Saudi Arabia is home to over 30 local and international banks, so if you are an expat living there, you won’t struggle for options when it comes to banking. Studies conducted in 2019 show that four domestic banks in the country account for roughly 57% of total sector assets. These establishments are the National Commercial Bank (NCB), Al Rajhi Bank, Samba Bank, and the Riyad Bank. All banks in Saudi Arabia are overseen by the Saudi Arabia Monetary Authority (SAMA).   more ...

Saudi Arabia (officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) is a country constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula. Geographically, Saudi Arabia is the largest sovereign state in Western Asia, and the second-largest in the Arab world (after Algeria). Saudi Arabia is bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast and Yemen to the south. It is the only country with both a Red Sea coast and a Persian Gulf coast.   more ...

The prosperous, oil-rich Gulf state of Saudi Arabia has long been an attractive prospect for expats seeking employment, particularly in the oil and gas sectors. However, in recent years this has started to change and there has been something of an exodus of foreign workers from the country.   more ...

One of the most overwhelming aspects of expat life is, without a shadow of a doubt, navigating a foreign tax system. It’s a crucial process with serious implications if you fail to comply, and is one that can be fraught with frustrations and confusion. Particularly in a country which may be very different from the home you are used to, the ins and outs of the specific taxes that you need to pay can cause you to feel stressed and disorientated.   more ...

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Saudi Arabia and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.   more ...

When choosing your ideal expat destination, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) might not be the first place that pops into your mind. The culture and lifestyle in this conservative Middle Eastern nation is completely different from that of many Western countries. The constitution in the birthplace of Islam is based on religious beliefs and the authorities are rather strict. Officials ensure that the residents, locals and foreigners follow the laws that have been laid down at all times.   more ...

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Saudi Arabia and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.   more ...

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Saudi Arabia and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.   more ...

Being an expat is always a challenge, no matter how eager you are for new experiences and how willing you are to suffer confusion or discomfort. However, living in Saudi Arabia can be a particularly trying experience for some. The restrictions on most aspects of life leave very little to do outside of work, and flouting the norms is not just a question of impropriety - most restrictions have the law behind them, and the consequences of breaking them are severe.   more ...

Saudi Arabia is a deeply conservative country that is governed by Sharia law. Saudi nationals strictly adhere to the dress code. The rules are slightly more relaxed for expats, especially within compounds, but they are expected to abide by the dress code in the public space. The traditional dress for Saudi men is the thobe, an ankle-length garment that is quite suitable for the desert climate of Saudi Arabia. It is usually white in color, but men wear darker colors too especially during winters. There is also a headdress that goes along with the thobe. Saudi women are expected to cover their everyday clothes in public with a loose-fitting, opaque cloak.   more ...