Living in Saudi Arabia
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Saudi Arabia – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Saudi Arabia
Help from the Saudi government
For any questions about moving to or living in Saudi Arabia, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Riyadh cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Saudi Arabia.
Professional help in Saudi Arabia
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Saudi Arabia, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Saudi Arabia to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Saudi Arabia. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Laws and cultural differences
Read about laws and cultural differences in safety and security in the travel advice for Saudi Arabia. This includes:
- carrying personal ID
- dress codes
- offences that could result in a death sentence
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Saudi Arabia before you travel. This includes rules around exit and re-entry permits.
Visas and residence permits
Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in Saudi Arabia.
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- join family
You must get a medical report for work and residency permits. The Saudi government will not grant permits to anyone testing positive for HIV/AIDS.
Saudi visas use the Hijri Islamic calendar. You can use the Muqeem platform (in Arabic and English, requires sign in) or Absher app (in Arabic and English, requires sign in) to check your permitted length of stay. There are heavy fines and sometimes prison sentences if you overstay your visa.
For more information, contact the Saudi Embassy in London.
Sponsorship
You’ll need an invitation to live in Saudi Arabia. You must get this through a sponsor, who is normally your employer.
Sponsors are responsible for your welfare and conduct in Saudi Arabia. If you break the terms of your visa, they could get a heavy fine. They may pass these fines on to you.
Registering as a resident
Once you arrive, your sponsor must arrange a residence permit (‘Iqama’) for you.
Permanent residency
You may be able to get permanent residency by applying for premium residency in Saudi Arabia.
Citizenship
Saudi Arabia does not recognise dual citizenship. This means you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Saudi citizen.
Read about laws against carrying 2 passports in safety and security in the travel advice for Saudi Arabia.
To find out if you’re eligible for Saudi citizenship:
- read guidance on obtaining Saudi citizenship
- contact the Saudi Ministry of the Interior
- contact the Saudi Embassy in London
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Riyadh cannot help with Saudi visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- the Saudi Embassy in London
- the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visas)
- the Saudi Ministry of the Interior (citizenship)
- an English-speaking lawyer in Saudi Arabia
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Resident women and children
Married women must get their husband’s permission to leave Saudi Arabia. Unmarried women and children need their father or male guardian’s permission.
Read about entry requirements for Saudi Arabia.
Contact the Saudi Embassy in London for more information.
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in Saudi Arabia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Saudi Arabia does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs.
Your sponsor must provide you with medical insurance. Your insurance coverage type will decide which medical facilities you can use.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in Saudi Arabia, including checking your prescriptions are legal
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Saudi Arabia
Working in Saudi Arabia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Saudi Arabia, you must have a residence permit (‘Iqama’). Your Iqama must list your current employer.
You cannot not use an electronic visa waiver to work or be employed by a company in Saudi Arabia . However, you can use a visa waiver for temporary business trips of up to 6 months, for example, to attend meetings and conferences.
You cannot change your job or transfer your sponsorship without your current sponsor’s agreement. It’s important you get legal advice before accepting a new contract. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Saudi Arabia.
You’re not allowed to leave the country once an employment case is in the labour courts. It can take the courts many years to finalise a case. See employment disputes in Saudi Arabia (PDF, 315KB).
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Saudi Arabia, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in Saudi Arabia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
Read about road travel in Saudi Arabia, in safety and security in the travel advice for Saudi Arabia. This includes information on driving in Saudi Arabia, including driving licence rules.
Your sponsor can help you exchange your UK driving licence for a Saudi licence.
You must always carry your driving licence and vehicle ownership papers when driving. You’ll get a fine if you’re caught without the correct paperwork.
You cannot renew or replace a UK licence if you live in Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of the Interior’s digital services platform (Absher) has online services for drivers and vehicles, including:
Taking your vehicle outside Saudi Arabia
If you do not own your vehicle outright, you must get permission from the creditor to take the vehicle out of the country. For example, you’d have to do this if you got a local bank loan or bought on hire-purchase.
You must get a vehicle registration form (‘Istimara’) for each country you travel to, each time you travel. You can do this through your employer or contact the General Department of Traffic.
As a foreign national, to travel outside Saudi Arabia in a Saudi registered vehicle, you must have:
- a valid passport and driving licence
- a valid residency permit (‘Iqama’)
- a letter of introduction from your sponsor
- the original vehicle registration (‘Istimara’)
- international Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) insurance
- an electronic ‘external authorisation’ from the owner
- a trip ticket (carnet de passage)
Also, you must:
- submit a customs declaration at the port of entry
- complete a vehicle export form
- make sure there are no outstanding traffic violations against the vehicle or the driver
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for a Saudi digital disabled parking certificate.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Saudi Arabia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Saudi Arabia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority or HM Revenue and Customs for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Saudi Arabia. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Saudi Arabia.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Saudi pension
If you’ve worked in Saudi Arabia, contact the General Organisation for Social Insurance to find out whether you can claim a Saudi pension.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Saudi benefits
Read the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s guidance on social protection to find out whether you can claim benefits in Saudi Arabia.
As a non-Saudi citizen, you may be entitled to limited Saudi benefits.
Buying and renting property in Saudi Arabia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Generally, although there are important restrictions, foreign nationals can own land in Saudi Arabia. Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Saudi Arabia if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Saudi Arabia
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Saudi elections
You cannot vote in Saudi municipal elections unless you hold Saudi citizenship.
Studying in Saudi Arabia
If you plan to study in Saudi Arabia, you must meet all visa or residence permit requirements.
For more information:
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Saudi Arabia
- contact the Saudi Ministry of Education
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Saudi Ministry of Education provides information about the school system in Saudi Arabia.
For more information, read the Saudi government’s guidance on admission rules for residents and visitors.
Childcare
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development regulates private childcare services in Saudi Arabia.
Read their child support guidance for more information.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Saudi Arabia, register the birth with the Saudi authorities. To register the birth, you and your spouse must show a marriage certificate. You must get your marriage certificate legalised – for guidance on how to do this, read documents for British people abroad.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Saudi Arabia, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Saudi Arabia. For information about LGBT+ rights in Saudi Arabia, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Saudi Arabia.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Saudi Arabia.
Documents for British people in Saudi Arabia
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Saudi Arabia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Saudi Arabia, read guidance on:
- applying for a Saudi pet exit and entry permit
- taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
You need a final exit visa to leave Saudi Arabia – your sponsor will arrange this.
Before the visa can be granted, you must:
- settle all debts and fines
- transfer out of your name all vehicles, mobile phones and credit
- close your bank accounts
- get your fingerprints taken at your local police station
You should also apply for a police clearance certificate, as these cannot be issued once you’ve left. See our good conduct and police clearance request letters and download the police clearance letter for Saudi Arabia. Take it to your local police station to start the process.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Saudi authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Guidance added on what to do if you are asked by local authorities to validate documents by swearing an oath, affidavit or affirmation.
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Attachments update
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
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Employment disputes in Saudi Arabia
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Information update: Employment disputes in Saudi Arabia
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First published.