If you want to immigrate to Saudi Arabia from the UK, you need to get acquainted with the legal requirements, first. Considering this is an Arab country, aspects like sponsorship and entry visa conditions are some of the important things to consider.
Below, our immigration lawyers in Saudi Arabia explain the main steps to complete if you plan to move to Saudi Arabia from the UK.
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Choosing an immigration pathway for Saudi Arabia
Deciding on the way to relocate to Saudi Arabia from the UK will definitely matter in the immigration process from several points of view. However, the advantage of moving to this country as a British citizen is that you can apply for an e-visa for short-term stays. The main condition is for your passport to have a minimum validity of 6 months after entering the KSA.
The process of immigration to Saudi Arabia requires the following:
- if you are interested in employment here, you must first secure a labor contract;
- if you need company formation solutions in Saudi Arabia, your options are regular incorporation and the investment visa;
- you can also join a family member who lives here, however, your relative must hold a Saudi Iqama (residence permit in Arabic).
The relocation procedure for each of these is quite straightforward, however, some steps in the application are different. This is where our lawyers can step in and provide valuable advice and support.
New work visa application conditions for British nationals
Employment is without a doubt one of the main ways to immigrate to Saudi Arabia from the UK thanks to various benefits you can obtain. However, starting in the summer of 2024, new application procedures have been set in place for British citizens.
The application for a work visa has a new step, namely for the employee to go in person to the Tasheer Saudi Visa Center in London and submit his or her biometric data. Please note that you must go to the Center after your Saudi employer obtains all approvals for you to go and work.
Since we mentioned sponsorship, if you want to move to Saudi Arabia from the UK as an employee, the company hiring you will act as a sponsor.
How to immigrate to Saudi Arabia from the UK as an entrepreneur
If you decide to relocate and open a company in Saudi Arabia, you can do that by starting the business incorporation procedure with the help of our agents. This way, the process can be completed remotely.
You also have the option of applying for an investor visa. Also known as the Premium Residency Program, it enables you to start your own business in the form of a startup. You can also be your own sponsor, based on the amount of money you will invest in it.
The main difference between setting up a company in Saudi Arabia the regular way and with the investor visa is that the latter requires you to inject a specific amount of money. However, the benefits are also quite important, namely:
- you can move with your close family under one application procedure;
- you can obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit based on the amount you want to invest, therefore, you have flexibility in choosing the investment option that suits you.
Speaking of residency, the usual route, the Iqama is issued after 5 years of living in Saudi Arabia.
No matter the way you decide to start your business venture after you relocate to Saudi Arabia from the UK, you can rely on our Saudi accountants for support in company taxation matters.
How many Brits live in Saudi Arabia?
According to the BBC news portal, the most recent statistics indicate that:
- 26,000 British citizens live in Saudi Arabia;
- out of these, most of them are temporary workers in the oil sector, while 142 have retired there;
- the largest number of British expats in the Middle East live in the UAE (55,000).
If you want to immigrate to Saudi Arabia from the UK, please contact us for assistance!