Good Morning,

I have been given a verbal offer of a position in Saudi Arabia, 2 year contract, starting September 2016.

In April 2017 I will be 60 (partway through the first year of my contract).

I know that, in Dubai where I worked for 8 years, you can work beyond 60 but the visa situation changes to 1 year at a time.

What is the situation for over 60's in Saudi?

Thank You

I believe it's the same as you experienced in Dubai although I'm not 100% sure on that.

There are over 60s here but some companies won't let you work beyond that as a direct hire and insist instead that you switch to a contractor company if they want you beyond 60.

A lot of companies have switched to only issuing a one year Iqama ( Residency Permit ) , so you'll in theory be no different.

The only additional issue may be that you have to undergo a Medical Examination when it comes to the company renewing your Medical Insurance. Some of the insurance companies insist on this for the over 60's.

Public sector in Qatar gets rid of employees at age 60, but exceptions can be made on a yearly basis for key expat staff, but very rare to see an employee beyond 63.
The private sector has a lot more flexibility. I know lots of professional staff in their 60's and one in his early 70's (Construction site based too, and doing a fantastic job).

Public sector in Saudi gets rid of employees at age 60 Hijri ~58 Gregorian years and 75 days.

The position I have been offered is at a fee paying private school. I assume this is not classed as public sector?

The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Labour will have a say - but it should be okay. My last job was with KFUPM which is a public sector university. I retired aged 64 but had colleagues aged 70+. Those over 60 were kept on subject to positive annual reports.

From October last year iqamas are history and all are being phased out this year as they expire.

Now, it's a permit called Muqeem with a five year validity which is renewed by your company online annually. What happens to over 60s is an interesting question in light of this change.

So I have had the formal offer via email and sent copies of passport, certificates etc. Waiting for written/physical contract.

As I will be making a new application, does this mean I will be given a Muqeem?

yes you should be as iqamas are no longer being issued.