Moving to Saudi Arabia with your family
When settling abroad with your spouse and children, the expatriation process requires an extensive preparation.
What are the considerations to take into account when moving to Saudi Arabia with your family? What challenges have you faced? How did your children adapt to their new environment?
What is your recipe for a successful family expatriation in Saudi Arabia?
Thank you in advance for sharing your experience,
Bhavna
Kindly note that this thread has been edited to focus on family expatriation
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1) please make sure that Husband is provided with IQAMA
2) please make sure that Husband is provided with IQAMA with the right job position. Some job position does not allow Family status. Also please make sure that company provides yellow Letter to process Family visa.
If the above conditions are not being met better to come back to India and get a job elsewhere in the Middle East or America or europe
hehehe ...
Every country has its own traditions and rules and must be respected and KSA is the same for example woman are not allowed to drive, must wear black abaya when going outside....these are things you must know about KSA.
at the end KSA has its own magic, once you got used to it you will love it and you will get used to the life style here.
Issues will vary depending on how big your family is, children's ages, and benefits you will have waiting for you.
Some of the things you must consider are:
1) You will need a driver or buy a car. If you decide the latter, beware that KSA kills more on the road than any other country.
2) Women shouldn't be by themselves. I've witnessed many times women walking by themselves and being harassed by passing drivers. Although nobody will dear touch a strange woman in public, it can be pretty upsetting for a newbie female westerner being harassed in a unfamiliar and quite strong sounding language such as Arabic!
3) If you have teens, given what we have available in the west for kids to do and entertain themselves, I would strongly advise you not to come! Your life dealing with an unhappy teen here will be magnified drastically! If your kids are little and preschool aged, no issues!
4) A happy wife always equates to a happier life! Make sure your wife establishes her women's circle as soon as possible, simply because they need it! If not... Welcome to hell!!
5) Even as a devout Muslim, you will soon discover that Muslims back home are likely to be better Muslims than Saudis. Of course this cannot be generalized, however as a convert myself, I used to be a better Muslim back home in Canada than here. I have pretty much given up on any religion as a whole and haven't been happier!
6) There are no cinemas, good parks, unrestricted outdoor activities, night clubs, nor bars. Only shopping, restaurants and coffee shops and Games' parlours to satisfy only and accessible to males. And wherever there are beaches, women cannot wear the typical bathing swimming attires we have in the west. This will surely bring about some interesting conversations (or gripping) on your wife's part. And understandably so!
Other than what I mentioned above, everything is ok!That's why this is my last year here (5th). Good luck to all who are considering this.
ginoexpatksa wrote:5) Even as a devout Muslim, you will soon discover that Muslims back home are likely to be better Muslims than Saudis. Of course this cannot be generalized, however as a convert myself, I used to be a better Muslim back home in Canada than here. I have pretty much given up on any religion as a whole and haven't been happier!
Great viewpoint, so what made you become "one of them" that you have given up ?
Best thing to do is to expand your acquaintances. That way, you won't feel bored or homesick.
Good thing here is you have all your time with your family. You can discover a lot of things with your son/daughter or spouse because most of your time will be spent with them.

One thing every body should understand do not compare peaches with oranges.
KSA has its own tradition and culture which we all should know before coming here.Believe me they are moderinizing at much quicker pace though.
All of us know staying here makes our purse heavier and at much greater pace than anywhere else do why worry.
Best advise for moving contact your friend ,family acquintance colleague any one ready to help before coming ,during stay and settling period.
Be patient that you are not thought living till your iqama is ready.Also outing here is only shopping ,shopping and more shopping.This may keep ur wife happy but not your purse.Try use weekends boring long oned by meeting people.
I had problem for my kids schooling so plan move gor children at time of school admission.Be ready for high fees for international schools.
ginoexpatksa wrote:Honestly! Islam as a religion is deeply moving and beautiful, and one that I have found most peace and sense of truthfulness! Without getting in any deeper discussion on this, I believe the human factor spoils any religion. It is my personal view as well that Saudis despite having Medina and Kabba right here, fall far short of their beautiful professed faith... But to tell the truth, I've experienced the same parallels amongst all the different branches of Christianity I've been part of in my life.
Amen!
For a wife, it would be a lot of sacrifices because if you're not working and just a plain housewife, you will stay everyday at home. Your husband and children will see you only after office and school hours.聽 You can always apply for a work as teacher, medical secretary or at call centres.聽 Many banks and other establishments employ women and thereby adjusting your stay in Saudi Arabia will be enjoyable.
It's really nice nice to hear it has worked out for you! The Pakistanis I know, who by the way have built this country, and continue to do so here for very cheap would disagree with you!
All the best!
waelinaim wrote:I suggest to choose another country to work at. life here is very complicated. I lost my health and my total life since i was born in saudi arabia. I was hit by a car while i was in the pavement and i have traumatic brain injury and i take 40 tablets aday to be able to think.
you got 99 problems...
Enjoy your stay and you can do the best shopping you want.
waelinaim wrote:khobar and dammam are good cities, not the same as riyadh and jeddah where you meet a close minded people
Excusez Moi
Close minded ? Jeddah?聽
Joke of the day 
using Somalis and Ethiopians to judge a city is like saying South Region is bad because of all the Yemenis.
Stop discriminating, that's what Saudis do and not expats.
for eample....during one of my vacations to my home country....at airport immigration check i told a immigration officer that how much time it takes for an expat to pass through immigration and special counters for 'gcc' nationals聽 and single line for other expats...i questioned why you dont give us such treatment at home country.
he gave me this lesson :
he very politely said , they have such compulsions, we dont have such compulsions , so it is not allowed here , from here we make them feel they are safe and their rights are protected.
saudi arabia is rich but people still longway to go in social and psychological development ,government is good and smart and their policies are good , that is why though you are not a muslim, being a islamic state they gave you oppurtunity to work and make better money than at home ;
be a roman when you are in rome
learn to enjoy your stay;

So far so good.
This is the longest I have been away from my wife and kids. Our plan is for me to assess the liveability聽 of Jeddah outside a compound, and if acceptable, my wife and children move over towards the end of 2016. When we are all together again in Jeddah we would then move into a compound.
My employer will be supporting me through visa applications, accommodation and schooling. I am very greatful for this assistance.
The symantics of achieving the end goal could be frustrating, visa documentation etc. but something we are willing to work through to take advantage of this rare opportunity we have been given.
Any helpful information from this feed would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
living in a compound is much better for a family coz your family will feel more free and your kids can meet friends easier there.
good luck.
I do not think it is a good idea for relocating to Saudi Arabia because of the expenses that are going to be implemented for visa etc...
I have been here since 28 years and I like the culture and people of this country, but now that the new rules which will be implemented money wise will incur a big cost for your husband.
Regards
Brian
ask them to check on arrival immigration stamp and number are entered in the passports;sometimes they don't, you must have them for return;
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