Saudi Arabia
Living, work, immigration, education & business — official links and practical guides
Key Facts
Basics
Currency
SAR
Region
Middle East
Local time
UTC+3
Asia/Riyadh
Economy
Population
35.30M
GDP (current US$)
$1.24T
GDP per capita
$35,122
Source: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0) · 2024 · Last checked: 2026-07-06
Tax snapshot
Corporate tax, foreign-owned entities
20%
VAT
15%
Top individual income tax
0%
Capital-gains tax
No general CGT
- The 20% reaches only the share held by non-Saudi, non-GCC owners; the Saudi and GCC share pays 2.5% zakat on the zakat base (net worth) instead. No general capital-gains tax on individuals; gains realised by companies and some non-resident disposals may be taxed at 20%.
- Raised from 5% to 15% on 2020-07.
Source: National tax authority · Cross-check: OECD · PwC · KPMG · Last checked: 2026-07-16
Headline statutory rates. The income-tax figure includes national surtaxes; any regional or municipal layer is shown beside it. Social contributions and reliefs are excluded. Verify the current rate with the authority before relying on it.
At a glance
The Gulf's largest economy, hiring hard against a national transformation programme, with tax-free personal income and a premium residency that removes the need for an employer sponsor.
Best for
Salaried professionals recruited from abroad, companies establishing a regional headquarters, and investors who qualify for premium residency.
Who this may not suit
People who need secular social norms or family-status flexibility — residence is normally employer-linked and daily life follows local law and custom closely.
Main routes in
Employer sponsorship → iqama The standard route: the employer obtains the block visa, then your residence permit. Premium Residency A paid residency that lets you live and work without an employer sponsor. Investor / regional-headquarters route Company licensing through the investment ministry supports residence for founders and staff.
Key trade-offs
- Most residence is tied to the employer, so changing jobs is a formal transfer rather than a simple resignation.
- Personal income is untaxed, but your home country may still tax you — check the treaty position before assuming a net gain.
- Documents almost always require attestation and certified Arabic translation, which adds weeks.
First steps
- 1 Have degree certificates and police clearance attested before you sign anything — this is the usual delay.
- 2 Confirm in writing who pays for the visa, flights, housing and dependants' residence.
- 3 Complete the medical examination at an approved centre before travel.
- 4 Register on the government services app after arrival — most later formalities run through it.
What changes often
- · Premium Residency tiers and their conditions
- · Saudisation quotas by sector and company size
- · Regional-HQ and foreign-investment licensing rules
Premium-residency tiers, sponsorship-transfer rules and attestation requirements change with the reform programme — confirm with the Ministry of Human Resources and the Premium Residency Center. Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) ↗
Major cities
All cities (5) →Living
Housing
Renting and buying property in Saudi Arabia — typical rents, deposits, contracts, and official tenancy rules.
Healthcare
How the Saudi Arabia healthcare system works — public vs private care, eligibility, and costs for residents and visitors.
Insurance
Insurance in Saudi Arabia — health, travel, and digital-nomad cover, what is mandatory, and how to choose a plan.
Work
Jobs
Where to find jobs in Saudi Arabia — major job boards, in-demand sectors, and how to apply.
Employers
Major employers hiring in Saudi Arabia, with links to their official careers pages.
Government Jobs
Public-sector and civil-service hiring in Saudi Arabia — the official government job portal.
Salaries
Typical salaries by role in Saudi Arabia — pay ranges, taxes, and cost-of-living context.
Immigration & Mobility
Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Startup Visa
Entrepreneur and startup visa programs, investment thresholds, and application criteria.
Student Visa
Student visa categories, eligibility, required documents, work rights, and application steps.
Tourist Visa
Tourist and visitor visa requirements, visa-free entry, duration, and application steps.
Permanent Residency
Permanent-residence routes: eligibility, required years of residence, and the official application steps — including any investment routes where a country offers them.
Citizenship
Naturalization rules: required residence years, language and civics requirements, and each country's dual-citizenship policy.
Employment & Labor
Hiring rules, employment contracts, payroll, social insurance, and EOR options.
Digital Nomad Visa
Remote-work visa programs, income requirements, duration, taxes, and application steps.
Education
Universities
Top universities in Saudi Arabia, admissions, tuition, and international-student support.
Online Courses
Online learning relevant to Saudi Arabia — accredited platforms, local MOOCs, and language courses.
Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in Saudi Arabia — government, university, and international programs.
Study Abroad
How to study in Saudi Arabia as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Business
Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Business Banking
Opening business and personal bank accounts, remote options, required documents, and fees.
Investment
Foreign investment rules, incentives, investment promotion agencies, and restricted sectors.
Tax System
Corporate tax, VAT/GST, personal income tax, capital gains, and filing obligations.
Import & Export
Customs procedures, duties, de minimis thresholds, EORI/registration, and restricted goods.
Trademark & IP
Trademark registration, patents, copyright, official IP offices, and filing costs.
Compliance
Corporate, tax, employment, data-protection, AML/KYC, trade and AI compliance — official regulators and registries.
Corporate Compliance
Annual filings, registered-agent and beneficial-ownership obligations, and the official company registry.
Tax Compliance
Filing calendars, registration thresholds and the official tax authority.
Employment Compliance
Mandatory contracts, payroll and social-insurance registration, and the official labor authority.
Privacy & Data Protection
The country's own data-protection regime, registration duties, and its official supervisory authority.
AML & KYC
Anti-money-laundering and customer-due-diligence obligations, regulated activities, and the official financial regulator.
Import & Export Compliance
Customs registration, controlled/restricted goods, sanctions screening, and the official customs authority.
AI Regulations
The country's own AI governance approach, risk tiers, transparency duties, and its official authority.