Saudi Arabia is a popular destination for foreign workers seeking lucrative employment due to its prominence in the oil business, which continues to be a major employer. However, the Saudi economy is shifting toward other profitable industries in line with the country’s 2030 strategy, a growing population, and significant cultural and social development.
The Kingdom is currently more interested in international investment than foreign labor. Once more, there are increasing prospects for new enterprises and jobs due to ambitious infrastructure and building projects like NEOM, a cross-border high-tech city in Tabuk, northwest Saudi Arabia. The entertainment industry is likewise in great demand; movies theaters, concerts, and festivals are fully accepted and supported instead of being outlawed. Let’s have a look at how to find jobs abroad for Indians women without experience.
How Saudi Arabia Jobs Are Found
You must apply for an iqama, work visa or residency permit, in order to work in Saudi Arabia. Possessing a legitimate job offer from a Saudi employer is one of the requirements for getting a work permit inside the nation. Due to the fact that the application for the iqama will really be made on your behalf by your potential employer. This implies that you should start looking for a job in Saudi Arabia well before you ever visit the nation.
- It’s important to realize that while it’s against the law to hunt for a job while on a tourist visa, you are free to observe the way of life and even look into employment opportunities.
- The most apparent place to begin your job search is, of course, online. The most well-liked job search websites in the area are Bayt, Naukrigulf, Mihnati, GulfTalent, Laybord and others. These are a good place to start.
- International job portals such as Indeed, Glassdoor, MonsterGulf, and others are excellent places to start.
- Examining job advertisements on professional social networks such as LinkedIn or in expat groups and forums in the places you are interested in moving to is another method of finding a job.
How to Apply for Saudi Arabia Jobs
Because of the Saudization program, companies in Saudi Arabia tend to seek highly specialized talent when hiring international workers. Keep this in mind while applying for jobs in the country. Job offers will specify this; if the job posting reads “Saudi Arabia only” or “Saudi national,” you can presume that there is no chance of this.
Remember that several organizations will be hiring for multiple positions; although one of them might only be available to Saudi nationals, others might have a position that is comparable and open to foreign workers. Employers will typically have to defend their decision to hire a foreign candidate over a Saudi native. For this reason, it’s critical that your cover letter and resume emphasize the particular talents needed for the job you’re looking for.
Tips for Writing a Resume and Cover Letter for Job Applications in Saudi Arabia
It is customary to draft your resume in English while seeking a job as an expat. However, it is essential to also include copies of your resume and cover letter in Arabic if the position you are applying for demands a strong command of the Arabic language or if you are aware that your prospective employer does not speak English.
You can send out a standard Western-style resume in one of three formats: skills-based (where you center your resume around the experiences and skills you want to highlight), chronological (where you detail your employment history in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent role, no formal education is necessary) or hybrid (where you combine elements of both resume formats described above). It might be a good idea for you to investigate the best practices in the field for which you are applying.
Make sure your cover letter is as specifically customized to the job you’re looking for as you can. Because of the Saudization policy, as we have already mentioned, it is imperative that you highlight your experience and skills in relation to the job for which you are applying. This will be particularly significant to your employer because recruiting foreign nationals must be well-founded according to Saudi Arabian employment legislation.
Make sure you do your homework about the firm you are applying to work with before submitting your application. Examine the job posting and make an effort to apply in a similar manner, emphasizing your qualifications and abilities that are most pertinent to the position.
Applying for a Saudi Arabia Work Visa
To lawfully engage in employment in Saudi Arabia, one must apply for an Iqama, or resident permit. Your date of birth, legal name, nationality, unique identification number, religion, work title, and employer are all listed on your Iqama, which resembles an ID card.
Important:
You need to always have your Iqama card on you. You may be fined up to SR3,000 and maybe imprisoned for up to six months if you are stopped by the police in Saudi Arabia and you do not have your Iqama card with you.
Your Iqama card needs to be reported lost right away if it is stolen or lost. You could also be penalized up to SR3,000 if you neglect to report your card as lost in a timely manner. Deportation may occur if an expired Iqama is overstayed.
Your company in Saudi Arabia will oversee the Iqama application procedure, which entails a number of processes including requesting a permit to sponsor an outside worker, going through a medical assessment, receiving a visa approval number, and more.
Your employer will have ninety days from the date of your arrival to file for an Iqama visa. Once you receive it, you can apply for Iqama for your family members. The Iqama that your spouse and kids have been issued is linked to you rather than your employer.
Important:
Obtaining a work visa is the sole path to lawfully working in Saudi Arabia. Penalties can be harsh if you attempt to work illegally in Saudi Arabia and are discovered. Along with the possibility of an arrest and deportation, there could be a fine of up to SR10,000 that you have to pay.
Tax System in Saudi Arabia
Since January 2020, companies have been able to operate around the clock thanks to a government initiative aimed at modernizing and expanding Saudi Arabia’s economy. Despite this, there is still a widespread habit in both the public and commercial sectors to take five daily prayer breaks, which expatriates should respect.
In the Kingdom, Sunday through Thursday is the workday and school day. It’s a Friday and Saturday weekend. Muslims deliver longer sermons at Friday prayers, which are required of Muslim men. Because of this, the majority of private businesses, such as eateries and retail centers, are either closed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (the exact times depend on the sun’s trajectory in the sky) or open in the afternoon.
Saudi Arabia is an Islamic nation, therefore Gregorian holidays like Christmas, Easter, and New Year’s are not observed as paid days off. According to the Islamic calendar, official days off fall on National Day (September 23), Foundation Day (February 22), and two Eids. These are religious holidays that follow the holy month of Ramadan and are used for the Hajj trip.
