How to Make Friends as an Expat in Saudi Arabia: A Practical Guide

Moving to Saudi Arabia can be an exciting experience, but adjusting to a new social environment is often one of the biggest challenges expats face. Whether you're in Riyadh, Jeddah, or a smaller city, building meaningful connections is essential for your emotional well-being and overall experience abroad.

This guide explores how to make friends as an expat in Saudi Arabia, while respecting cultural norms and leveraging modern tools and expat communities.

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🤝 Understanding Saudi Social Culture

Saudi society places high value on hospitality, family, and faith. While locals may seem reserved at first, friendships are deep and loyal once formed. Gender roles, religious practices, and social etiquette shape interactions — so understanding the context can help avoid misunderstandings.

• Same-gender friendships: More common and socially comfortable in traditional settings
• Mixed-gender settings: Becoming more relaxed in public spaces, especially in cities
• Small talk: Often includes questions about your background, job, and family — this is considered polite

Read this post about navigating daily life in Saudi Arabia to better understand customs before diving into social situations.

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📱 Use Expat & Social Apps

One of the fastest ways to meet people is through apps that are popular in the expat community:

• Meetup: Events for hiking, tech talks, language exchange, and more
• Internations: A global expat network with local chapters and events
• Facebook Groups: Search for “Expats in Riyadh” or “Women in Jeddah”
• Nextdoor: Find people in your residential compound or nearby neighborhood

Tip: Join at least two groups and attend events consistently to start recognizing familiar faces.

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🏢 Build Friendships at Work

Workplaces are one of the best places to develop friendships in Saudi Arabia. Many companies are multicultural, with a mix of Saudis and foreign professionals.

• Attend coffee breaks and lunch outings
• Join internal committees or sports teams
• Respect cultural customs around prayer times and personal boundaries

If you're unsure what’s acceptable in your workplace, observe how others interact or ask a trusted colleague for guidance.

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☕ Visit Cafés and Social Spaces

The café culture in Saudi Arabia is booming, especially among young professionals and creatives. Coffee shops like Barn’s, Tim Hortons, and Starbucks are hubs for casual socializing.

• Start with family-friendly or co-working cafés
• Attend open mic nights or workshops when available
• Bring a book or laptop — many people work remotely from cafés and are open to chatting

In major cities, mixed-gender seating is now common in most cafés, making it easier to meet diverse people.

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🕌 Community Through Faith

For those who are religious, mosques and religious centers can offer a strong sense of community. Many mosques hold informal lessons or discussion groups after prayer.

If you're from a non-Muslim background, you may find community at embassy events or religious groups that meet privately — always make sure to respect local laws and customs.

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🏘️ Connect in Your Neighborhood or Compound

If you're living in an expat compound, you're in luck — these often function like small communities. There may be group activities like:

• Yoga or fitness classes
• Book clubs
• Kids’ playgroups or movie nights

Say hello to your neighbors, attend the next community event, or invite someone for coffee. You’ll be surprised how many others are also looking to connect.

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🎓 Take a Class or Learn a New Skill

Enrolling in a class can be both educational and social. Many cities offer short courses in art, Arabic language, photography, or even cooking. You get to meet locals and fellow expats with similar interests.

Look for institutions such as:

• King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra)
• Riyadh Language Exchange
• Online platforms with in-person meetups

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💬 Learn Basic Arabic Phrases

You don’t need to be fluent, but learning a few Arabic greetings shows respect and often sparks warm responses:

• Salam Alaikum: Peace be upon you (standard greeting)
• Shukran: Thank you
• Kaif halak/halik: How are you? (male/female)

Even just trying can lead to a friendly conversation and make you more approachable in daily interactions.

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📸 Share Your Experiences

Blogging, vlogging, or joining local creative projects can open up social doors. People may connect with you based on shared interests or even reach out to collaborate.

Check this post about real expat life in Saudi Arabia for deeper insight into how others navigate the transition.

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🎯 Final Tips for Success

• Be open, but also patient — friendships take time
• Respect personal space and gender boundaries
• Smile, greet people, and show genuine interest
• Don’t be afraid to follow up — invite people for coffee or dinner

Remember, many expats are in the same boat and eager to connect. With the right mindset and effort, you’ll build a strong social circle in no time.

Have tips of your own or want to share your story? Drop a comment or message me on the Contact Page. I'd love to hear from you.

— The Author, My Life in Saudi