Overview
How To Saudi Arabia is an independent online resource that provides comprehensive, step-by-step guidance for expats and newcomers navigating life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The platform covers everything from visa applications and bank account openings to understanding the Iqama residency permit, GOSI social insurance, and daily life in cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Khobar. Built by expats for expats, the site aims to demystify Saudi bureaucracy and help users save time and stress when relocating or settling in the country.
Key Features
- Visa & Immigration Guides: Detailed articles on work visas, tourist eVisa, family visas, and the residence permit (Iqama) process. Each guide includes required documents, step-by-step procedures, and links to official portals like Absher and Muqeem.
- Banking & Finance Tools: Guides on opening a bank account, comparing credit cards, understanding mada (debit card system), VAT, tax returns via ZATCA, and e-invoicing. A salary calculator helps users estimate net pay after GOSI deductions.
- City Guides: In-depth profiles of major Saudi cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Khobar. Each city page covers cost of living, neighborhoods, transportation, and things to do.
- Practical Life Tools: Resources for Absher registration, driving license exchange, SIM cards and internet providers, insurance options, and mortgage calculators.
- Cost of Living Calculator: An interactive tool that estimates monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and utilities based on user inputs.
- Community & Updates: A Facebook group for expats to share experiences and get local advice. The site is regularly updated to reflect policy changes under Vision 2030.
How It Works
Users start by browsing the homepage or using the search bar to find specific guides. The site is organized into clear categories: Visa & Immigration, Living Here, Money, and Tools. Each guide is written in plain English with numbered steps, required documents listed, and links to official government portals. For example, the bank account guide walks through choosing a bank (Al Rajhi, SNB, etc.), gathering documents (Iqama, passport, letter from employer), and visiting a branch. The salary calculator requires inputs like gross salary and allowances to compute net pay after GOSI and other deductions. City guides provide an overview of lifestyle, average rents, and popular districts.
Use Cases
- A professional relocating to Riyadh for a new job: Uses the work visa guide to understand the employer sponsorship process, then follows the bank account guide to set up salary transfer. The cost of living calculator helps negotiate a competitive package.
- A family moving to Jeddah: Reads the family visa and Iqama renewal guides, checks the city guide for family-friendly neighborhoods and international schools, and uses the driving license guide to exchange their home country license.
- A freelancer or remote worker: Explores the premium residency (self-sponsorship) option, reviews banking options for non-salaried individuals, and uses the tax guide to understand ZATCA obligations.
- A student or short-term visitor: Checks the tourist eVisa requirements, reads about SIM cards and internet, and browses things to do in Dammam or Khobar.
Who It's For
How To Saudi Arabia is designed for expats, foreign professionals, and anyone considering a move to Saudi Arabia. It is especially useful for newcomers who find official Arabic-language portals confusing. The site competes with general expat forums like Expat.com and InterNations, but differentiates itself with structured, up-to-date guides and practical calculators. It is also valuable for HR professionals and relocation agents who need a reliable reference for employee onboarding.
Pros
- Comprehensive coverage of visa, banking, and daily life topics in one place.
- Step-by-step guides with specific document lists and official links.
- Interactive calculators for salary and cost of living.
- Regularly updated to reflect Vision 2030 policy changes.
- Independent and unbiased, with no government or corporate sponsorship.
Cons
- Some guides may become outdated if policies change rapidly.
- Limited interactive features beyond calculators (no personalized dashboard).
- Relies on affiliate links for monetization, which may affect perceived objectivity.
