Tips, how-tos and explainers on Iqama, visas, jobs, banking, driving and everyday life in the Kingdom.
If you've been doing freelance or side work informally, Saudi Arabia's freelance license (Freelancer Certificate) program offers a genuine, legal pathway to formalize it — worth understanding clearly if you're an expat considering freelance work alongside or instead of traditional employment.
02 Aug 2026If you've been keeping half an eye on Saudi labor news lately, you've probably noticed the Qiwa platform getting a lot busier. As of 30 June 2026, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) put teeth into a rule that had been quietly building for months: any non-Saudi worker whose work permit has expired, or who has been absent from their job for more than three…
23 Jul 2026Most expats know their Iqama by its expiry date, their photo, and maybe their Iqama number. Far fewer pay close attention to a small line on the card and inside their Absher and Qiwa dashboards labeled "Mehna" — Arabic for profession. In 2026, that field has quietly become one of the most consequential pieces of information tied to your residency status.
23 Jul 2026In a major relief for businesses and foreign workers, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has officially extended the grace period to regularize expired or missing work permits until December 31, 2026 .
14 Jul 2026The old method of dividing expat professions into simple "professional" and "non-professional" categories is gone. In 2026, Saudi Arabia is fully enforcing the Skill-Based Classification System , aligned with the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations (SSCO) .
14 Jul 2026Saudi Arabia’s transition into a paperless digital government is fully complete in 2026. For expatriates, two portals control almost every aspect of professional and personal life: Absher and Qiwa .
14 Jul 2026