3 Basic links that you must visit before working or living in Saudi Arabia
The Wikipedia about Saudi Arabia, which details information about The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or KSA as the largest country of the Arabian Peninsula, the CIA Factbook Saudi Arabia, that features map and brief descriptions of the geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues and the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia which all details current information including news, press releases, government, culture and arts, economy and industry. Now if you're an LDS or a Filipino or Pinoy LDS and contemplating of working or get a basic view of how is LDS's life in Saudi Arabia, you should come to our site
Googling LDS or Mormons in Saudi Arabia will give you THOUGHTSKOTO, our blogsite and links around the blogosphere as the No. 1 resource in the web. If you are a Filipino or Pinoy LDS and are preparing to embark in your journey to the land of the sand and oil and golds, and making ready to feel the hottest temperature that go up as much as 51 degrees Celcius or the coldest one in the Middle East at 1 Degrees C our site will be available just a click away to support you or help you the day you landed in Saudia. Email us.
There are many myths about what it’s like to live and work in Saudi Arabia. While it’s true that the culture in the Kingdom is very different to that which particularly Western workers are used, and that there are very strict rules and laws governing behavior for example, it is not true that if you go to work in Saudi Arabia you will be unwelcome or unsafe.
Saudi Arabia is governed through the principles of Shari’ah which are set out in the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam. Anyone interested in taking employment in the Kingdom should take time to understand the basic principles of Islamic law and in particular how Western and foreign workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are expected to behave.
By taking the time necessary to arm yourself with the facts about the people, religion, culture and society in Saudi Arabia, you will be better prepared for your new life in the Kingdom and you will get far more out of your stay, and whether you find work yourself in Saudi or are sponsored by your employer to relocate to the Kingdom, you can expect an adventure, a challenge and a completely new way of life during your time in the country.
For a foreigner to enter the Kingdom they have to be sponsored by an employer. Typically Western workers come to work in the oil, teaching or medical industries and are very well rewarded, financially speaking, for their work.
The low cost of living, the fact that accommodation and meals etc., are often all paid for by an employer and that taxation is not deducted from a pay check lead many Western workers to take on at least a short term contract in Saudi Arabia. The financial incentives are obvious and high!
There are between five and six million foreign residents living and working in Saudi and many Westerners live on compounds and often enjoy a frenetic social life! The compounds are often lavish affairs provided by employers; they usually have excellent facilities included for the direct benefit of resident foreign workers and their families.
Because there is little for workers to spend their money on there is an awful lot of disposable income to go round for spending on social events, shopping, diving trips, tennis lessons etc. And most of those who go to work in Saudi Arabia find that they enjoy an excellent overall quality of life.
It’s worth noting that many businesses in the Kingdom close during the five official prayer times daily...sometimes Westerners get caught out by this and they soon get into the habit of checking the daily papers for details of the prayer times!
If you have secured employment in Saudi and have your sponsorship in place, you will be required to present your passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months, your employment visa and also a health certificate on arrival. Your visa will have a period of validity and you must enter the country within that period.
Further documentation required to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for work include the following, the list is not necessarily exhaustive and is subject to change. Your employer or employment agency will be well used to assisting foreigners coming to work in Saudi and will supply you with the most up to date requirement list: -
Authorisation to enter the country from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A medical certificate from a recognised medical authority
Your letter of sponsorship from your company which should be dated and have your visa number on it
Your employment contract from the Saudi Arabian company for whom you will work
A police clearance certificate
Copies of all of you relevant academic qualifications and any relevant work experience for the job you’re about to take - this is especially relevant for anyone embarking on teaching or medical work
And if you’ve been working previously in Saudi you have to have ‘a letter of no objection’ from your previous employer which basically proves you’ve been released amicably from your last contract.
With all these things in place the bureaucratic process is fairly straightforward if a little intense, and shortly after entering the country and taking up your assignment you will settle into your new life in Saudi.
Go with the right attitude, accept and embrace the cultures of the country, respect the laws and religion in Saudi Arabia and be prepared to have the time of your life for the duration of your contract. Working in Saudi is a slightly surreal experience for many as the way of life on a compound and out on the Saudi streets is very, very different to what most people have been used. If you go with a completely open mind and a strong resolve, you will get all you can from the experience.
Please note that practicing a religion other than Islam publicly in Saudi is prohibited and that women should wear their abaya when going outside their compound. Also worth noting is the fact that the sale or consumption of alcohol in Saudi is prohibited as is gambling.
Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.
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