My Life in Saudi

  Saudi Arabia’s labor market is undergoing significant transformation in 2025 as the Kingdom accelerates Saudization—a national policy aimed at increasing the participation of Saudi nationals in the private sector workforce. With new rules targeting multiple professions and a revamped classification system for expat workers, it’s essential for foreign employees and employers alike to stay informed and compliant. Whether you're working in Saudi Arabia or planning to, this comprehensive guide will help you understand how the new Saudization rules in 2025 may affect your job, visa, and career prospects. 🌍 Why Saudization Is Important – The Bigger Picture Launched under the Vision 2030 initiative, Saudization (also called Nitaqat ) is a government program that mandates companies to hire a certain percentage of Saudi nationals. The goal is to reduce unemployment among locals, develop national human capital, and lessen dependency on foreign labor. Initially rolled out in 2011, S...

 If you’re an expat living and working in Saudi Arabia, you've probably heard of GOSI — but what is it exactly, and how does it affect you? Whether you're new to the Kingdom or have been here for years, understanding GOSI (General Organization for Social Insurance) is essential. While it primarily benefits Saudi nationals, it also applies in part to expatriate workers, especially in the event of workplace accidents. This guide covers what GOSI is, why it matters, how it affects your employment, and how to check your registration and benefits online. 📌 What is GOSI? GOSI stands for the General Organization for Social Insurance . It’s a Saudi government agency that manages social insurance programs for both Saudis and non-Saudis working in the public and private sectors. GOSI was established to ensure that employees are financially protected in certain situations like: Old age (pensions) Work-related injuries or disabilities Death (for Saudi workers) Unemplo...

  If you're an expatriate living and working in Saudi Arabia, you may want to bring your family members for a visit—whether for a short stay or extended time. The Family Visit Visa makes this possible, and the good news is: the process has become more streamlined and digital over the years. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about applying for a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia in 2025 , including requirements, costs, step-by-step procedures, tips, and common mistakes to avoid. 🟢 What Is a Family Visit Visa in Saudi Arabia? A Family Visit Visa is a legal document issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) allowing foreign residents (expats) to bring their immediate family members —like spouse, children, parents, or parents-in-law—to the Kingdom for a temporary stay. There are two types of Family Visit Visas: Single Entry Visa : Valid for 30 to 90 days; renewable up to 180 days. Multiple Entry Visa : Valid for...

  Saudi Arabia is rapidly evolving into a digital-first nation, and one of the essential foundations of this transformation is the Saudi National Address system . Whether you're a citizen or an expat, this digital address system is mandatory —and for good reason. In this blog, we'll explore everything you need to know about the Saudi National Address : what it is, why it’s required, how to register or update it, and how it benefits you in daily life—from government services to home delivery. 📍 What is the Saudi National Address? The Saudi National Address is a standardized geographic address system developed by Saudi Post (SPL) and enforced by the Saudi government . It was launched in 2013 and made mandatory for all residents —including expatriates. Your National Address includes: Building Number Street Name District (Neighborhood) City Postal Code Additional Number Unit Number This address uniquely identifies your residence and is used across a ...

As an expat in Saudi Arabia, your Iqama status is the key to understanding your employment eligibility and the legal standing of your sponsoring company . One important indicator is your “Red Green status” in the Ministry of Labor (MOL) system, also known as Nitaqat status . In this post, we'll break down what the Red-Green Iqama status means, how to check it, and what to do if your status isn't favorable. 📌 What is Iqama Red Green Status? The Red-Green status system is part of Saudi Arabia’s Nitaqat Program , launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) to encourage the hiring of Saudi nationals. It categorizes companies based on their Saudization (Nitaqat) levels into: 🟢 Green (Low to Platinum) – Compliant and eligible to hire expats 🔴 Red – Non-compliant, restricted from new visas and transfers Your personal Iqama status reflects the category of your employer. 🧾 Color Categories in Detail: Color Category...

If you're an expatriate working in Saudi Arabia, it's important to know the details of your employment contract. The Qiwa platform now allows employees to view, verify, and download their job contracts online — making the process transparent and simple. 📌 What is Qiwa? Qiwa is a digital platform launched by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) to unify employee and employer services, including employment contracts, job offers, and labor transfers. ✅ Why Should You Check Your Qiwa Contract? To ensure your job title, salary, and terms match what you were promised. To make sure the contract is uploaded and approved by the employer. To have legal documentation in case of disputes. 🔍 How to Check Your Contract in Qiwa Visit the official Qiwa site: qiwa.sa Log in using your Absher credentials (national/Iqama ID + password + OTP). Once logged in, go to “Employee Services” . ...

In the past, foreign workers in Saudi Arabia were heavily dependent on their Kafeel (sponsor) to switch jobs. However, thanks to the Ministry of Human Resources' reforms, expats can now transfer jobs without the need for their sponsor’s approval — under specific conditions. 🔄 What Is Job Transfer Without Kafeel? This new policy is part of the Labor Reform Initiative (LRI) , which enhances worker mobility and provides greater flexibility in the Saudi job market. It applies to private-sector expatriates under the labor law. ✅ Conditions to Change Job Without Kafeel's Approval You can switch employers without your current sponsor’s consent if the following conditions are met: Completion of the current employment contract. Working with the current employer for at least one year (if the contract is not fixed-term). Having a valid Iqama (residency permit). No active violations or complaints pending in the Qiwa platform . ...

For every expatriate living in Saudi Arabia, the Iqama is your most important legal document. It serves as your residency permit , and staying updated on its issuance date and expiration is crucial to avoid fines, penalties, or legal trouble. In this post, we’ll walk you through the easiest and fastest ways to check your Iqama issuance and expiry dates online — even if you don't have an Absher account. 📌 Why It’s Important to Check Your Iqama Validity ✅ Avoid overstay fines or legal issues ✅ Know when to renew in advance ✅ Confirm that your employer has renewed it on time ✅ Ensure your Iqama number is active in government systems 🔍 How to Check Iqama Issuance & Expiry Without Absher 🧾 Method 1: MOL Portal (Using Iqama Number) Go to the Ministry of Labor website: mol.gov.sa Choose “English” at the top if needed Enter your: Iqama Number Date of Birth Captcha Code Click on "Submit" 📢 Resu...