job search in saudi arabia. I wasn't very enthusiastic when my husband stubbornly pursued a job in Saudi Arabia, and I came here with great apprehension Jobs in Saudi Arabia for women

Real stories of immigrants - life, problems, work in Saudi Arabia without embellishment. My longtime friend and comrade and I became permanent residents of Saudi Arabia thanks to a whole series of amazing coincidences and accidents, and this is interesting for us to remember to this day.

We met with Sabit in St. Petersburg (then still Leningrad) in the mid-80s of the past century at a school where we studied in parallel classes. Back then, we were brought together by a passion for traveling around the vast USSR, and every vacation, starting from the 8th grade, we always went to places where it was very far from St. Petersburg and where it was deserted, wild and incredibly interesting. Later, we united in a "strong group of travelers" from many Russian cities, and when we opened the borders, we "switched" to the knowledge of the most lost and exotic countries of the entire planet Earth.

I graduated from the Art School and began to paint pictures, portraits of people on the Arbat, made various crafts, sculptures, and, in fact, I lived and did not grieve. But at the beginning of the 21st century, we found ourselves in a country that shook us, in Greater Saudi Arabia. She somehow instantly conquered us all and “took our hearts and souls” and we, already “hardened travelers”, traveled almost all of it in almost three months. And even this was catastrophically not enough for us then, but who needs us here and what are we going to do?

And when the tickets to Russia were already on hand, there were no more than two weeks left before departure to our homeland, we, lazily wandering around the beautiful city of Jeddah, found our first “pleasant surprise”. Sabit suddenly saw in one "cool" jewelry store his own uncle, who "disappeared" back in the days of the USSR.

• As it turned out, Uncle Sabita has been living here for many years and is the owner of a whole network of various stores, from jewelry to grocery. And he did all this on his own.


• We politely called him Farit Muslimovich. How else. After all, he looked so chic that he looked more like a gray-haired modern-day Duke of Edinburgh. He immediately drove us on his seven-meter snow-white Maybach to his home, which seemed to us a “home”, which, in terms of beauty and grandeur, would give a hundred points to Versailles itself, no less, here’s a cross for you. This is me from myself, I'm kind of a Christian.


• And, despite the fact that Uncle Sabit created from scratch an entire empire named after him in Saudi Arabia, he, Farit Muslimovich, turned out to be a surprisingly simple, kind, sincere person in everyday life. And with an incredible subtle, like the whole East, a sense of humor.


• At first, having fed us “to the fullest” with delicious dishes, the most delicate aroma of which I still remember to this day, Farit Muslimovich, lighting a hookah, listened for a very long time and attentively about everything that concerned the life of Sabit and me. And what do you think, gentlemen, happened next? You'll never guess, and once you find out, you won't believe it. And in vain.


• Having learned that I am an artist and sculptor, and Sabit is an excellent cook, that he worked for several years in one elite restaurant in Moscow, Farit Muslimovich, already infinitely respected by us, silently, quietly and calmly nodded, and it was time for sleep.


• Well, the next day, but already in a jeep the size of a tram or trolleybus, he took us to one of the resorts on the Red Sea, which also belonged to him and was located near the town of El Kunfida. What for? It was our "surprise-luck" under sweet as Turkish delight number two.


• He arranged for me in five seconds an art workshop that was engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of souvenirs, jewelry, all kinds of figurines, paintings from real desert sand, only painted in hundreds of the brightest colors and divine shades. Where I gradually became a real "eastern artist of miracles."


• Sabit became the chef of this resort. Both of us were given an unrealistically beautiful villa for living. An Arabic teacher was “assigned” to us, and Farit Muslimovich entrusted the hassle with visas and other “official paperwork” to his assistant, and he did everything for us so quickly that we now have permanent residence in Saudi Arabia for a long time, an excellent job in the specialty. And to their liking, it just can be placed in the section: "Real stories of emigrants - life, problems, work in Saudi Arabia without embellishment."

Saudi Arabia today very similar to a grand construction site. And people from almost all parts of the world live and work here. And of course, from our native Russia in the same "honorary number".

For example, boys and girls from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus work only at our resort. And no one is "offended". From animators and masseuses to guides and doctors of a hospital that was built specifically for tourists. And the day is not far off when Saudi Arabia will become cooler than the Emirates, Dubai and other “Hong Kongs”. Give me just a deadline. Quite a short period.

Saudi Arabia is the richest country in the world. In a country where every citizen has everything from the moment of birth, the indigenous population is not used to working, so there are enough vacancies for residents. The main problem is that the country is closed to tourists. The gray labor market is flourishing. It is important to look only for legal earnings by contacting trusted companies.

Since inexhaustible reserves of oil and gas have been discovered on the territory of the Arabian Peninsula, 85% of the region's industry has been concentrated in the fuel industry. This is facilitated by the developed industry of processing enterprises. 1/4 of the total number of employees in the oil industry are visitors.

Demographics in the country at a high level. Along with the growth of the number of young people, the percentage of unemployed increases. More and more students, graduating from the university, do not care about their employment. Girls rarely go to college, as they get married before the age of 15. Hence the need for labor from the CIS countries, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine.

The average net income of a foreign mercenary is $3,000 per month. Residency, academic degree, candidate's title increase the salary by 2 or even 3 times.

Working in Saudi Arabia has a number of disadvantages:

• It is not easy to find reliable information about vacancies;
• A preliminary interview with a candidate is carried out by recruiting agencies even before leaving, which excludes the possibility of seeing working conditions at the workplace;
• It is necessary to observe the customs of the host country: wear national clothes, get used to the heat.

Much more benefits:

• After completing the internship, specialists with a confirmed diploma are assigned a decent salary and social package;
• Knowledge of Arabic is not required, only English;
• You don’t have to get used to the role of an eastern citizen in everyday life, since all residents with their families live in specially isolated areas;
• There is an opportunity to teach children in a Russian or European school;
• Virtually no crime;
• Flights to the homeland on vacation and back, business trips to the USA and Europe for advanced training are financially provided by the employer.

Visiting specialists will compete in employment at construction sites, in trade, and business with Arabs from neighboring countries, whom Arabia attracts with a prosperous income. The government also sets certain quotas for attracting foreign labor to provide jobs for its specialists.

The most in-demand professions in 2019

Qualified doctors, nurses, nannies, nurses, maids are in demand in the country. Construction professions, engineering specialties, IT administrators, programmers, financial analysts, and oilmen are in demand.

Salary per month by profession

Among doctors, the salaries of employees of private clinics are the highest: surgeons, ophthalmologists, gynecologists, dentists, resuscitators. Specialists in this field are provided with jobs, salaries range from $3,000 per month to $9,000. A welder, bricklayer, foreman can expect to earn $2,000 or more. The service sector is not highly valued.

For a nanny, the income will be $ 1,500, for a nurse a little higher - $ 1,700. A housemaid will earn $1,000 including free room and board. Students, most often, take care of the sick and the elderly, earn extra money as sellers in supermarkets.

At the refinery, working conditions are met in accordance with the highest safety requirements. Many functions are automated. Employees receive an average of $100 per shift.

Table 1. Wage level per month by profession

Livestock and meat and dairy farms in Saudi Arabia employ mostly residents from the CIS countries. At a similar place, you can get a salary of $ 800 per shift.

How to find a job without intermediaries

To contact a firm or a private employer from the countries of the Arabian Peninsula, you need to send your CVs to international job search portals, attach a short biography and data on professional experience and skills.

Popular job search sites

Specialized resources, agencies

• - a convenient catalog allows you to find vacancies by industry in the salary range;
• - the agency is engaged in the selection of personnel in the construction industry.

Types of employment

When choosing an employer and drawing up a contract with a company, people enter this state for permanent employment most often. This is a positive experience for doctors, engineers, builders. Experience in Saudi Arabia represents international experience. Having established himself as a first-class specialist, after more than 3 years of continuous work, it is easier to get a job in the USA, Great Britain, Australia. This is an excellent language and professional practice with a decent salary.

Work without knowing the language

It is not necessary to know Arabic for work. All documentation, reporting, textbooks and instructions are in English. Its level should correspond to the basic international standard. Without this knowledge, it is extremely difficult to pass an interview.

Seasonal work

In agriculture (animal husbandry, greenhouse complexes) in the hot climate of the Arabian Peninsula, there is no concept of seasonality. The period of the influx of tourists and pilgrims to Mecca and Medina falls on the holy month of Ramadan.

Temporary job

International companies operating in the country need professional support from time to time: setting up equipment, automating the process, installing the latest equipment. Contractors are attracted from abroad.

The company posts a vacancy on the portal or sends it to a recruiting agency. Applicants who have passed the interview stage receive a work contract, which sets the duration of their stay in the country. For this period, the host country issues a visa.

Other options

Food production plants, oil refineries constantly require people who are ready to enter the country for a long time. Textile workshops and garment factories also work on a rotational basis. Accommodation of employees in collective accommodation (dormitories) is provided. They are provided with free food, medical care, transportation to the place of work.

The official recruitment process

It is not easy for a foreigner to get an invitation from an employer. But qualified doctors, engineers, builders are always welcome here. To do this, you need to submit a resume directly to the organization's portal or to a recruitment agency in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula.

Priority of actions

1. Find a formal job.
2. Receive an invitation or an e-visa from the employer.
3. They receive the original employment contract and its certified copy at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Saudi Arabia.
4. The diploma is given to a translator into English or Arabic (depending on the requirements of the host).
5. The diploma is certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as by the embassy of the country that issued the diploma.
6. The diploma is certified by the Ministry of Justice and the Embassy of the KSA.
7. Check that the name of the position in the employment contract matches the specified specialty in the diploma.
8. They take a certificate from the Ministry of Internal Affairs about the absence of a criminal record. They carry it for translation, and then the certificate and its translation are certified by the Foreign Ministry.
9. They receive a medical certificate on the state of health at the place of residence, sign it at the head physician of the polyclinic. The document must indicate that the patient is not sick with meningitis, encephalitis, hepatitis A, B, C or HIV infection.
10. The visa application form is filled out in the native language or in English, the date of completion and the phone number are indicated.
11. Pay the consular fee and keep receipts.

Types of work permits

The presence of a visa is the reason for allowing entry into the territory of the KSA. The resident must immediately provide law enforcement agencies with a package of documents confirming the identity and the right to visit the country. The arrival will be registered with the Office for the Supervision of Foreign Citizens.

As a work permit, you must provide a work visa from the employer or its electronic version, an employment contract or contract with the specified start and end dates for the period of validity.

Table 2. Types of visas in KSA

Are there categories that do not require a work permit?

Checks in institutions for legal employment are carried out regularly, therefore, without a work permit, it is possible only as a device at home. These are private drivers, nannies, maids. Russian and Ukrainian girls most often play the role of a nurse or a nurse at home. Such activities are illegal, there is a risk of getting a fine, deportation.

If at the call of a husband employed in the KSA his family enters, then a visa for his wife and children is issued without a work permit.

List of main documents

After a successful interview, a parquet of the necessary documents is collected:

• Original contract from the employer;
• Job invitation;
• Copy and original of internal passport;
• Original archival certificate from the university to confirm the fact of training;
• Diplomas of doctors and engineers are certified by the nearest cultural attache, who is located in Turkey;

• Photo on a white background 3x4 in the amount of 2 pcs.;

• Original passport;
• Medical health certificate.

To stay a specialist on a work visa in the country with his family, you must first arrive in Saudi Arabia and make an official request-invitation through the KSA embassy attaching:

• Originals and translation of the marriage certificate;
• Birth certificates of children;
• Photo;
• Questionnaires;
• Police clearance certificates for children over 18 years of age;
• Passports.

The visa application form must be completed before submission.

Applying for a work visa

All visas are issued through the Visa Application Center of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Moscow.

To obtain a work visa to visit KSA, you must have a contract or an employment contract from the employer. Therefore, the applicant is interviewed outside the country and receives documents for entry before being sent to the kingdom.

The recruiting agency usually handles the formalities before submitting a package of documents to the consulate.

Eligibility Criteria for Work Visa Candidates

Females are supposed to travel only accompanied by a man, and always a relative: brother, father or husband.

An applicant will be denied a visa if:

• In the passport there is a mark on crossing the Israeli border, even in transit;
• Extravagant appearance: piercings, tattoos, bright clothes or hairstyle;
• The religion column indicates anything other than Christianity or Islam;

Work visa extension

4-5 weeks before the expiration of the visa, you can submit documents to the consulate for an extension.

To do this, you must provide:

1. A copy of a valid residence permit.
2. Application of the employer for the extension of the validity of the residence permit, certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the KSA.
3. An exit and entry permit issued by the Passport Office of the KSA.
4. A document confirming the continuation of the education of children in an educational institution of the KSA.
5. A statement from the head of the family confirming that he continues to work for the KSA.

Business immigration

When making investments in the economy of the kingdom, you can count on obtaining a business visa with subsequent permission to immigrate to the country. To do this, it is necessary to enlist the guarantees of a partner company in the territory of the state, receive an official invitation to enter and confirm financially your intentions no later than 30 days from the date of arrival in KSA.

Features of internship in the country

Each graduate is required to pass an exam in the form of testing after completing an internship at the place of work. There is a possibility of retaking twice.

If the contract does not provide for an internship period, this is a disadvantage. The terms and conditions should be stipulated, documented so that the applicant has the opportunity to assess the working conditions and, in the event that the place does not fit for any reason, leave the employer without breaking the contract and related problems.

Consequences for trying to illegally get a job

In this closed country, the only correct way to get a job is official. Bypassing documentary conventions, you risk getting into the gray labor market, where you find yourself outside the law. Collisions with the Saudi law and order, at best, will lead to illegal immigration penalties.

The growing economy of Saudi Arabia requires new personnel to build a solid foundation of financial stability. Residents fit into this system well. Their comfortable accommodation on the territory of the kingdom has been arranged.

The salaries are decent, so people return home with money to buy real estate, have the opportunity to educate their children, and gain international work experience on advanced equipment.

Saudi Arabia is considered one of the most closed countries in the world. For example, tourists began to be allowed into this country only in April 2018, when the Kingdom began issuing tourist visas. But this state is one of the world leaders in the extraction of "black gold", and therefore it cannot but be of interest to potential migrants, including from Russia.

Getting to know Saudi Arabia

There are few countries in the modern world that would be so closed and mysterious. In the imagination of the traveler, the boundless sands of the Arabian desert immediately appear, tens of thousands of believers making the Hajj to Mecca, a forest of oil rigs, fabulously rich Arab sheiks ... And such fantasies are not far from the truth. This is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia (السعودية - Arabic) occupies most of the territory of the Arabian Peninsula (area 2,149,690 km², 12th in the world). It is an absolute theocratic monarchy. This means that the king is at the head of the state, concentrating state and religious power in his hands. There is no parliament and there can be no question of any democratic foundations.

On the territory of Saudi Arabia there are two sacred cities for every Muslim - Mecca and Medina. The official state religion is Sunni Islam. A characteristic feature of Saudi Arabia is the huge influence of religious traditions not only on the local way of life, but also on its legal sphere. The legislation of Saudi Arabia is largely based on the principles of Sharia. Russians who are going to move to live in this country need to understand that the influence of Islam affects even the process of immigration. For example, you need to provide a certificate of your religion. Non-Islamic immigrants find it difficult to live in Saudi Arabia. It is necessary to thoroughly study the foundations and traditions of the local society. At the official level, the attitude towards non-Christians in the Kingdom is tolerant, but in practice, in everyday life, the indigenous people of Saudi Arabia try to show their religious superiority over visiting Christians. A non-Muslim is denied entry to many places, and there are also restrictions on holding certain positions. A person who does not profess Islam does not have the right to hold public office, serve in the police or other law enforcement agencies of the country. There is also a restriction on holding positions in companies engaged in science-intensive production. Foreign experts are invited to them, as a rule, as consultants.

Medina is a holy city for every Muslim

Despite all of the above, Saudi Arabia is of great interest in terms of immigration. First of all, because it is a state in whose bowels colossal oil deposits (25% of world reserves) have been discovered. Saudi Arabia is in second place in the world in terms of oil production and export (more than 550 million tons per year), second only to Russia. The share of oil is 96.8% in total exports, it accounts for 75% of the income of the Kingdom's treasury.

GDP per capita is 55,260 thousand US dollars (2017). The population of the country itself is slightly more than 31 million inhabitants.

Russians in Saudi Arabia

No one knows the exact number of Russians in Saudi Arabia today. Experts believe that their number is approximately equal to 95 thousand. The majority is employed in the extraction of "black gold", about 20% of the total number of Russians in the Kingdom are Russian wives of the indigenous people of Saudi Arabia (this is how its citizens and residents of neighboring countries call this state).

Most Russians live in large cities of the country. In Saudi Arabia, in general, a high level of urbanization - 87% of the population lives in cities. This is largely due to the unfavorable natural conditions of the Arabian Peninsula, where the heat in the shade often exceeds 50 degrees and there are minimal fresh water supplies. Arabian cities have a relatively developed infrastructure, there are no water shortages, and there are two air conditioners for every Arabian (according to statistics).

Oil is the main wealth of Saudi Arabia

The Government of Saudi Arabia in 2018 announced the "Quality of Life 2020" program. As part of this program, $ 34.6 billion is allocated from the royal treasury, intended to improve living standards. These colossal funds are supposed to be directed to the development of the educational system, health care, sports and entertainment. The program also provides for the creation of 300,000 new jobs.

In general, the Saudis are not very hard-working people, I would even say that they are not hard-working at all. To tell the truth, they are lazy. Their attitude to work is well reflected in the phrase “If someone can do it, let him do it!”. They will surely promise to do everything tomorrow, but ... The phrase "inshaala bokra" sounds in Arabic more often than others, it means "if Allah allows, then tomorrow." But it seems that Allah often does not allow, so if they say “tomorrow” to you, then this is at least a week later, but you should not flatter yourself, it can also mean NEVER. You just need to get used to it. I don’t speak for all Saudis, perhaps there are hard-working and responsible ones, but I haven’t met such people yet. Although not, one can still be set as an example to others.

lovinsaudi

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Advantages and disadvantages of immigrating to Saudi Arabia

Immigration to Saudi Arabia cannot be treated unambiguously. If, for example, immigration to Germany clearly has more positive aspects, then there are many positive and negative aspects when moving to the Kingdom of Arabia. We list the main advantages of immigrating to Saudi Arabia:

• the possibility of employment at the enterprises of the oil-producing and oil-refining industries of the economy with high wages and relatively comfortable working conditions;
• for Muslim Russians, moving to Saudi Arabia is not associated with mental and cultural problems;
• there is practically no crime in the country;
• Saudi Arabia provides ample opportunities for foreign investors and businessmen, so investing in the economy of this country and starting a business on its territory is a promising direction for representatives of business circles in the Russian Federation;
• life in this country is much cheaper than, for example, life in the countries of the European Union.

Along with these advantages, the disadvantages cannot be ignored. It is possible that for some immigrants they will not be relevant. But still, you can list several factors that are clearly not related to the benefits. Among them:

• external closeness of the country;
• censorship and lack of democracy;
• Saudi Arabia has a very strict immigration policy;
• the laws of Saudi Arabia are based on Sharia, so it is very difficult for a Russian person to understand the local legislation;
• women in Saudi Arabia have virtually no rights;
• the Arabian Peninsula has a very hot climate, so people suffering from cardiovascular diseases are not recommended to move to Saudi Arabia;
• The foundations of Saudi society are based on Islamic traditions, so it is often difficult for the average Russian immigrant to understand and accept them. Failure to comply with local laws and traditions can lead to disastrous consequences, ranging from imprisonment to deportation from the country;
• It is extremely difficult for a Russian immigrant to obtain citizenship of Saudi Arabia if he is not a Muslim.

But for people with an adventurous temperament, Saudi Arabia is just a storehouse of opportunities and a sea of ​​​​discoveries. In this case, it is worth mentioning the rich history of the country. Traveling through the Arabian cities, visiting the monuments of Arab culture, you can plunge headlong into the fabulous world of the East, which will leave few people indifferent.

A friend of mine married a Saudi Arabian many years ago. Immediately after graduation, the couple moved to their husband's homeland. After many years, we found ourselves on the World Wide Web, and my former classmate shared on Skype her experience of living in a distant Arabian country. It turns out that Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world in which women are prohibited from driving cars, motorcycles and other vehicles. The reason for this was the assertion of Saudi doctors that driving a car affects the pelvic organs of a woman and deviations are possible at the birth of a child. Saudi scientists, in turn, argue that driving a car by representatives of the beautiful half of humanity can violate the moral foundations of local society and give rise to prostitution, pornography, homosexuality and divorce. This is exactly the wording. However, Saudi women have been fighting for the right to drive in recent years, petitioning the king and government. A Saudi woman cannot walk the streets unaccompanied. The accompanying person must be a male relative only. Five years ago, Saudi women gained the right to have passports, before that this was not provided for by local legislation. The woman was originally entered in her father's passport, then she was entered in a similar document of her husband. When traveling abroad, a local woman must provide written permission from a parent or spouse. You can only go outside the house in a black abaya. Other clothing is not provided. The face must be covered with a nakab. In some cases, it is allowed to walk with an open face, but the hair must be covered with a black scarf. Girls under the age of 12 are exempt from compliance with these rules.

The main methods of immigration to Saudi Arabia from Russia

In 2018, there are quite a limited number of ways to move from Russia to Saudi Arabia. This is primarily due to the strict immigration laws of the country and its closeness from the outside world. But today, the authorities of the Kingdom are announcing changes in immigration policy in the near future, providing for its liberalization. We list the main ways of moving to this country available to Russians.

Marriage to a Saudi citizen

The opportunity to immigrate to Saudi Arabia upon marriage is a real one. As a rule, in this case we are talking about Russian women. Muslims have the right to marry a representative of another faith, but later, being already in the status of an official wife, she must convert to Islam. Marriage must be entered into according to local laws, so a marriage certificate, if it was concluded outside the borders of Saudi Arabia, will need to be legalized.

After marriage, the spouse applies to the immigration authorities of the Kingdom with a request to issue a permanent residence permit immediately. When submitting documents, the written consent of the spouse for this procedure is required. A permanent residence permit is issued in this case for a period of five years. After this period, you can apply for citizenship. Many Russian wives of Saudi citizens are in no hurry to accept citizenship of the Kingdom, living in the status of its permanent residents. Both when obtaining the status of a permanent resident, and when entering citizenship, the written consent of the husband and a positive reference from the local community, signed by the rector of the Islamic temple, around which this community is formed from among his parishioners, are required.

Video: Bans for women in Saudi Arabia

Education

You can also immigrate to Saudi Arabia while studying. It should be said that several technical and humanitarian universities operate in this country. But education in them is of high quality and prestigious can only be called a stretch. But the spiritual higher educational institutions of Saudi Arabia are famous throughout the Islamic world. Education in them, on the contrary, is very prestigious and provides an opportunity for further career growth, not to mention the possibility of legalization in the Kingdom itself. Examples include the Islamic University of Medina, Imam University in the capital city of Riyadh, Al-Qasim University.

The duration of study in spiritual higher educational institutions varies from three to seven years.

You can enroll in a higher education institution remotely or in person, while staying in Saudi Arabia, for example, on a tourist visa. Initially, the student receives the appropriate student-type visa, then applies to the immigration authorities with a request for a residence permit. Initially, a residence permit is issued for a year, then, at the request of the administration of a religious educational institution, it is extended until the end of the course of study. After five years of being in the country in the status of a temporary resident, an international student has the right to request permanent residence. In the future, he will have the opportunity to become a subject of His Majesty the King of Saudi Arabia Salman ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Saudis themselves prefer to send their children to study at foreign higher educational institutions, not considering getting a local higher education prestigious.

Spiritual institutions of higher education in Saudi Arabia are famous throughout the Islamic world

Employment immigration

Moving to Saudi Arabia for work can be safely considered one of the realistic methods of settling in this country. In the Kingdom, specialists of a narrow profile are in demand. It cannot be said that foreigners are welcomed with open arms. The employment of a foreign labor migrant is associated with many bureaucratic procedures. Registration for a foreign specialist of an invitation to work and an official permit for it lies on the shoulders of the receiving party. The employer pays all costs associated with obtaining a visa, the flight of his future employee. In addition, in Saudi Arabia there is a poverty tax, the proceeds of which go to material support for the poor. In a similar way, the closure of a vacancy for local residents is compensated. Employers are required by law to provide housing to foreign workers at their own expense or to compensate for the payment of its rent.

Registration of all necessary documents takes a long time. A work contract must be signed with a foreign labor migrant, which must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Arabian Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the employer must provide a written guarantee for the foreign citizen being hired.

The relocation of a foreign specialist to Saudi Arabia takes place on a work visa. It allows you to stay and work in this country for a year, during which you should apply for a residence permit. The status of a temporary resident is initially assigned for a year, then it can be extended for another five years.

The most common vacancies in Saudi Arabia are:

• specialists in the field of oil production and its processing:
• specialists of all levels in the field of medicine;
• teachers of English, French and Spanish;
• software developers;
• pilots, flight engineers, air traffic controllers;
• banking professionals.

Immigration by investment

The favorable investment climate created by the Saudi government, as well as the inexhaustible oil reserves in its depths, attract many foreign investors. Representatives of Russian capital are not an exception in this case.

The Russian investor must obtain the approval of the Main Investment Directorate of the country. At the legislative level, there is no minimum investment threshold. By default, investment projects from 300 thousand dollars are considered. Each investor is interviewed and approved by the project in the specified Office. Initially, an application for investment is submitted remotely. The first interview with the investor is also conducted online. Upon approval, an investor visa is opened for him. The next interview takes place directly in Saudi Arabia. An investor visa is issued for a period of one year, during this period you can apply for a residence permit, which will initially be valid for two years. After a two-year period, an evaluation of the performance of investments in the Saudi economy will be made. If the result is positive, the aforementioned office applies for an extension of the residence permit for a foreign investor, which is possible in this case already for the next five years. After this period, a foreign investor has the right to apply for permanent residence.

Country currency - Saudi riyal

1 Saudi riyal is equal to 0.27 US dollars.

The most attractive sectors of the Saudi economy for foreign investors are:

• oil production and oil refining;
• banking;
• IT technologies;
• telecommunications.

Business immigration

Business immigration to Saudi Arabia is also closely related to investment activity. In this country, you can register your own company or purchase a stake in an existing business. At the same time, the foreign co-owner must own at least 33% of the company's shares. The same Main Investment Department, which is responsible for attracting foreign capital and supervises the opening and running of business by foreign entrepreneurs, deals with the consideration of business plans of foreign entrepreneurs. A businessman with foreign citizenship can initially obtain a commercial visa, based on which a residence permit is requested for up to one year. Subject to all the rules of doing business, the residence permit can be extended for another five years.

The right to move to Saudi Arabia along with investors and businessmen are also members of their families.

Almost every family has a servant. But again, this is a necessity, not a luxury. For example, without a driver anywhere. As I said, there is no public transport. With taxi drivers, not every Muslim husband will let his wife go, so you need your own, proven one. There are many children in families, so a maid is hired to look after the children and the house. Domestic staff services are quite cheap. For example, the salary of a maid who works 24 hours a day is $1000-1500.

Xenia Ivanova

https://www.gazeta.ru/lifestyle/style/2017/01/a_10476539.shtml

The main stages of immigration to Saudi Arabia

The main stages of immigration to Saudi Arabia are:

• opening a visa;
• obtaining a residence permit;
• obtaining permanent residence;
• entry into the allegiance.

Let's consider each of them in more detail.

Visa

Visas to the Kingdom are as follows:

• workers;
• investor;
• commercial;
• student;
• family;
• tourist;
• pilgrimage;
• transit.

Every Russian who wants to immigrate to Saudi Arabia must first apply for an entry permit to this country. To do this, you can visit the Royal Embassy in Moscow or a visa center in another region of the country, first finding out on the embassy website which visa centers issue entry permits and where they are located.

A visa at the embassy is issued within two weeks, and at the visa center - about a week longer. The cost of registration is different and depends on the type. For example, the price will range from $14 for a work visa to $134 for investors.

The first step on the path of immigration will be the issuance of a Saudi visa

Residence

On the basis of a visa, a residence permit is requested. To do this, already in Saudi Arabia, contact its immigration service with a package of documents. You must apply during the validity period of your visa. Conditions and terms are different for different categories of applicants. As a rule, a residence permit is initially valid for one or two years. After that, it must be extended. Renewal usually occurs for five years or less (at the request of the applicant).

The state duty for the initial receipt of a residence permit will be 155 US dollars. Renewal of the status will cost almost twice as much.

Permanent residence

Permanent residence can only be obtained if there are good reasons. The status becomes available after five years of residence in the country with a residence permit. It is important to know that a temporary resident should not be absent from Saudi Arabia during the period of validity of the residence permit for more than six months in a row.

Upon receipt of permanent residence, you will need to pass certain tests. They are somewhat different for Muslims and representatives of other religions. It is easier for Muslims to pass the tests, since many questions relate to the traditional foundations of Islamic society. These tests are considered integration, a foreigner must be well versed in national traditions.

When obtaining the status of a permanent resident, there is no need to pass an exam in knowledge of the Arabic language. It is enough to speak English. By the way, you can also pass an integration test on it. If the applicant speaks Arabic, then this will be an indisputable advantage for him. Upon receipt of permanent residence, the state duty will be $175.

Video: Documentary on Saudi Arabia

Citizenship

Obtaining Saudi citizenship is extremely difficult. Officially, it becomes available after five years of permanent residence in the Kingdom. Over a five-year period, the holder of permanent residence must not leave Saudi Arabia for a period of more than six months in total. As you can see, the residency requirement consists of 5 years with a residence permit, then 5 years with permanent residence. And that turns out 10 years. Only foreign spouses of Arabians are entitled to a shortened period of obtaining citizenship (5 years).

Citizenship can be conferred on an individual basis by the king for special services to his country. In this case, no additional conditions will be required.

It is also difficult to obtain citizenship of Saudi Arabia because its applicant must score a certain number of points. For example, the foreign spouse of an Arabian, in order to obtain citizenship, must be married for five years, give birth to a child (as a result - 23 points). A male foreigner applying for citizenship of the Kingdom must score at least 23 points out of 33 possible. Compliance with the residency requirement for 10 years in the end gives 10 points. The rest relate to the professional activity of the applicant. For example, a higher medical or engineering education corresponds to 13 points. It turns out that after living in Saudi Arabia for 10 years and having the appropriate education, you can become its citizen. If the applicant for citizenship has a higher humanitarian education, then only 10 points will be awarded to him. And he does not have enough "passing score". But at the same time, those with a doctorate degree are charged an additional 8 points, masters - 5 points.

The accrual system is very complex, it includes family ties with the citizens of the Kingdom, and religion, and knowledge of the Arabic language, and much more. We have given only a general concept of this process.

In Saudi Arabia, dual citizenship is prohibited for everyone. At the same time, there is no state duty for obtaining Saudi citizenship.

Someone out there wanted to go to Saudi Arabia... And only now they gave women the right to vote. And before that, they were, as it were, not people, apparently. Now women there will be able to vote in municipal elections, as well as stand for them as candidates. Also, women, according to the king, will be able to be appointed to the Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura), an advisory body under the king. The members of this council are appointed by the King of Saudi Arabia, and the current composition of the council is all male.

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Documents for obtaining resident status

Upon obtaining the status of a resident, you will need to provide the following documents:

• foreign passport with a visa;
• 3 photos 3.5 * 4.5 cm, black and white;
• religion certificate. This document must be obtained from your church, translated into Arabic or English, and then certified by a notary. It would seem that in this case it is possible to go for falsification, but for the Arabians, faith is holy and they do not even imagine that in this situation it is possible to deceive the Almighty and the immigration officers;
• certificate of absence of AIDS and tuberculosis;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• an extract from a bank account on the movement of funds on it for six months;
• grounds for requesting status (employment contract, invitation from a university, marriage certificate with an Arabian, and so on);
• receipt of payment of all administrative fees.

When obtaining a residence permit, documents can be submitted in English or directly in Arabic. Copies are notarized.

A certificate of no criminal record is included in the list of documents for obtaining resident status

Where to go

All immigration documents are handled by a special immigration police department. Its representative offices operate in all large and small cities of the country.

Upon receipt of a residence permit, you will need to undergo a fingerprinting procedure. As a rule, fingerprints are taken on modern equipment at the offices of the police immigration department.

How long will you have to wait

A residence permit will have to wait no more than two weeks, with a permanent residence it is somewhat more difficult. You'll have to be patient for a month. But the Saudi passport will have to wait up to six months.

What to do if denied

The Saudi Arabian authorities may well refuse to issue a residence permit. The most unpleasant thing is that, if they refuse, they may not even voice the reason. The applicant may file an appeal with the immigration office within two working weeks. This can be successful if the authorities have misinterpreted any of the applicant's documents or his personal situation.

If the appeal is rejected, you can go to court. But the process is unlikely to win. The hearing will be held in Arabic and according to local laws. Therefore, the appellant will need, at a minimum, the assistance of an interpreter and an immigration attorney.

Most often, they refuse because of the potential threat to the national security of the Kingdom, which the applicant may pose, or because of an incorrectly prepared package of documents. If, for example, with European countries, the reason for the refusal is usually clear, as well as the further actions of the applicant, then in Saudi Arabia they may be refused even without sufficient grounds. For example, even an anti-Islamic statement in social networks can serve as a reason…

The fact is that in the Kingdom (as in all six oil-producing countries of the Arabian Peninsula) taxes are not levied on citizens. Both from the natives and migrants (!), - this is the principled position of the authorities, arising from Islamic ethics. To levy taxes on subjects is to exploit them. The Saudi monarchy does not agree with this. Neither natives nor migrants pay income tax (in Germany, for example, such a tax is from 8.95% to 28%, and in Australia - 19-54%), value added tax (VAT) applies only to cigarettes and energy drinks.

Evgeny Zelenev

https://www.fontanka.ru/2016/04/22/087/

What to be afraid of illegal immigrants

Illegal migration from Russia to Saudi Arabia is a rarity. This is difficult to do due to the strictness of local laws, and also because an illegal foreigner will be immediately “surrendered” to the police by the local population. The Arabians are very scrupulous about the observance of laws and always inform the authorities about an illegal migrant.

The punishment will definitely be deportation. You will also have to pay a fine of about 300 dollars. In the future, a ban on visiting the Kingdom will be imposed for at least five years. Although even after its expiration, it is unlikely that you will be able to apply for a Saudi visa.

To immigrate to Saudi Arabia, you must fully meet the criteria of this country. Despite all the difficulties, moving to sunny Arabia will open up new horizons of life, starting from employment, and ending with the knowledge of the wonderful world of the Arab East.

Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has changed significantly, both economically and socially. For example, since 2015, local women have gained the right to participate in municipal elections, and since 2018, the fair sex can drive a car on their own. Opportunities for professional employment have also been significantly expanded. However, work in Saudi Arabia for girls, also from abroad, is very limited. There are small chances for employment in the field of health care or education.

Jobs in Saudi Arabia in 2020 for men, including Russians and Ukrainians, are primarily related to oil sector. About 87% of the country's income and 90% of all exports come from petroleum products. On the other hand, local authorities are trying to modernize the economy and diversify the sources of filling the budget. Qualified foreign specialists can find vacancies in Saudi Arabia in the field of tourism, construction, information technology, telecommunications and some other industries.

Features of employment in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a wealthy Middle Eastern country with at least one-sixth of the world's oil reserves. Climatic conditions are not the most pleasant, mostly hot and dry weather prevails throughout the territory. Saudi Arabia population 2020 is about 34.8 million people.

Up to 90% of local residents are Arabs, the rest are mostly from Asia and Africa. The official religion is Islam. The country has strict laws and special traditions that labor migrants need to know and take into account even before moving to Saudi Arabia.

The labor legislation of Saudi Arabia is designed to maximize the provision of jobs for citizens of the country, especially young people. It is very difficult for foreigners to break into the labor market of this Arab state. Every year the authorities set special quotas on the number of foreign workers and in case of non-compliance with these conditions, companies face large fines.

In the field of unskilled labor, the main competition is made up of residents of Southeast Asia, many of them arrive in the country illegally, which is strongly discouraged. Also, according to some estimates, more than 125 thousand specialists from Western countries work in Saudi Arabia.

The main task of a foreign applicant is to first find an employer who will act as a sponsor and issue all the necessary documentation, including a work permit and a visa. This process usually takes a long time, so it is important to be patient.

To obtain a work visa to Saudi Arabia ( Iqama) it is necessary to have an employment contract, appropriate education to perform professional activities and undergo a comprehensive medical examination. As a rule, a visa is issued for a long period, which is previously requested by the employer.

Important. Foreign workers should be aware that leaving Saudi Arabia is allowed only with the consent of the company and local authorities, even the foreigner's passport is often kept by the employer.

Job search in Saudi Arabia without intermediaries

As already mentioned, it is very difficult for Russians and other foreigners from the CIS countries to find work in Saudi Arabia. Competitive advantages must be very significant. For example, possession English language, and preferably also Arabic are the necessary conditions.

You will also need higher education, qualifications and experience. That is, the future employer should be extremely interested in attracting a foreign applicant, for whom he will bear a considerable share of responsibility, including compliance by the foreigner with local laws.

Very often, vacancies in Saudi Arabia are received by foreign employees of international companies operating in the country ( Procter & Gamble, Nestlé and Siemens). Cities are considered popular destinations for employment Riyadh, Jeddah and Yanbu. Pay special attention to large companies in Saudi Arabia, which often open jobs for foreign specialists. For example, Saudi Aramco and Saudi Telecom Company.

In most cases, foreigners find work in Saudi Arabia through specialized recruiting agencies that operate in many countries around the world. With the help of such companies, specialists in specific professions for which there is a demand are recruited. Often, the employee is charged for intermediary services in the amount of 10-20% from the annual salary. A longer option is to independently search for a job in Saudi Arabia.

Top Job Search Sites in Saudi Arabia

Newspapers in Saudi Arabia

Actively use social networks, visit forums, contact employers directly or look for recruitment agencies. The resource saudianyellowpages.com will help with this.

The indisputable advantages of employment in Saudi Arabia include the absence of income tax, moderate prices, medical care and other social benefits. Compared to other countries in the region, local workers earn high salaries.

Of course, a lot depends on the profession. The average salary in Saudi Arabia in 2020 reaches 2-3 thousand dollars a month. However, foreigners often receive a lower amount.

So, for the Saudis, the minimum wage is set at 3,000 local riyals ( about 800 dollars), but only for the public sector. There is currently no minimum wage in the private sector. The same applies to foreigners.

If we consider specific professions in Saudi Arabia, then on average a waitress earns about 600 dollars, au pair until $800, guide to $1200, builder before 3000 dollars, IT specialist until $4000, oil industry workers up to $5500.

In addition to the oil industry, jobs in Saudi Arabia for Russians or Ukrainians in 2020 are available for builders, doctors, programmers, English teachers in private educational institutions, sometimes financiers and bankers are required. In principle, the list of possible options for working in Saudi Arabia is quite diverse. The main thing is perseverance and, to some extent, luck.

Saudi Arabia, despite its rigid and demanding attitude towards religion, has a large number of expats. Thanks to the fact that a few years ago women were allowed to work in Saudi Arabia, many foreigners rushed to this country for employment. Russians are no exception. Doctors, engineers, IT specialists and just workers go to Saudi Arabia for high salaries. It should be noted that people go there to work, in the truest sense of the word, since it will not work to combine with an idle life, such as many Europeans are used to. In Saudi Arabia, all kinds of entertainment are officially canceled, you will not see any bars or nightclubs.

In the workplace, expats need to be extremely vigilant and attentive to themselves; for a successful career, it is important to follow many rules, including business etiquette. Naturally, appearance is not the last place criterion, and jokes about religion or politics over a cup of coffee with a colleague can be the reason for dismissal.

The Saudis are also extremely serious about checking the educational documents of applicants for employment. If in the case of other countries, you can first prepare your documents: translate into a foreign language, legalize, then first you need to accurately determine the employer, get the necessary invitations, a contract from him, and only then it will be possible to legalize your diploma.

Consular legalization of diplomas for Saudi Arabia can be called one of the most difficult in terms of the registration procedure. The legalization process itself takes about 3 weeks, which includes:

• notarization of copies of documents, 100 r / 1 page.
• translation into English and/or Arabic, 480 rubles and 750 rubles/1 translation page
• notarial certification of translations, 700 rubles/1 document
• passing the stages of legalization: the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, 5000 rubles / 1 document

But the above process is not the most difficult stage of document legalization for Saudi Arabia. It is also necessary to legalize the original diploma in Ankara at the SA Cultural Attaché in Ankara. This service is not provided even by the official representative office (accredited company - Visa Center) of the SA Embassy in Moscow.

Our legalization center takes care of all the hassle of interacting with Ankara, including sending documents from Moscow to Ankara and back to Moscow. But to start the process of legalizing your educational documents, you need to collect a certain package of documents, which is strictly mandatory.

1. Diploma originals and applications
2. Original or copy of an employment agreement (contract) with an employer from Saudi Arabia, certified by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the KSA
3. Original archival certificate from the university confirming the issuance of a diploma
4. A copy of the invitation for a work visa or a copy of the work visa itself
5. Letter of request from the employer addressed to the attache for the legalization of the diploma. This document must be certified by the Saudi Arabian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Unfortunately, the process of legalization with an attaché is not fast. Despite the provision of many supporting documents indicated above, the attache independently sends a request to the university in order to confirm the fact of training and issue a diploma. The submitted documents are legalized only after the university responds to the attache's request. The whole process of consular legalization of diplomas for Saudi Arabia can take approximately 2 months.

We provide full consular legalization of documents for Saudi Arabia.

If necessary, we deliver documents in Moscow, throughout Russia, as well as anywhere in the world by courier services: DHL, UPS, Fedex, TNT, Major, PonyExpress, CDEK, etc.

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