A Booming economy, tax-free income, and high demand for skilled workers are some of the factors that make Saudi Arabia a popular destination for employment.
Are you someone who is looking for a job in Saudi Arabia but doesn’t know where to start your journey? You have come to the right place.
Many Indians wish to secure employment in various sectors of Saudi Arabia. In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know from the popular Industries to document attestation and visa requirements.
How to get a job in Saudi Arabia is an important question that will surely be answered to fulfilment, read on!
Why do Indians work in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia offers many benefits to individuals who work in the kingdom. These benefits combined with a great quality of life and great pay make a compelling case for employment in Saudi Arabia. Here are a few more reasons explained in detail;
- Tax-Free Income – Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax. It is a substantial benefit that allows individuals to save money.
- Low Cost of Living – The cost of living in Saudi Arabia is considerably low as compared to other countries in the region.
- Attractive Salaries and Benefits – Employers within the Kingdom generally offer great pay, benefits and healthcare packages.
- Diverse Work Environment – Saudi Arabia boasts a great mixture of nationalities in their workforce making the work environment more accessible.
- Advantage for Indian Workers – The Kingdom has a large working population of Indians so shifting and adjusting becomes quite easy and hassle-free.
Industries with High Demand in Saudi Arabia
Many industries have gained traction and are offering great employment opportunities to job seekers in Saudi Arabia. Some of the top industries to work in are as follows;
- Oil and Gas – Saudi Arabia is one of the largest oil-producing nations globally so naturally there is always a high demand for employees in the oil and gas sector for exploration, refining and engineering.
- Information Technology – The Kingdom is diversifying its economy and technological growth is one of the focus areas. The requirements for IT professionals, software developers, and data analysts are at an all-time high.
- Construction and Infrastructure – The demand for engineers, architects, project managers and even lower-level employees is quite high in Saudi Arabia.
- Healthcare – Saudi Arabia is focused on improving the healthcare infrastructure of the kingdom which has led to a high demand for doctors, nurses, technicians, etc.
- Hospitality and Tourism – The growing tourism sector calls for professionals in hospitality management, event planning, and customer service.
How to Get a Job in Saudi Arabia from India
Securing a job in Saudi Arabia while living in India is a difficult process but the rise in information technology has made it possible to find good jobs in Saudi from India. You need to keep the following points in mind;
Research and Target Employers – Find companies operating in your field in Saudi Arabia. Once you have narrowed down your options, you can apply to the companies that are currently looking for skilled manpower.
Interact with Recruitment Agencies – Registered recruitment agencies in India work with Saudi employers to fill up vacancies. However, before approaching an agency, make sure it is registered with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Apply on Job Portals – Websites like Bayt, GulfTalent, and Naukrigulf are good sites to search for job openings in Saudi Arabia.
Attend Job Fairs and Events – Explore international job fairs or events in India that provide employment opportunities in the Middle East.
Networking – Tap into professional networking sites like LinkedIn to connect with recruiters as well as expatriates currently working in Saudi Arabia. Indians have a large working population in Saudi Arabia making networking and reference great options to secure a job.
Company Websites – Look at the careers sections of major companies operating in Saudi Arabia, including Aramco, SABIC, and Almarai. Job openings are almost always posted on official websites.
Social Media – Follow Saudi-based companies and recruitment agencies on social media such as LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.
Documents Required to Work in Saudi Arabia
Candidates need to submit a plethora of documents to the responsible authorities to secure employment in Saudi Arabia. The documents generally include educational certificates, professional accolades, etc.
To work in Saudi Arabia, you must prepare and authenticate the following documents:
- Educational certificates such as degree certificates, diplomas, and professional certificates. It is aimed to prove that you have the right education as per the job’s requirements.
- Professional Experience Letters – Saudi Arabian recruiters in some cases might demand experience certificates and other such experience-related documents.
- Passport – A passport with a minimum validity period of six months and at least two blank pages are required.
- Medical Reports – Health certificates showing you are free of any communicable diseases are an important requirement for job seekers.
- Employment Contract – For visa processing, a signed job agreement with the employer is a must.
- Visa – A valid Sauid work visa is needed to secure a job in the kingdom.
Note: Candidates may need to submit additional documents depending on the job and the employer’s requirements.
How to Apply for a Saudi Work Visa?
If you are planning to work in Saudi Arabia, you will need a work visa, which is a legal requirement to take up employment in the Kingdom. The process of visa application may seem complicated but here are easy steps you can follow to apply for a Saudi work visa;
- Secure a Job Offer – Get a job from a Saudi employer. Your employer will serve as your sponsor (also known as a kafeel).
- Employer’s Visa Application – Your employer will apply for your work visa through Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD).
- Obtain the Visa Authorisation Number – Once the employer starts the procedure, the Ministry then prepares an immigration file for all the employer’s expat employees. The employer will then apply for a work visa with the Labour Ministry. Upon approval, it will notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that in turn shall issue within two weeks a Visa Authorisation Number.
- Document Attestation – You must have your educational certificates, professional qualifications, and other relevant documents attested.
- Medical Examination – Saudi Arabia requires all work visa applicants to undergo a comprehensive medical examination at a Saudi Embassy-approved medical centre. Once you are declared fit, you will receive a medical fitness certificate. It is a mandatory requirement for your visa.
- Submitting the Visa Application – Candidates need to submit an employment visa application of their own to the relevant Saudi Arabian Embassy. All the aforementioned documents must also be attached to the application without fail.
- Visa Issuance – Wait for the ministry to authorise the Saudi work visa application. Once authenticated, the Embassy will issue a visa to the applicant within 1-3 weeks.
Note: Once you arrive in Saudi Arabia, your employer will assist you in obtaining an Iqama (residency permit). The Iqama is essential for your stay and allows you to open bank accounts, rent housing, and access other services in the Kingdom.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Moving to Saudi Arabia for employment can pose a lot of challenges. Overcoming these challenges is important if one wishes to secure a job within the kingdom. Here are certain common challenges and how to overcome them;
- Cultural Shock – Saudi has a deep Islamic heritage and religious life precedes everything including business operations. Learn about Saudi Arabia’s laws and culture to make it easy on yourself.
- Language – Try to learn simple Arabic. Although English is fairly common, learning the basics of the local language can help develop professional and
- Hot Climate – Acclimatise yourself so you can be better prepared to deal with the extreme hot weather persisting in Saudi Arabia.
- Document Attestation Delays – Initiate the attestation process early and work with reputable agencies to avoid any unforeseen delays.
- Dress Code – There are very clear instructions regarding dress code especially for women as one is required to wear modest clothing at all times.
Is Document Verification Needed for Work in Saudi Arabia?
Document verification by the concerned authorities in the form of apostille is absolutely necessary if a candidate is looking to secure employment in Saudi Arabia. Apostille is the process of document verification and legalisation making the said documents acceptable for official use in Saudi Arabia.
The kind of documents that may need to be verified depends on the reason for travelling to Saudi Arabia. In the case of employment, generally, educational and personal documents may need to be apostilled.
The process will include the following steps;
Step 1: State HRD attestation (Educational Documents) – The first step of educational document apostille involves getting authentication by the HRD of the state in which the document was issued.
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State Home Department (Personal Documents) – All personal documents are presented to the State Home Department for state-level verification.
Step 2: MEA Apostille – The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) then apostilles the documents based on the verification by the designated authorities of the State Government and affixes an Apostille Sticker on the reverse of the Original documents.
Candidates can obtain quick, easy and hassle-free Saudi Embassy Apostille for their documents with Superb Enterprises throughout India. We are an MEA-authorised agency with over a decade of experience in providing apostille and attestation services.
Conclusion
Securing a job in Saudi Arabia can be a rewarding journey with the right approach, thorough preparation, and awareness of the requirements. Right from identifying the in-demand industry to ensuring proper document attestation, every step is vital towards securing your career goals in the kingdom.
At Superb Enterprises, we are dedicated to simplifying the attestation and apostille process, so you may focus on building a good future in Saudi Arabia. Take the first step today! Your dream job awaits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the most in-demand industries in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has a diverse economy with many popular industries contributing to its growth. Some of the most in-demand industries are as follows;
- Oil and Gas
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Information Technology
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Can I get a job in Saudi Arabia without a degree?
Yes, you can secure employment in Saudi Arabia without a degree in sectors that place more importance on experience and practical skills.
- What documents are required to work in Saudi Arabia?
These are the documents needed for getting a job in Saudi Arabia;
- Attested educational and personal documents
- A valid passport
- Work Visa
- Residency Permit
- Medical Fitness Certificate
- Experience Letter (if applicable)
- Do I need to know Arabic to work in Saudi Arabia?
While knowing Arabic might not be an exclusive requirement to secure a job in Saudi Arabia as English is pretty commonly spoken across the kingdom, knowing some Arabic will surely prove useful.
- How long does it take to process a work visa for Saudi Arabia?
The processing time for a Saudi Work visa typically ranges between 1-3 weeks.
- What are the typical working hours in Saudi Arabia?
Employees in Saudi Arabia typically work for 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week. However, that changes in Ramadan for Muslim workers to 6 hours a day and 36 hours a week.
- Can family members join me in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, with appropriate visas, family members can easily join you in Saudi Arabia.