Riyadh Relocation: An Insider’s Guide

With the increased global demand and interest in Saudi Arabia, we were very excited to open our first KSA office in Riyadh earlier this year. Riyadh itself is an extremely diverse and vibrant city, that is becoming more and more appealing for international investors, companies and talented individuals. As we have seen such a rise in demand for Riyadh relocation services, we thought it would be a good opportunity to get some inside information from our expert on the ground, Gael Rowland. An experienced expatriate herself, Gael is extensively familiar with Saudi Arabia relocation and Riyadh in particular. She has already helped numerous clients and their families get settled since our launch and her expertise has proved invaluable. We asked her some of the key questions you might have about Riyadh relocation and what to expect.

Why do you think Riyadh is becoming more popular as a relocation destination? 

A huge aspect is the movement of companies and the easier routes to relocation. The relaxation of labour and visa laws and the introduction of a temporary work visa have made the process of moving to KSA much simpler. This is good news for lots of multinational companies who are moving their regional head offices to Riyadh in order to capitalise on this growing market and take on government projects.

How can EER assist me with relocating to Riyadh? 

EER has experienced consultants on the ground in Riyadh to answer all your immigration, housing and schooling questions.  We are always happy to go the extra mile for our assignees to make sure they can acclimatise smoothly.  We are on hand to assist with a range of situations including accompanied visits to the accommodation options and schools of your choice.

What is your process with assignees? 

Our first step is to meet with the assignee and understand all of their requirements, for them and their family.  We will then put together a suggested list of accommodation and schools.  When you arrive in Saudi Arabia, we will accompany you on visits to see the accommodation and schools.  Once you have chosen where you would like to live, we will assist with securing your housing and helping you settle in. We can also make recommendations on the best locations for housing and schools based on your work location.

What is daily life in Riyadh like? 

Riyadh is big city living and it’s a city that never sleeps.  There is a continual buzz in Riyadh with coffee shops, first class restaurants, malls and many sights to see including Diriyah which is on track to become the world’s largest cultural and heritage destination.

What are some of the best things about living in Riyadh? 

Now is the time to be in Riyadh, the city is growing and evolving at a great rate.  The energy in the city is infectious.  There are also astounding examples of cutting-edge technology in business and entertainment to take advantage of.

How long have you lived in Riyadh and what brought you there?

In total I have lived in Riyadh for almost eight years, my first time living here was from 2009 to 2016 and I have now been back in Riyadh for eight months.

How would you spend the day in Riyadh if you wanted to do all your favourite things? 

I would head out to the desert to have breakfast and do some dune sliding.  Maybe take in a movie or a Dreamscape VR experience.  On a quiet day it is also good to relax at the compound swimming pool.  Shopping in the world class malls is also a favourite of mine.

What is unique about Riyadh and KSA as a place and in terms of the relocation process?

In terms of relocation, a unique aspect is that most expat families in Saudi are found in compounds.  This is slowly changing with the addition of fully serviced apartment buildings but for families I would still recommend a compound based on the services. Typically, the assignee will also arrive first as their visa will need to be processed in order to sponsor their family. KSA itself is a very unique place and it is constantly evolving. The Saudi Vision 2030 is all about promoting diversification and improving competitiveness as well as creating a vibrant society that offers culture, entertainment, heritage and more.

If you would like to find out more about our Riyadh relocation services or discuss an upcoming move with our expert team, please get in touch on +971 (0)4 421 1819 or info@eerme.com.