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Start a Company Free Zones Investment Guide Tax Guide Hiring Guide All Business topics →
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Riyadh Jeddah Dammam Abha AlUla NEOM All Cities →
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Trusted by thousands of expats, investors, and families relocating to Saudi Arabia

Your complete guide to
living, working, and thriving
in Saudi Arabia

By NewToSaudi Editorial Team

Clear, practical, and trustworthy information for expats, investors, entrepreneurs, and families relocating to the Kingdom — all in one place.

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First steps

Start here — four things every new arrival does first

Find your path

I'm relocating as  an Employee

Select your situation below and get a curated set of guides tailored exactly to your move.

01
Employee
Moving to Saudi Arabia for work. Covers everything from work visa and Iqama to finding housing, opening a bank account, and settling your family in.
Work Visa Iqama Housing Banking
Explore guide
02
Investor
Exploring Saudi Arabia's investment landscape. Vision 2030, MISA licensing, free zones, and how foreign investors set up and operate in the Kingdom.
Vision 2030 MISA Free Zones Ownership
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03
Entrepreneur
Building a business in Saudi Arabia. Company registration, CR licensing, sponsorship rules, and how to navigate the startup ecosystem and government support.
CR License Legal Setup Sponsorship Funding
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04
Family
Relocating with your family. International schools, healthcare, dependent visas, family-friendly compounds, and building a comfortable life for everyone.
Schools Healthcare Compounds Dependent Visa
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05
Student
Studying in Saudi Arabia. Saudi universities, King Abdullah Scholarship, student visa requirements, accommodation options, and student life in the Kingdom.
Student Visa Universities Scholarships Accommodation
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06
Visitor
Visiting Saudi Arabia for an extended stay. Tourist eVisa, travel tips, best areas to stay, getting around the cities, and understanding local customs.
eVisa Accommodation Transport Culture
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Essential reading

Most-read guides

In-depth, practical guides covering every step of relocating to Saudi Arabia — from first visa to first year.

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Iqama residency permit
⭐ Most popular
Work & Visa ~15 min read

The Complete Iqama Guide 2026

Everything about Saudi residency permits — application timeline, current fees, renewal process, employer transfer, family Iqama, and the most common mistakes that lead to fines. Your single most important document in KSA.

Read the full guide
Arriving in Saudi Arabia
Start here
Relocate ~10 min read

Your First 30 Days in Saudi Arabia

The day-by-day action plan: SIM card, Absher, medical check, bank account, and getting settled — in the right order so nothing falls through the cracks.

Read the guide
Banking in Saudi Arabia
Finance
Life in KSA ~12 min read

Banking in Saudi Arabia

Open an account fast — SNB, Al Rajhi, stc Bank. Islamic banking explained, international transfers, and which digital banks accept new arrivals without waiting months.

Read the guide
Start a company in Saudi Arabia
Business
Business ~18 min read

Start a Company in Saudi Arabia

LLC vs. branch vs. joint venture — MISA registration, CR licensing, required capital, 20% corporate tax explained, and realistic timeline from first inquiry to first invoice.

Read the guide
Family relocation to Saudi Arabia
Families
Families ~14 min read

Family Relocation to Saudi Arabia

Dependent Iqama, international schools by city, family-friendly compounds, healthcare for children, and how to make the move feel like an adventure rather than a stress.

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Healthcare in Saudi Arabia
Health & Insurance
Life in KSA ~11 min read

Healthcare & Health Insurance in KSA

Every employer must provide CCHI-regulated health insurance. This guide covers what your policy must include, the best hospitals in each city, how to use Sehhaty for appointments, and what to do in an emergency.

Read the full guide

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Everything you need,
in one place

From your first visa to buying a car — every topic organised, with direct links to the guides that matter most.

Explore Saudi cities

City guides

From the neon towers of Riyadh to the ancient deserts of AlUla and the future city of NEOM — six complete city guides.

All cities
Riyadh
Capital City

Riyadh

8M+ population · Business & government hub · Fastest-growing city

Explore Riyadh
Jeddah
Gateway City

Jeddah

Red Sea coast · Cultural capital · Gateway to Makkah

Explore Jeddah
Dammam
Eastern Province

Dammam & Khobar

Oil industry hub · Coastal living · Close to Bahrain

Explore the East
Abha
Asir Region

Abha

2,200m altitude · Cool climate · Mountain scenery · Growing expat community

Explore Abha
AlUla
UNESCO Heritage Site

AlUla

Ancient Hegra ruins · Desert canyons · World's largest open-air museum

Explore AlUla
NEOM
Vision 2030 Giga-Project

NEOM & The Line

$500B megacity · Tabuk Province · The future of urban living

Explore NEOM

Fresh from the team

Latest updates

What changed recently — policy, prices, and guides you need to know about.

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Why it matters

Why thousands trust NewToSaudi

Relocating is complicated enough without second-guessing your information. We hold ourselves to one standard — be the resource we wish we had when we moved.

Independent & Community-First

No sponsors. No paid placements. No agenda. Every guide is written by expats who personally lived the process — from Iqama renewals to school enrolments. We have nothing to sell, so we have no reason to mislead you.

Zero conflicts of interest
Always Current, Never Stale

Saudi Arabia moves fast. Visa categories change, Iqama rules update, banking requirements shift. Our editorial team reviews and updates every guide — so you're making decisions based on what's true today, not two years ago.

Updated weekly
Proven by Real Movers

From Fortune 500 employees accepting packages in Riyadh, to families enrolling children in international schools, to entrepreneurs filing their first CR — thousands of newcomers have used NewToSaudi to navigate their move without costly mistakes.

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Every category of professional you'll need — vetted, listed, ready. From PRO services on day one to a recruiter six months in.

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