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Living in Saudi Arabia

Language

Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia and the primary language used in all public dealings and transactions. English serves as an informal second language in the Kingdom and is spoken by a large portion of its society. All road signs are bilingual, displaying information in both Arabic and English.

Dress Code

At work

At work, nurses wear uniform.  If you are in a position that does not require uniform, you will wear business dress (likely with a lab coat).  Your business wear should be modest and non-figure hugging.  Ask your recruiter for advice if you are unsure what to pack.

Uniform is provided by the hospital but you should bring your own shoes.  Most nurses wear comfortable athletic shoes, likely similar to what you wear at home.

At home and in your free time

With the current relaxation of rules in Saudi Arabia there is little need nowadays to wear an Abaya one has to dress modestly. 

In public


It is not typically required that you cover your hair however, you should have a scarf with you at all times and cover your hair when asked.  

Men should wear conservative clothing in public (long sleeves, no shorts).  It is wise to have some suits for special occasions and events. Jewellery should also be worn conservatively (i.e. wedding ring and a watch is enough).

Saudi Arabia is hot - should I only bring summer clothes?

For a good portion of the year it is hot, so keep this in mind. Light, breathable clothing will keep you comfortable.  Indoors, however, the air conditioning is excellent so you should also pack light sweaters and a jacket. Winters in the past few years have been rainy and cold; there has been snow in the mountainous areas so pack some Winterwear also. 

Can I wear jewellery?

Of course! Shopping for gold jewellery in the souqs is a lot of fun.

Banking

How do I open a bank account? Can I transfer money home?

Banking is as sophisticated and easy as it is in your home country. Opening a bank account in Saudi Arabia is very straightforward.

Once you have your iqama (residence permit), you can go to the bank to open an account.  It can take a few weeks to get the iqama and the first appointment at the bank can be time consuming, but once you have your account set up, you can transfer money easily online or using the an ATM.

Can I use a credit card in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, you can use a credit card in Saudi Arabia. International credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Diner's Club are widely accepted. The country has been transitioning towards a cashless economy, and most businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and shops, accept credit cards

Housing

Will I need to find my own accommodation?

The hospital takes care of your housing needs by providing furnished accommodation at no extra cost, including utilities. This comfortable living space is typically located within a secure compound and conveniently close to the hospital, with free transportation to and from work available.  

Moreover, many employers now offer housing allowances, allowing our nurses the flexibility to explore living arrangements outside of hospital-provided accommodation if they choose. Enjoy the convenience and freedom of a supportive work environment that prioritizes your comfort

See some videos here.

Do I have to share accommodation?

You will always have your own bedroom and the spacious accommodation means you won't feel cramped.  Generally, having a housemate eases the settling-in process and most of our recruits find that it works out very well.

If you would prefer to live alone there are some hospitals that provide single apartments. 

Annual Leave

How much annual leave am I entitled to?

Each hospital has a slightly different contract.  You could have up to 61 days leave per year, depending on the hospital.

How soon can I take a holiday?

During the initial 90-day probationary period, you would only be granted leave for emergency purposes.

After you have passed your probationary period, it's just like any other working environment.  You will arrange your leave with the ward manager, as the ward schedule allows.

Can I take my family?

Typically, no.  Married status contracts are only awarded to senior nursing, administrative staff and medical consultants.  

Can my family and friends visit me?

Yes, it's easy to secure visit visas. Citizens from 49 Countries and Citizens with a Schengen visa can obtain online a 90 day visit visa.  Other Nationalities not eligible the hospital will not provide accommodation for your visitors. 

Keeping in touch

Keeping in touch with friends and family is just as easy as you're used to.  Shortly after arrival, you will be up and running with a SIM card and WiFI and be just as connected as you were before you left.

Free Time

As a woman, can I move around freely?

Yes, you are free to go out on your own at any time.  You will typically use taxis Uber and Kareem are popular  or you can use hospital-arranged transport to get around.  Using a taxi is very cheap and easy.  There is no shortage of drivers and most speak some English.  

Saudi Arabia has undergone significant changes in recent years, making it easier for women, including expats, to navigate daily life. However, it's always a good idea to stay informed about local laws and customs to ensure a smooth experience.

Thriving Social Life in Saudi Arabia: Busting the Myths and Embracing the Fun!


It's a common myth that working in Saudi Arabia equates to a dull social life. This couldn't be further from reality.

In fact, you can engage in nearly all the activities you enjoy at home--shopping, dining out, relaxing at the beach, hosting dinner parties, attending concerts, and so much more. Many newcomers are eager to join the Employee Social Club, a fantastic platform for discovering local events and connecting with new friends.

If sports are your passion, there's a team waiting for you! The well-established expat community in Saudi Arabia offers a diverse range of amateur sports clubs. Whether it's basketball, cricket, football, sailing, fishing, tennis, golf, or horse riding, you'll find plenty of options. For those who prefer individual activities, there are vibrant communities for aerobics, dancing, weightlifting, and running.

Moreover, you'll find clubs dedicated to drama, book discussions, and billiards, making the list of opportunities truly limitless. Many of our candidates have shared that their social lives flourished more than ever while living in Saudi Arabia!

Things to do in Saudi Arabia

What is the shopping like? Can I find everything I need in the stores there? 

Most things that are available in  Europe are available in Saudi Arabia, with the exception of items that are prohibited, such as alcohol, material with explicit content, and pork products.

The main things you need to know are:

  • Grocery stores are open at convenient times and will stock most of the items that you would expect.
  • Pharmacies are easily accessible.  A lot of medicines can be purchased over-the-counter.
  • The malls are huge - you'll have no difficulty with clothes shopping.
  • Electronics are as easy to find as they are at home. 
  • Jewellery shopping in the gold souqs is popular among expats and locals alike.
  • In some malls, where the sales clerks are male, there may not be fitting rooms.  You can either try clothes on at home and return them if necessary, or you can try them on in the restrooms - many have fitting room sections.  This is a quirk that you will soon get used to!

What about food? What is it like?

When it comes to food, Riyadh offers a delightful culinary experience due to its large expatriate community. You'll find a wide variety of familiar foods in the supermarkets, but for a more authentic experience, shopping for fresh produce in the vegetable souqs (markets) is highly recommended.

While it's comforting to have access to your native cuisine, don't miss out on the chance to explore authentic Middle Eastern food. Dishes like hummus and pita bread, baba ghanoush, and tabouleh are fantastic. Living in Riyadh is a great opportunity to expand your palate and enjoy the diverse range of culinary choices available!

What is the restaurant scene like?

You will find lots of recognisable names like Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Starbucks and their Arabic equivalents.

Restaurants range from local fast food kiosks selling delicious shawarma sandwiches to fine dining.  As you might expect in a country with a large expatriate community, you can find almost any national cuisine in Saudi Arabia.

Where can I go at weekends?

The first thing you will realise about living in the Middle East is that the travel opportunities are limitless.  It's one of the main reasons people choose to travel to Saudi Arabia and one of the main reasons that they stay for longer than planned! https://www.visitsaudi.com/es/things-to-do

There are many options within Saudi Arabia for long weekend trips.  Popular destinations include:

  • The Nabatean tombs in Madein Salah (500 km north of Jeddah)
  • The Hijaz Railway (made famous by Lawrence of Arabia)
  • The mountainous Asir region south of Jeddah
  • Desert or beach camping (the Red Sea coastline extends over 1800 km)
  • Diving off the Jeddah coast

In addition to local areas of interest, the neighboring countries are only an hour or two away by plane, so you'll suddenly find yourself with access to a whole range of destinations  for a quick weekend trip.  You can expect to be hopping over to Dubai or Abu Dhabi or even Egypt fairly regularly.

Further afield, you will have easy access to Africa, Asia, the Far East and Europe, so there will be no difficulty in finding ways to spend your generous annual leave allowance.

Can I purchase alcohol?

No.  Alcohol and products containing alcohol are strictly prohibited.

Can I smoke?

Yes - smoking is legal in Saudi Arabia and cigarettes are widely available.  However, women should not smoke in public.

Health

Can I get prescription medication or should I bring a supply with me?

Most prescription medications are available in Saudi Arabia.  If you have a specific requirement, it is worth asking your recruiter to ask about availability ahead of time.

If you choose to bring medication, keep your prescriptions in the original container from the pharmacy which states your name and the name of the medication.

Personal Care

Can women wear makeup?

Absolutely - so don't leave those make-up brushes at home!

Are there spas in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, and the good news is spa treatments are often cheaper than they are back home.  A spa day is a popular treat among expatriates.

Religion

As you would expect, religion is an extremely complex topic so our comments below should be considered as a brief overview. If you are interested in this topic, there are many good books you can read to learn more.

Religion means so many different things to everyone - faith, community, history, power, family, and even understanding the universe. 

In fact, religion - Islam or any other - often provides an enormous sense of comfort, understanding and community to people. Islam teaches peace, personal freedom, tolerance and charity - the same basic principles taught by Christianity and Judaism.

It is true - religion plays a larger role in Saudi Arabia than almost anywhere in the world. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Mohammed and of Islam, and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina are off limits to non-Muslims. Islam is the official and only religion of the country. It is common to see people in places such as the hospital waiting rooms and at the airport reading the Quran.

Religion definitely plays a large role in the daily lives of Muslim citizens and expatriates, but also to a certain extent, in the daily lives of non-Muslim expatriates as well. For example, prayer call is one of the five pillars of Islam. You hear it 5 times per day, and faithful worshipers often head to a mosque or prayer room each time the call is heardCertainly, it takes a little getting used to, but this doesn't take long.

It is very important to understand that taking a job in Saudi Arabia does not mean you are expected to become Muslim. Although non-Muslims cannot openly practice their religion, what you do in private (e.g., private prayer) is your own business.

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