Saudi Arabia — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
35,300,280 people · Capital: Riyadh · Western Asia
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Saudi Arabia is located in Western Asia, with a population of 35,300,280. Its currency is the Saudi riyal. Our database tracks 11 visa pathways for Saudi Arabia, each linked to a named source.
See also: Saudi Arabia country profile
Popular routes to Saudi Arabia: Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia (Work Visa) · Egypt to Saudi Arabia (Work Visa) · India to Saudi Arabia (Work Visa) · Indonesia to Saudi Arabia (Work Visa) · Nepal to Saudi Arabia (Work Visa) · Pakistan to Saudi Arabia (Work Visa)
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (11)
Sponsored Employment (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Work Visa | €1,162/mo | €465 | 12 mo | 28d |
| Temporary Work Visa | €697/mo | €116 | 12 mo | 28d |
| إقامة الكفاءة الاستثنائية | €3,237/mo | €157 | 60 mo | — |
Entrepreneur & Business (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneur Residency | €7,749/mo | €930 | 60 mo | — |
Investment / Golden Visa (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investor Residency | — | €930 | 24 mo | — |
| Real Estate Owner Residency | €930/mo | €918 | 60 mo | — |
Study (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Visa | — | — | — | 3d |
Seasonal Work (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal Work Visa | — | — | 3 mo | — |
General Residence (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Residency | — | — | — | — |
Extraordinary Talent (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gifted Residency | €930/mo | €918 | 60 mo | — |
Tourism & Short Stay (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Visa (e-Visa) | — | €925 | 3 mo | 3d |
Cost of Living
| Item | Saudi Arabia | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €850 | €1,200 | -29% |
| Rent (3BR) | €1,800 | €2,000 | -10% |
| Groceries | €250 | €350 | -29% |
| Transport | €60 | €80 | -25% |
| Utilities | €180 | €150 | +20% |
| Dining (meal) | €8 | €15 | -47% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €35,000 |
| Education | €38,000 |
| Engineering | €52,000 |
| Finance | €58,000 |
| Healthcare | €35,000 |
| Hospitality | €28,000 |
| IT | €42,000 |
| Retail | €22,000 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Engineer (IT)
- Petroleum Engineer (Energy)
- Healthcare Professional (Healthcare)
- Construction Manager (Construction)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Saud University | 290 | 42 | €2,500 |
| King Abdullah University of Science and Technology | 139 | 156 | €0 |
| King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals | 288 | 68 | €3,000 |
| Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University | 451 | 25 | €2,200 |
| Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University | — | 12 | €1,800 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 8 of the 8 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 6 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- ksavisa.sa · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-24
- pr.gov.sa · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- pr.gov.sa · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- ksavisa.sa · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-07
- ksavisa.sa · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- mofa.gov.sa · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- pr.gov.sa · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-21
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
إقامة الكفاءة الاستثنائية · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “5-yr Special Talent Residency; SAR 14k–80k/mo salary by track; $170 app fee” — pr.gov.sa
Minimum income: “the scientific and health professionals track... a minimum monthly salary of SR35,000, a bachelor's degree or higher, more than three years of relevant experience” — zawya.com, 2026-07-09
Education Visa · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Study visa request — Service Cost: Free” — mofa.gov.sa, 2026-07-07
Savings / proof of funds: “Proof of financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses or a financial guarantee.” — studyinsaudi.sa, 2026-07-07
Electronic Visa (e-Visa) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Auto-auditoria [corrigido 2026-06-16]: valor estava em SAR copiado como EUR; convertido via exchange_rates” — ksavisa.sa
Gifted Residency · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “SAR 4000 fee (~918 EUR), 5yr (+5yr renewal), Ministry of Culture/Sports endorsement — Fragomen 2024” — pr.gov.sa
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Saudi Arabia have?
Our database tracks 11 visa pathways for Saudi Arabia across 8 categories, the largest being Sponsored Employment, Investment / Golden Visa, Tourism & Short Stay. Each entry links to a named source — 64% direct to an official government portal, the rest to a named embassy or professional reference while we complete direct verification.
What is the minimum income for the Temporary Work Visa?
The Temporary Work Visa lists a minimum income of EUR 697 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-24).
What is the average salary in Saudi Arabia?
The average gross salary in Saudi Arabia is EUR 1,547 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 917 per month.
How much does rent cost in Saudi Arabia?
A one-bedroom apartment in Saudi Arabia averages EUR 850 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 1,800 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Saudi Arabia?
The top personal income tax rate in Saudi Arabia is 0%. The standard VAT rate is 15%.
Start Preparing for Saudi Arabia
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