Many people want to work in Saudi Arabia. Some jobs need a degree, but many do not. This guide lists the main job types for foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, what they pay and how the process really works. It helps you choose the right path and stay away from fake offers.
The main jobs for foreign workers in Saudi Arabia
| Construction | Very large projects. Read the guide |
|---|---|
| Driver | Company drivers and house drivers. Read the guide |
| Hotel, kitchen, cleaning | Many new hotels. Read the guide |
| Factory and warehouse | Helper pay is low. Read the guide |
| Trades (electrician, plumber, welder) | Better pay. A skills test is needed |
| Home workers | Hired through the Musaned platform |
How much you can earn
Saudi Arabia has no minimum wage for foreign workers. Your pay is the amount written in your contract, and there is no income tax on your salary. Helpers and other low-skilled workers commonly earn about SAR 1,500 to 2,500 a month, usually with a shared room and transport. Trade workers and drivers earn more.
Because there is no tax on salary, what is written in your contract is what you receive. Ask what is included before you compare two offers.
If you have a trade
Electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, carpenters and cooks usually earn more than general workers, and employers look for them first. But a trade is only useful abroad if you can prove it:
- Bring your training certificate and letters from past employers, with dates and the work you did.
- Some trades, such as electrician and plumber, are regulated. You may need a local licence or an exam before you can work alone.
- Photos or a short video of your work can help in an interview.
Which job is right for you?
- If you are strong and like clear tasks, look at factory, warehouse and construction work.
- If you have a clean licence and driving experience, driver jobs often pay more.
- If you like working with people, look at hotel, kitchen and care work.
- If you have a trade, apply in your trade first. It is the fastest way to better pay.
What you need before you can work in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia the employer brings you in. You cannot get a work visa alone. The steps are:
- Job offer and contract. The company offers you a job. The contract is recorded on the government’s online platform for work, called Qiwa.
- Visa approval. The employer asks the Saudi authorities for a work visa for you.
- Checks in your country. You do a medical test at an approved clinic. For many trade jobs, such as electrician, plumber and welder, you must also pass a skills test before the visa is given.
- The visa. The visa is put in your passport through the Saudi embassy or its visa office.
- Residence permit. After you arrive, the employer gets your residence permit, called “iqama”. You need it for almost everything.
Since 2025, every work permit is placed in one of three levels: high-skilled, skilled or basic. Helper jobs are at the basic level, which is open to workers under 60. By law the employer pays the costs of the visa, the residence permit and the work permit. If someone asks you to pay for a Saudi work visa, it is a warning sign.
Costs to plan for
The most important question is what comes with the job. Many companies give helpers, labourers and cleaners a shared room and transport to work, and some give food or a food allowance. This is worth a lot, because pay for helper work is low. If you must pay for your own bed space, food and transport, a low salary is not enough to live and save. Ask who pays your ticket home at the end of the contract. As a guide, 1 US dollar is 3.75 Saudi riyals (SAR).
How to apply safely
- Apply to the company directly, or through an agency with a licence from your own government.
- Ask for the offer in writing, with the salary and what is included.
- Read and accept your contract on the Qiwa platform. Check that it matches the offer.
- Do the medical test, and the skills test if your job needs it, only at approved centres.
- Travel only with a work visa. Do not go on a visit visa because someone says the job is waiting.
These are guides, not live vacancies. We are not an employer.
Mistakes to avoid
- Applying for every job you see. Choose the two or three job types that fit your experience.
- Trusting adverts that promise “visa in 10 days” or “no interview”.
- Travelling on a visitor visa to “find work there”. In most countries you cannot work on a visitor visa.
- Paying anyone for a job offer.
Your rights as a worker in Saudi Arabia
- Your contract is recorded online, and your salary must be paid through the bank system that the government watches.
- Your employer is not allowed to keep your passport.
- Normal work is up to eight hours a day and 48 hours a week. Extra hours must be paid at a higher rate.
- In summer, outdoor work in the sun is banned in the middle of the day.
- You have at least 21 days of paid leave a year, and an end-of-service payment when you leave.
- After one year, you can move to another employer under conditions set by the labour ministry. If you are not paid, you can complain to the ministry for free.
Protect yourself from fake job offers
- Never pay for a work visa. In Saudi Arabia the employer must pay the visa and permit costs.
- Be careful with agents who sell a “free visa” and say you can find any job after you arrive. Working for someone who is not your sponsor can get you fined and sent home.
- Do not travel on a visit or pilgrimage visa to work. It is not allowed.
- Check that the job title and salary in your contract on Qiwa are the same as in your offer.
Questions people ask
Which job is easiest to get in Saudi Arabia without a degree?
Jobs with many open places and simple training: factory and warehouse work, cleaning, kitchen help and construction labour. Driver and trade jobs pay more but ask for a licence or proof of skill.
Is there an age limit?
You must be an adult. Employers decide who they hire. The visa rules are explained in this guide.
Can I go to Saudi Arabia on a visit visa and look for work?
No. You cannot work on a visit visa or a pilgrimage visa. The employer must get your work visa before you travel.
Do I pay tax on my salary in Saudi Arabia?
No. There is no income tax on salaries in Saudi Arabia.
More guides for Saudi Arabia
- Factory jobs in Saudi Arabia
- Driver jobs in Saudi Arabia
- Hotel and cleaning jobs in Saudi Arabia
- Construction jobs in Saudi Arabia
- How to apply for jobs in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia work visa guide
Last checked: November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and pay change, so always confirm on the official websites before you decide. We are not a recruiter and we never ask for money.
These are guides, not live vacancies. We are not an employer.