Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia provides free universal healthcare coverage through a national system, with services offered by various government agencies. The private sector also plays a growing role in healthcare provision.

While public healthcare is free, private health insurance is available for those seeking additional services.

Saudi Arabia's residency system is almost entirely tied to employment under the 'Kafala' (sponsorship) system, making it 'difficult' for anyone seeking to live there independently. The vast majority of expats hold an 'Iqama' (residence permit) that is sponsored and controlled by their employer. If the employment contract is terminated, the Iqama is cancelled, and the individual must leave the country. The process of obtaining the initial work visa and Iqama is managed by the employer and is typically a lengthy, bureaucratic process.

In a major shift, Saudi Arabia introduced the 'Premium Residency' program, often called the Saudi Green Card. This offers a path to residency without a sponsor but comes at a very high cost: a one-time fee of SAR 800,000 for permanent residency, or an annual fee of SAR 100,000 for a renewable one-year residency. This program is aimed at high-net-worth investors and executives and is not accessible to the average expat. There are no retirement, passive income, or digital nomad visas (URL: https://pr.gov.sa/).

The concept of permanent residency is effectively limited to the costly Premium Residency program, making it 'difficult' for others to achieve. The pathway to Saudi citizenship is also 'difficult' and exceptionally rare for foreigners. The law requires ten years of legal residence, fluency in Arabic, and a clean criminal record. However, even after meeting these criteria, the granting of citizenship is at the complete discretion of the government and is not a right.

Naturalization is almost never granted to non-Muslims. Furthermore, Saudi law strictly prohibits dual citizenship. A person who acquires Saudi citizenship must renounce all other nationalities. The combination of discretionary and rarely-granted approvals and the prohibition of dual citizenship makes naturalization a near impossibility for foreign residents (URL: https://www.moi.gov.sa/).

Crime Rate: Very Low. Strict laws ensure minimal crime, but petty theft may occur in markets.

Types of Crime: Shoplifting, traffic violations, and rare cyber fraud.

Kidnapping Risk: Extremely low; no recent reports of foreign nationals targeted.

No US-Saudi Arabia tax treaty. No personal income tax.

No taxes on foreign income. Residency requires investment or employment.

Moderate costs outside expat compounds. Healthcare is subsidized.

Saudi Arabia has a desert climate characterized by extremely hot summers and mild winters. Rainfall is minimal and occurs mainly between November and April.

Museums & Cultural Institutions

• Saudi Arabia is home to several museums, including the National Museum in Riyadh, showcasing the country's history and culture.

• The King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh offers exhibits on Saudi Arabia's heritage.

Performing Arts

• Saudi Arabia has recently opened up to public entertainment, with concerts, theater performances, and sporting events being held.

• The King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh hosts various cultural events and performances.

Cultural Festivals

• The Janadriyah Festival is an annual cultural heritage festival held in Riyadh, featuring traditional music, dance, and crafts.

• The Riyadh Season is a series of entertainment events, including concerts, theater, and sports.

Culinary Culture

• Saudi cuisine includes dishes like kabsa (spiced rice with meat), hummus, and falafel.

• The country's cuisine reflects its Bedouin heritage and regional influences.

Saudi Arabia offers excellent internet infrastructure with high speeds and good reliability as part of Vision 2030 digital transformation.

Speed & Quality: Fixed broadband averages 130-140 Mbps with widespread fiber coverage. STC, Mobily, and Zain provide competitive high-speed services.

Availability: Excellent coverage in cities and good in most populated areas across the kingdom.

Cost: Moderate pricing at SAR 150-300 monthly for high-speed connections, competitive for the regional market.

Reliability for Remote Work: Very reliable with good uptime and customer support. Strong mobile networks provide backup. Riyadh and Jeddah have developing coworking scenes as part of economic diversification efforts.

Saudi Arabia has modern transportation infrastructure with significant recent investments in connectivity.

Roads: Excellent highway system connecting all major cities with high-quality maintenance.

Rail: Haramain High Speed Railway connects major cities, with plans for expansion.

Domestic Travel: Extensive domestic flight network connecting all regions, with comprehensive bus services.