Expat jobs, chosen by hand. Every Monday.
Every Monday, a handful of expat jobs an editor thinks are worth applying to.
What we're doing here.
Most job boards work for the recruiter, not the applicant. For someone moving from Manchester to Riyadh, that means thousands of listings — most closed to expats, most written for people already in the country.
We work the other way. Every Monday, an editor publishes the roles worth your time — company vetted, visa checked, description rewritten if the original didn't cut it. If we wouldn't recommend it to a friend, it isn't in the issue.
About expat jobs in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has become one of the most active markets globally for senior professional hires, driven by Vision 2030 and the giga-projects: NEOM, The Line, Diriyah, Qiddiya and the Red Sea development. Riyadh concentrates the bulk of corporate hiring; construction and engineering roles distribute across the country's project sites.
№ 01Sectors hiring UK expats in Saudi Arabia
- Giga-project delivery — NEOM, The Line, Diriyah, Red Sea Global, Qiddiya each hire at scale internationally
- Finance — PIF, SNB, SABB and international banks expanding their Riyadh operations
- Technology and digital transformation — a national priority under Vision 2030
- Healthcare — Cleveland Clinic, JHAH and the national hospital system
- Consulting — the Big Four and MBB have their largest Middle East offices in Riyadh
№ 02Visa routes for UK professionals
- Standard Iqama (residency + work permit) — employer-sponsored, renewable annually
- Premium Residency — Saudi Arabia's Golden-Visa equivalent, for high-net-worth or specialist candidates
- Business Visit Visa — for consulting engagements shorter than 90 days
№ 03Salary and compensation
Tax-free income, similar to the UAE. Senior roles at giga-projects and multinationals typically pay SAR 45,000–SAR 120,000 per month (approximately £9,500–£25,000 GBP equivalent, tax-free), plus housing allowance, education support and end-of-service benefits. Total compensation is often 30–60% higher net than equivalent UK roles.
№ 04Cost of living
Riyadh housing has tightened since 2023 — compound accommodation for families runs SAR 200,000–SAR 400,000 per year. International schools cost SAR 60,000–SAR 100,000 per child per year. Healthcare through employer insurance at private hospitals is world-class. Consumer goods and dining have become notably more expensive.
The weekly issue focuses on Saudi roles at employers with established international hiring processes and confirmed Iqama sponsorship pathways.