1. What is the financial benefit of working in the Middle East?
Some individuals compare their gross salary in the USA/Canada with the gross salary in the Middle East. They fail to consider that in the Middle East the income is tax-free, and housing and healthcare are provided. Here (in the US/Canada), they pay income taxes, housing, car insurance and gas, and utilities. And this is not to mention the availability and high cost of entertainment in North America.
You are from the US/Canada, are single, have no children, and are interested in saving money. And, let’s say you earn $40,000US, $60,000US, or $80,000US per year.
A) In the USA/Canada your yearly budget would look like this:
Base Salary $40,000US $60,000US $80,000US
Approximate income tax rate is 25% -$10,000 -$15,000 -$24,000 (at 30%)
Rent / Mortgage @ $800/ month -$9,600 -$9,600 -$9,600
Automobile Costs -$4,400 -$4,400 -$4,400
Utilities (telephone, cable, etc. ) -$2,400 -$2,400 -$2,400
Left over for food,
entertainment, clothes, etc. $13,600US $28,600US $39,600US
B) In Saudi Arabia your yearly budget would look like this:
Base Salary $40,000US $60,000US $80,000US
Income Tax rate $0 $0 $0
Rent / Mortgage $0 $0 $0
Transportation Costs -$1,200 -$1,200 -$1,200
Utilities (cable and internet) -$900 -$900 -$900
End of contract services award +$1,666 +$2,500 +$3,333
Cost of living adjustment +$4,000 +$6,000 +$8,000
Left over for food,
entertainment, clothes, etc. $43,566US $66,400US $89,233US
C) In Qatar and the United Arab Emirates your yearly budget would look like this:
Base Salary $40,000US $60,000US $80,000US
Income Tax rate $0 $0 $0
Rent / Mortgage $0 $0 $0
Transportation Costs -$1,200 -$1,200 -$1,200
Utilities (cable and internet) -$900 -$900 -$900
End of contract services award +$3,333 +$5,000 +$6,666
Left over for food,
entertainment, clothes, etc. $41,233US $62,900US $84,566US
Now, I am fully aware that some people spend everything they earn (no matter how much they earn) and in the Middle East, just as in North America, this is easy to do. You can buy wonderful gold jewelry and beautiful carpets at comparatively bargain prices, and you can travel to Dubai every weekend. But if you want to save money, Saudi Arabia is the place to do it. Moreover, you can do it and still play golf, go to a play, dive in the Red Sea, and mingle with people from throughout the world.
You want to save some money and also travel? Many people tell us that they save their regular salary, but work overtime to fund their trips to Thailand and their weekends in Dubai.
2. When will I get my first pay cheque?
In Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar you are paid once a month. UAE and Qatar use the Gregorian calendar (which we also use) for payday purposes and Saudi Arabia uses the Hejira calendar (which is a lunar calendar). In Saudi Arabia, different hospitals pay on different dates.
In all the countries you are paid in the local currency, which is:
- Saudi Riyals, which are pegged at an exchange rate of 3.75 to the US dollar
- Qatari Riyals, pegged at 3.64 to the US dollar
- Dirhams (in the UAE), pegged at 3.68 to the US dollar
If you arrive onsite shortly after payday you may have to wait up to 3 to 5 weeks before you get paid. Therefore you should bring approximately $500 (US) to pay for food and initial set-up costs (most people like to personalize their apartment) in your new home.
3. If I dont get along with my roommate, can I move?
Given that you will most likely be housed with a total stranger, it is surprising how many people become life-long friends with their roommate. But yes, you can request a change and usually it happens. I wouldn’t however ask for too many changes. It might appear that you, not your roommates, are the difficult one. We have heard some entertaining stories about roommates.
4. What is the housing like?
Housing provided, and depending on location, may be a townhouse, apartment, or villa. Housing units are always air conditioned. If we receive no feedback about the quality of accommodations from our recruits, we usually assume that it is OK, and tell applicants that we have had no complaints, that it is probably not as attractive as their current housing, and that people are very creative in finding local artifacts, prints, rugs, etc. to fix up their units to suit them. If we receive negative feedback from our recruits about a particular residence, we will tell you so.
5. Does the hospital keep my passport?
In Saudi Arabia, the hospital holds your passport during the time of your employment.
In order to leave and return to Saudi Arabia, you need an exit/reentry visa in your passport. There are two ways to obtain an exit/reentry visa:
1. The hospital will apply on your behalf to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a single exit/reentry visa. The cost is SR 200 (US $53).
2. You can purchase a multiple exit/reentry visa, which is good for multiple trips for a 6-month period. The cost is SR 500 ($133).
In both cases, the hospital will give you your passport for your trip, but upon your return to the country, you are required to return the passport to the hospital.
Note that you cannot take a trip outside of the county until after you have finished your three-month probationary period.
6. In Saudi Arabia, given the restrictions on single men and women socializing, how do you meet a man/woman?
The embassies have chaperoned concerts and other get-togethers. And on our homepage the column “What’s On – Riyadh”, broadcasts the many cultural, social events, and sports events in Riyadh.
