Offer of position in Riyadh- Advice Please!!

LeonMikeMikeMike · Newbie Joined: Aug 15, 2009 Posts: 2

Hi All

New to this forum Very Happy

! Ive recently been offered a position in Riyadh with BAE systems and if possible would like some advice on the pros and cons of living and working there.

The package is just over £40k (UK pounds), plus paid housing (and utility bills) in an expat compound. My first question is what is the cost of living like in Riyadh and will I realistically save much of my salary during my time there?

Second question, what are the expat compounds like in terms of standard, social life, sports facilities and clubs?

Thirdly, my wife plans to remain in the UK and visit Riyadh for month long periods throughout each year between me coming back to the UK for holidays. We thought this would work quite well as a) she works in training and can easily do contract work when in the UK thus keeping her own career going and b) there is a long wait for married accomodation in the compound. Has anyone else worked this kind of set up and if so how did u find it? Also any other info on spouses visitiing/living in the region and the activities and lifestyle for them would be helpful.

Forth,the working week associated with the post is 48 hours per week. This is a long week by UK standards but assume it is the norm in Saudi?

Fifth, how did everyone find working with Saudi nationals in terms of cultural/business practice differences? Anything in particular to be aware of?

Sixth, how stringent are the security clearance procedures for entering the country? I have received the criminal declarations forms which state that anything 'spent' does not have to be declared, meaning I would not have to declare a breach of the peace for when I was 18. Will this be uncovered at a later stage? Also will a 3 point driving penalty make any odds?

Seven, any other info that anyone thinks may be useful would be much appreciated!!

Apologies for rambling on, only just realised how much content there is to this post when I read it back!!

All responses gratefully received Smile

Thanks!

aagibson

Welcome to the forum.
The paid housing is one of the most important features of your package. After that you should think about transportation. You can lease a car (jeep, landcruiser is advisable). Prices new range from 100.000sar up to.....160.000+++ add about 7% for finance charges per year. If you get a vehicle provided, its a bonus as you wont need to worry about servicing etc.

If you are living a bachelor lifestyle, you should be able to live on 5.000sar a month for everything. Again, depends on if you like to eat out.

I think BAE have their own compounds, and the social life would be quite good when you get to know colleagues. Advice is to get yourself out to the embassies as there is a lot of networking goes on and you will get to know about parties and activities.

Most compounds have good gym and recreational facilites, which tend to be underused. So you should be able to make full use of them.

Visiting for wives is perfectly normal, the visa process should be handles by your company quickly. 1 month or 3 month visas are easy to get. She will probably get bored quickly, as the main activity is shopping! There is no shortage of places to spend your money.

48 hours is quite normal. See the link in the forum to the Saudi Labour Law. Some companies work 5 days a week, some 5.5days or even 6.
Check that out is you are worried about it beforehand. You shouldnt worry about it if you are here on your own, since you will be working most of the time anyway (right?).

Working with Saudi nationals depends on your outlook on life, be prepared to work under people who are less experienced and higher paid than you, and be prepared to bite your tongue once in a while. Saudis are proud of their country and mostly are respectful of westerners because they can earn from them. You will find a lot of discrimination goes on and there is a definite class society heirarchy. I dont have any experience of BAE, but it will no doubt be more like normal than purely local organisations.

Dont worry about security on arrival. You will have to present a card to immigration, get a picture taken and fingerprints done. If you have visited US before,it is similar to that.

Your 3 points on your license will make no odds.

I hope everything goes smoothly. Re visit the forum regularly for more posts from other members who perhaps have connections with BAE or can advise on other experiences.

Best of luck.

Alan.

LeonMikeMikeMike · Newbie Joined: Aug 15, 2009 Posts: 2

Alan thanks very much for your reply, a lot of helpful information contained there.

You taking the time to respond to my post is much appreciated

Thanks again

cheers! Laughing