What is NEOM?
NEOM is a special economic zone and planned development on the northwestern tip of Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Province, bordering Jordan and the Red Sea. Announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017 as the centrepiece of Vision 2030, it encompasses multiple distinct sub-projects — The Line, TROJENA, SINDALAH, and OXAGON — each with its own workforce and construction status.
Reality Check: What Has Changed (2024–2026)
The Line was originally planned as a 170km linear city housing 9 million residents. That vision has been fundamentally rescoped. PIF's board approved budget cuts of up to 60% for NEOM projects in December 2024, and in September 2025, PIF formally suspended all construction on The Line pending a strategic review.
By early 2026, the revised target is approximately 2.4km of completed structure by 2030 — down from the original 16km Phase 1 and the subsequently revised 1.2km figure. Population targets for 2030 have been cut from 1.5 million to fewer than 300,000. PIF recorded an $8 billion write-down on NEOM in 2025. Estimated total cancellation costs to contractors exceed $16 billion.
What this means for expats: NEOM is not cancelled — it is restructured. OXAGON (industrial/green hydrogen) remains the most active sub-project. Hiring has slowed dramatically for The Line construction roles, but demand continues in energy, hospitality pre-opening, and corporate functions. The broader northwest region — AMAALA, Red Sea Project, AlUla — offers alternative employment in the same geography.
NEOM Sub-Projects — Current Status (2026)
Linear City
Construction Suspended
THE LINE
Originally a 170km, 9-million-resident linear city. PIF suspended construction in September 2025 following budget reviews. Revised Phase 1 target: approximately 2.4km completed by 2030, with a population target under 300,000. The project is restructured, not cancelled, but the original vision is shelved. The high-speed internal rail line was also cancelled with work 20% complete. Most Line construction contractor roles have been wound down.
Ski & Mountain Resort
Significantly Delayed
TROJENA
A year-round mountain resort in the Hisma mountains (1,500–2,600m elevation). The 2029 Asian Winter Games — originally awarded to TROJENA — were postponed indefinitely in January 2026 as the venue will not be ready in time. Three major Trojena contracts worth $6 billion were terminated in early 2025. Construction continues at a reduced pace. South Korea and China have been mentioned as alternative hosts for the 2029 games.
Luxury Island
Opening 2026
SINDALAH
NEOM's 840-hectare Red Sea luxury island destination is the first NEOM component expected to open to visitors, targeting a soft opening in late 2026. Operational management was transferred to Red Sea Global (RSG) in early 2025. Features include an 86-berth superyacht marina and hotels designed by Luca Dini. Total cost exceeds $4 billion (3x original budget). Hospitality pre-opening roles represent a genuine hiring opportunity here.
Industrial Port
Most Active
OXAGON
The most actively progressing NEOM sub-project. The NEOM Green Hydrogen Plant ($8.4bn investment, joint venture with ACWA Power & Air Products) is ~80% complete and targeting production by end-2026. $9.3 billion in construction contracts awarded here. DataVolt signed a $5bn deal for a 1.5GW net-zero AI data centre (Phase 1 from 2028). Oxagon's floating industrial city platform has been pushed to the early 2030s. OXAGON offers the strongest near-term job pipeline of all NEOM sub-projects.
Other Tabuk & Northwest Region Projects
The northwest Saudi region is home to several major development projects outside NEOM that are actively progressing and hiring expat professionals. These are important alternatives — and in some cases better prospects — for those targeting the region.
Luxury Tourism
Opening 2026
AMAALA
A 4,155 km² ultra-luxury wellness and tourism destination on Saudi Arabia's northwest Red Sea coast, developed by Red Sea Global (PIF). Triple Bay — the first phase — is completing construction with nine luxury resorts (1,267 combined rooms) targeting a Q3 2026 opening. Brands including Rosewood, Four Seasons, Nammos, and Clinique La Prairie are opening here. A yacht club, Corallium marine life institute, and Triple Bay Marina are part of Phase 1. This is a live hiring environment for hospitality, operations, and tourism roles.
Luxury Island Tourism
Operational & Expanding
RED SEA PROJECT (Shura Island)
Red Sea Global's flagship luxury eco-tourism destination on Shura Island. First hotels opened in 2023 and the destination is operational. Phase 2 construction continues across additional islands and inland sites, though PIF has put Phase 2 approvals on hold pending proof-of-concept review of Phase 1 performance. The project targets 50 hotels across 22 islands when complete. An existing employer of international hospitality, conservation, and tourism professionals in the region.
Heritage & Tourism
Active & Growing
AlUla (RCU)
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) oversees one of Saudi Arabia's most established and operational giga-projects — a world heritage tourism destination featuring Hegra (open to visitors since 2020), Dadan, and a growing calendar of international arts events. AlUla is a genuine destination today, not a construction promise. Multiple hotel brands and experience operators are actively recruiting. A strong option for expats in tourism, heritage, hospitality, events, and conservation.
Giga-Project · Riyadh
Active Construction
DIRIYAH & QIDDIYA
While not in the northwest region, Diriyah Gate (UNESCO heritage precinct, confirmed as PIF's 5th giga-project) and Qiddiya (360 km² entertainment city near Riyadh) are proceeding with active investment and hiring — offering alternatives to NEOM-region work for expat professionals in construction, design, entertainment, and hospitality. Diriyah awarded a $1.5bn Arena Block contract in 2025.
Working in NEOM as an Expat
NEOM employs expats through two main pathways: direct employment by NEOM Co. (the state-owned developer), or through international contractors and subcontractors working on site. As of 2026, active hiring areas include:
- Green Energy & Industrial (OXAGON) — hydrogen plant operations, clean manufacturing, engineering, project management
- Hospitality Pre-opening (SINDALAH) — hotel management, F&B, yacht marina operations, guest experience
- Technology & Digital — AI, smart city systems, data infrastructure (Oxagon data centre pipeline)
- Corporate Functions — HR, finance, legal, procurement (some roles now Riyadh-based)
- Architecture & Design — ongoing planning and design work for restructured projects
Note: Structural and civil engineering roles specifically tied to The Line construction have declined sharply since the 2025 suspension. Candidates targeting NEOM should focus applications on OXAGON industrial roles or the broader Red Sea tourism ecosystem (SINDALAH, AMAALA, Red Sea Project).
Where Do NEOM Expats Actually Live?
Most NEOM project workers live in purpose-built worker camps and staff villages on or near the site. Following the 2025 cost review, NEOM reversed its previous policy requiring all staff to be site-based — many corporate roles can now be based in Riyadh with periodic site visits. Senior staff may be based in:
- NEOM Bay / Sharma — the existing coastal area and temporary HQ hub
- Tabuk City — the nearest established city (~200km from the main construction zone)
- Riyadh or Jeddah — an increasing share of NEOM corporate functions operate from Riyadh
The NEOM reality for 2026
NEOM at peak (2022–2024) was the world's largest construction employer. That period has passed. The project has not been cancelled but has been fundamentally restructured. The honest picture: OXAGON and SINDALAH offer real near-term employment; The Line construction workforce is a fraction of its 2023 peak; TROJENA is paused. The broader northwest region — AMAALA, Red Sea Project, AlUla — is in many ways a better hunting ground for expat roles in 2026. Candidates who approach the region rather than a specific sub-project will find more options.
Packages & Compensation at NEOM
NEOM's compensation framework remains competitive where hiring is active, but the landscape has changed. Following the 2025 cost review, some benefits have been restructured — notably, the requirement that staff live on-site (and receive housing and meals as part of the package) was partially reversed, with some roles now being Riyadh-based with a net effect of reduced total package value. Typical elements for site-based roles still include:
- Tax-free salary (no income tax in Saudi Arabia)
- Accommodation provided in staff villages on or near site (for site-based roles)
- Return flights to home country (typically 1–2x per year)
- CCHI health insurance (mandatory; NEOM covers this)
- Generous annual leave allowances
- Relocation allowance
Salaries at NEOM are typically benchmarked 20–40% above equivalent roles in established Saudi cities, reflecting the remote location premium. Hiring pace has slowed considerably from the 2022–2024 peak — expect more competitive application processes and longer timelines to offer.
Practical Life at NEOM
- Internet: Starlink and fibre connectivity available at staff villages
- Food: Catered in camp facilities; NEOM has invested heavily in food quality
- Recreation: Gyms, pools, social areas in staff villages; Red Sea diving nearby
- Nearest airport: Sharma Airport (near NEOM Bay) or Tabuk Regional Airport
- Healthcare: On-site medical facilities; serious cases transferred to Tabuk or Riyadh
- Shopping: Limited local options — most expats rely on camp canteens and online ordering
Pros of NEOM / Northwest Region
- Competitive salaries with remote location premium
- No income tax on earnings
- OXAGON / green hydrogen: genuine growth sector
- SINDALAH & AMAALA: operational hospitality pipeline
- Diverse international team culture
- Accommodation, food, healthcare often included
- Red Sea diving and outdoor activities nearby
Cons & Risks
- Significant project rescoping creates long-term uncertainty
- Hiring pace for The Line has slowed sharply from 2023 peak
- Remote construction site conditions (for site-based roles)
- Not suitable for families (yet) — no established community
- Long distance from major cities
- Project timelines and scope subject to further change
- Limited outside social life at camp
- Potential for further contractor cancellations ($16bn exit bill in progress)
Related guides
Everything to prepare before heading to NEOM or the northwest region
