5 Common Mistakes Expats Make When Moving to Saudi Arabia

So, You’re Moving to Saudi? Here’s What I Wish I’d Known…

Moving to Saudi Arabia was my first big expat adventure. I’d lived abroad before, but this felt different – further, hotter, stricter. I arrived with a sense of excitement (and several very full suitcases), thinking I was ready for anything. But of course, no matter how much you plan, there are always a few surprises waiting on the other side of customs.

Here are the mistakes I made – or very nearly made – and the things I wish someone had sat me down and said over a coffee before I boarded the plane.

1. Underestimating Cultural Differences

Yes, you’ve probably read about the customs, the dress code, the prayer times. But nothing quite prepares you for what it feels like to live within it every day. The rhythm of life here is different – slower in some ways, more structured in others.

Things to get your head around:

• Modesty matters – Abayas aren’t mandatory, but many women wear them. Long, loose, and covered is still the norm.

• Gender rules still apply in many public spaces – it’s not about fear, it’s about respect.

• Religious life shapes the week – especially during Ramadan. No eating or drinking in public during daylight hours.

It can feel overwhelming at first, but trust me, you find your flow. Watch, learn, and ask questions – people are usually more than happy to explain.

2. Rushing Friendships

I was so keen to find my people that I latched on to the first friendly faces I met. And while some of them stuck, others didn’t – because, well, not everyone you meet at a compound BBQ is destined to be your new best friend.

Compounds can feel like tiny villages. Cosy, yes. But also… intense. Everyone knows everyone. And some expats have been here forever – they’ve done the settling-in phase a dozen times over.

What I learned:

• Be friendly, but don’t force fast friendships.

• Say yes to invites – but give yourself time to figure out who you click with.

• Your people are out there. They might just take a little while to find.

3. Thinking Remote Work Would Be Enough

When I first arrived, I was working remotely as a marketing director. I was busy – really busy. Between time zones, calls, and deadlines, I barely had time to notice how different everything felt.

But after about a year, I started to realise that working remotely from a compound wasn’t feeding me the way I thought it would. I missed the in-person energy, the ideas flying around a meeting room, even the office kitchen small talk. Eventually, I stepped away from the job – and it was the best decision I made.

Living abroad shifts your priorities. What worked back home might not fit your new reality.

So ask yourself:

• Will remote work still energise me here?

• Do I need more human connection in my day-to-day?

• If this job doesn’t fulfil me anymore, what could?

Whether it’s freelancing, volunteering, starting a side hustle, or just giving yourself time to explore – have a plan that puts you at the centre.

4. Skipping the Fine Print (and Navigating the Visa Maze)

Ah, paperwork. If there’s one thing Saudi isn’t short of, it’s forms, stamps, and waiting games. Especially in 2022, the whole visa and Iqama process feels a bit... murky.

Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:

• Work with a reputable agency. Really. This stuff is too complex to DIY.

• Be prepared for delays. There’s no magic timeline. Some things take weeks, others months. It’s frustrating, but you’ve got to ride the wave.

• Keep asking questions. No one will think you’re being difficult – just smart.

Yes, it’s all a bit inshallah – but eventually, everything does fall into place. Just breathe, keep your documents in a very organised folder, and trust the process.

5. Leaving Too Much Behind

I had this vision of starting fresh – new job, new home, new kitchen. So I left half of mine behind. “I’ll just buy everything again!” I said. What a sweet summer child I was.

Turns out, finding decent kitchen gear here isn’t as easy as I expected. And the prices? Oof. Two years in, I now know where to shop, which brands to trust, and what’s worth shipping.

If you love it, bring it. Especially your ride-or-die kitchen tools – whether it’s your fancy knives, your coffee grinder, or that toastie maker you’ve had since uni and still swear makes the best cheese melt on earth. That thing deserves a visa stamp.

6. Ditching Your Home Country SIM

Here’s one for the “no one tells you this” file: don’t cancel your old phone number.

I got a shiny new Saudi SIM and thought I was sorted – until I tried to log into my bank account back home. Everything needed two-step verification. And guess which number they were sending the codes to? Yep. My old one.

Top tip:

• Get a dual-SIM or eSIM phone so you can keep both numbers active.

• Keep your home SIM on a cheap plan – it’s worth it for all the admin alone.

• Don’t rely on WhatsApp alone – your original number is your digital ID in so many ways.

Final Thoughts: Be Patient, Be Curious, Bring the Toastie Maker

Moving to Saudi isn’t just a change of location – it’s a whole new operating system. You’ll feel lost, amazed, frustrated, and inspired – sometimes all before breakfast. But give it time. Your tribe is out there. Your rhythm will come.

And one day, you’ll be the one handing out advice at a compound coffee morning, saying things like, “Oh love, don’t buy your blender here. Ship it.”

Found this helpful? Stick around – there’s loads more on the blog about expat life, relocation tips, family travel and how not to lose your marbles in a compound. Sign up to the newsletter and you’ll get the next post straight to your inbox.