Hi,
I have a job offer from a consulting company in Saudi Arabia.

The school allowance is very low that I will have to fork out 50% at least of school fees from my salary. Apparently, school allowance is based on job level at company.

My cost/budget spreadsheet says it’ll barely be worth relocating if I have to pay that much for school fees.


Secondly, I am told contract is for 1 year, and renewed annually which feels unusual for level of role I have and if I wanted such uncertainty, I could earn same amount as a contractor in UK?
Is it normal to be 1 year contract that is renewed even for “permanent” roles?

Is it a local consulting company?
30k school fees seems to be a bit of a standard response these days across the kingdom, which is about half if not less than what you'll pay for the more expensive schools in Riyadh which are anywhere from 60 - 100k per annum.

The 1 year contract renewed annually also seems to be a saudi hiring practice from what I've heard from Saudi friends. Seems risky for sure, its easy enough to get rid of people here, wouldn't want that extra pressure.

It’s a global technology consulting company, which is why I’m surprised at the fact the school allowance is so low and the 12 month term.

I know elsewhere in Middle East 12 months isn’t normal hence why I’m asking if it’s a Saudi thing!

And school allowance is 15k, so it’s more like 25% of fees.

the rolling one-year contract is common, if not standard in Saudi but the school fees are very low. Gone are the days where companies pony up the full tuition fees, but 50k per child is more ballpark.

Worth pointing out, the (academic) standards at the British & American schools are questionable compared to a UK state school, to be out of pocket as a result is a no-go.

thank you!