Tips, how-tos and explainers on Iqama, visas, jobs, banking, driving and everyday life in the Kingdom.
One detail of Saudi labor law that surprises a lot of expats — in a genuinely useful way — is that the notice period required to end an open-ended employment contract isn't symmetrical. If you're resigning, the standard requirement is different from what applies if your employer initiates the termination, and understanding this asymmetry matters whether you're the one giving notice or…
01 Aug 2026Whether you're negotiating a new job offer or just trying to understand whether your current schedule is normal, Saudi Arabia's labor law lays out clear rules on working hours, overtime, and rest periods — rules that are worth knowing precisely, since "that's just how it is here" isn't always an accurate reflection of what you're actually entitled to.
30 Jul 2026Understanding exactly what kind of contract you're on, and what rules govern ending it — whether you're the one resigning or your employer is initiating it — is one of those things that's much better to know calmly in advance than to figure out under pressure during an actual dispute.
30 Jul 2026End of service benefits — often called gratuity — are one of the more misunderstood parts of working in Saudi Arabia, largely because they only come up once, at the end of your employment, when there's a lot else going on: exit paperwork, final settlements, and often a looming departure date. Understanding how it's calculated well before that day arrives puts you in a much stronger…
23 Jul 2026Saudi Arabia's labor enforcement has moved from occasional spot-checks to something much closer to continuous digital monitoring over the past couple of years, and 2026 has brought a fresh round of updated penalties that both expats and employers genuinely need to understand. Ignorance of a specific fine amount has never been much of a defense, but with enforcement now largely…
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 2026