subscription, cancel anytime.
Get a SafetyWing quote →Connectivity
Airalo
Saudi Arabia eSIM data plans from $4.50. Activate before you land — no SIM swap.
Get an Airalo eSIM →Privacy
NordVPN
Stay secure on public WiFi in Saudi Arabia and access services from home.
Get NordVPN →Language
iTalki
Book 1-on-1 video lessons with native tutors before you move. 150+ languages.
Find a tutor →