Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Thanks, and I totally understand the need to verify. I was more annoyed at the fact that 5 weeks had gone by without any communication what so ever. It took a Legal Director who I connected with on LinkedIn to take out time from his busy day to get me an update. Thankfully his intervention resulted in my degree being attested the next day.

A more streamlined process with more communication (that can largely be automated) would do wonders.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Anyone in Riyadh that can share advice on the following financial questions:

1. How much cash should I convert from GBP to SAR until my Iqama and bank account is set up?
2. I won't have cash for weeks so will need to use card, any creative ways to avoid bank fees for using card overseas?
3. Which Bank and Credit Card is best to use to build up airmiles to use on Saudi Airlines/BA and Emirates? Ideally one card that earns me points or airmiles on my spending but if that has to be split 2 cards then fine I just don't want to have millions of cards earning me a little bit across each airline but never enough to get freebies/upgrades?
4. Best bank/process to move money to my UK bank account for mortage and other bills etc.

thanks,
Hanan

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

1) I wouldn't carry wads of cash everywhere (this really applies worldwide not just in KSA), just have around SAR 500-1000 in cash with you at all times for general use and for large purchases pay by card whereever you can.

2) Before you leave UK, open a Starling bank account as their debit card offers free cash withdrawals and purchases anywhere in the world with 0% commission charged. As a backup, I would also open a Barclaycard Rewards credit card. This also gives you worldwide free cash withdrawals and purchases (no commission charged) and if you pay off your balance in full every month, then there is no interest charged on overseas cash withdrawals.. Obviously these cards will take a backburner once you open a local bank account, but they will help you out massively initially.

3) Sorry no idea.

4) I'm assuming (like in most places) that local banks offer very poor rates when converting from SAR to GBP. In which case you might be better off using a local money exchange bureau to send a GBP bank draft or SWIFT GBP bank transfer. Maybe ask western work colleagues for suggestions.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Thanks for the great advice. I bank with Barclays and HSBC, so should hopefully get this set up soon.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

I arrived in Riyadh last night. So far so good, but not too much to go on.

I am undergoing my quarantine (min 2 days then PCR test). I am trying to register for the tattaman and tawakkalna app but I can't get a verification code sent to my mobile. I am on roaming and can make/receive phone calls so no reason why I shouldn't get the verification code. The app lets you select UK (+44) and i've tried with and without the leading 0. Any advice?

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

On my tawwakalna homepage there's a picture of me with my Iqama number, so I'm guessing that you have to be a resident. It's the same picture that is on all my ID here, linked to my Absher account and the same registered phone number.

If you're a new arrival with no iqama then that's probably why.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

I've had to give my cousin's number and registered. The Tattaman app has my photo that was taken at the airport - I looked scruffy!
I used my Border ID (translated from arabic to english by my cousin).
So now I can observe quarantine as advised by the authorities.

Once out I will proceed asap to get a mobile number and my iqama.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Enjoy the experience! It's quite an alluring place. I kind of miss it

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

HB99 - your employer should be doing all that for you !

Maybe I was lucky to have competent and benevolent employers ? Saudi Arabian Airlines and then KFUPM.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

You'll get to know that photo well. I'm on the same one from 8 years, 2 jobs, and numerous IDs ago.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

So they never update it? To be honest I looked 30 when I was 16. Now i'm 31 I might be good for the next 15 years so that picture might hold.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Had my COVID19 test this morning. Expecting results in 8-12 hours - not long left. If all good I can go house viewing tomorrow and finally see the city of Riyadh.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Not so far anyway. I thought it strange when I changed jobs. I did final exit from the 1st job, went back to the UK and did everything all over again, but they still used the 1st photo.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Out of curiosity, has anyone here considered or got a mortgage in Riyadh? The rental market for villas (outside compounds) is bleak. Can't see many good ones, but for sale there are stunning properties within the 4x or 5x salary (UK rule of thumb).

Just looking at alternatives to compound living which considering it's rental is very expensive verses outside compound. Looking at all options.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Non GCC foreigners owning property is possible subject to permission from the ministry of interior I think, but more to the point...

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING??

Your life here is temporary and can be ended at any moment. You do not want to be terminated and in debt. Furthermore, even if you do own the property outright, what happens when you're terminated. Going to be very difficult to get rid of that property.

The best case scenario is that you know when you're leaving and still have to sell the property. Generally speaking Saudis like to move into a new place prebuilt, or buy the land and build themselves. Going to be very hard to sell that property.

So, to answer your question, I would say that not many have considered that. No one I've come across anyway, unless, and this is a big caveat, unless they were married to a Saudi.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Thanks nonthaburi.
That was the reason for asking the question. Those here know better than I do and so are the best people to ask and learn from.
I wasn't intending on buying straight away, but rather the idea (and that's all it was) was to rent out of compound for a year or two in a nice place but to save more and use those savings to put a deposit.
Some really good points raised. Think I'll stick to rental until I learn some more.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Good idea renting off compound. They can be very expensive, but you're not renting the property, you're renting the lifestyle and freedoms that go with the compound. But as long as you have friends to visit in compounds which you will in time it doesn't really matter that much. Off compound you can propably get a very nice villa with high walls in the 60k region.

Personally I'd be using any savings to pay off a mortgage in the UK, or putting savings towards buying in the UK. Forget about buying in Saudi.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

HB89
Buying real estate in KSA for someone in your position is a definite NO-NO.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Thanks for advice you two.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Just had my second COVID19 test after having to re-quarantine. I have to say the test here is much better than my UK Fit to Fly test. So much faster and much less invasive - hopefully not at the cost of accuracy.

Anyway, should get my results in around 12 hours and all being good I am once again a free man.

Priority number one get my Iqama medical done. Priority two...Find somewhere that does a christmas lunch! :D jk not jk.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

I’m in the Maldives. We may or may not get back!!

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

How are you getting on? I am sure I read the ban has been extended, are you stuck out there another week now?

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Yeah, stuck in Dubai. Emirates don’t want to know and apparently we aren’t covered on our insurance! Better than being stuck in Malé through I guess.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Ouch! Well hopefully you get back. Not like Emirates to have poor customer service.

I got my Iqama the other day. Which was great news, put a smile on my face for all of an hour until I got to a bank. I had my iqama and my letter from the company re salary etc...

I got there and there was one problem after another; device failed, then mid application had to register on Absher, then had to register an address on SaudiPost.sa which was a nightmare because I live in a hotel (villa not ready for a few more days). Turns out SaudiPost does it based on my gps location so I need to be at the hotel. That night I was moving to Al Nakhla, so had to do that then register the address. Did that. Then went on Absher, it's not activated need to go to a device to do that. Fine, went to the nearest one, tried 3 times not working. Others couldn't get it to work for them either. Went to another ATM and it wasn't there (damn google). Went to a third ATM and it had a queue out the mall into the carpark, pass!

Day after I got my absher activated.

Went online to begin process for Family Residency Visa and there is an issue with my job title on the e-platform so now I need to go to the Istiqadam office *slaps head*

Sunday I will go to our Government Relations team and get their help and if I have to go anywhere I'm dragging one of them with me.

Good news is I'm at Al Nakhla, need to view 2 villas and decide which one to go with. It's really nice and beautiful here. Now time for the gym.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

I’d try to have one where the garden backs straight out to the pool area if I had the chance, rather than that little path they have. We had a nice view from the bedroom to the pool when we had one. Depends on what’s available I guess.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

If you had a decent employer their "fixer" would do all of this or at least help you. To me their inactivity is an alarm bell !

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

There are 2 available. Ideally they'd be as close to the gym, preferably with a secret entrance :D

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

I'm going to ruffle some feathers. Not good enough for such a large company.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

I'm going to ruffle some feathers. Not good enough for such a large company.

Mmmmmmm how long have you been in KSA?

Ruffling feathers might not be in your best interest believe me

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

By 'Ruffle Some Feathers' I didn't mean it in that sense. I sent an email to cc'ing a few senior people about the issues I'm having and requested support which I've now got in abundance. I was perhaps too quiet and dealing with as much myself. This was in turn wasting time during work hours solving personal matters.

Anyhow, it's sorted. Iqama received, Bank account open, Visa application for family in progress and I move into my villa tomorrow.

I've been in Riyad since 14 Dec 2020.

Anyone with information on cheapest method to send money back to the UK? Pay mortgage, bills etc...

Also, I was recommended the Ajwaa Credit Card from Bank Aljazira which gives you points to spend on any airline. From what I've read seems to be the most flexible with points. Any one with anything to add?

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Cheapest - I am not sure. i used my own bank. Sometimes Al Rajhi or one of the other money exchanges. KSA has a very sophisticated banking and remittance system used by the lillions of foreign workers to remit money back home.

I often used Speedcash which is run by SAMBA (Saudi American Bank). I used to go downtown and stand in line. i am sure you can do it electronically. All the other banks offer similar facilities.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Got my Driving License today. Hopefully have a car by tomorrow so I can drive on Saturday morning on dead quiet roads getting used to being the other side.

Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to go to SABB and upgrade my account to Premier which according to their staff offers better exchange rates. I will share once I know.

Another great news my marriage and sons birth certificate has been stamped in the UK. Hopefully the scans will be accepted. If so I should be able to get my families residency visa soon and then fly them out to Dubai before coming here.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Well done. I enjoyed my time in KSA, spread over a long period in "chunks". Not for everyone. Having a good employer makes a difference.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Wow - you are motoring! I can get my Iqama soon, apparently.

We made it back from Dubai and have just finished quarantine. A bit confusing as to how long you have to do, but we did the 7 days. Anyone who went back to the UK has another week at least in Dubai or somewhere else before they can head back here, so good job we decided to do the Maldives instead.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Nice to have you back.

Yeah if you are from the UK you have to spend 14 days outside of the UK before entering KSA. When I arrived in KSA in December I had to re-quarantine and re-test.

I've been fortunate to have Saudi Arabian colleagues who are really keen to help with any issue. One of them kindly helped deal with all licence and car processes.

Just need to sort out families visa. My wife has sent scanned attested docs. The Govt Relations office is going to apply on my behalf with the scan hoping the UK passport is sufficient. If not then my wife will need to send me the originals. Fingers crossed they accept the scanned files. I'll then see my family around mid Feb. I miss them too much!

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Thanks for sharing the information regarding recruitment process. Very helpful. I am waiting for an offer at the moment. Do you mind sharing the split of base salary and housing? Need more insights regarding pay structure. I could not find much information for the detailed compensation package on this forum, particularly for Saudi jobs.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Hey, sorry for the late reply. I didn't get the notification:

If you are still waiting on the split mine is as follows: Base Salary + 25% Housing + 10% Transport.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Great, thanks! Hope all goes on well for your job!

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Your situation sounds very similar to the one I'm in. It would be great to connect to hear about how you're getting on. I'll PM you. Thanks.

Re: KSA Job Offer
 

Hey,

Happy to help with any questions. Feel free to DM or ask on here as my answers and the forums could help an onlooker.