KSA Expats Blog
Practical Saudi guides, news updates and explainers for expats living and working in the Kingdom.
Darb Alwatan Bus Schedule 2026: Routes & Timetable
If you’ve been living in Saudi Arabia for a while, you already know that getting around between cities can be a bit of a logistics puzzle — especially…
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How to Get a Driving License in Saudi Arabia (2026)
So you’ve arrived in the Kingdom. The sun is blazing, the highways are wide, and everyone around you seems to be driving with great confidence — and sometimes,…
Saudi Arabia to Start Issuing 1448 AH Umrah Visas From May 31
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the upcoming key dates for the 1448 AH Umrah season. According to the ministry’s 1448 AH Umrah calendar, the issuance…
Saudi Arabia Calls for Dhul Hijjah Crescent Moon Sighting on May 17
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims across the Kingdom to sight the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah on the evening of Sunday, May…
Expats in Saudi Arabia Could Lose Qiwa Registration Without Valid Work Permits
Saudi Arabia’s Qiwa platform, operating under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, has issued updated guidelines placing firm limits on employment contracts for Saudi nationals and…
HRSD Issues Strict Warning Over Fake Saudization in Private Sector
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) has issued urgent warnings to several private sector companies after detecting signs of suspected “fake Saudization” practices. The…
Health Ministry Explains Hajj Vaccine Booking Process on Sehhaty Platform
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has explained how pilgrims can book Hajj vaccinations through “Sehhaty,” the government’s official digital health app, ahead of the 1447 AH Hajj season.…
How to Check Huroob Status in Saudi Arabia (2026)
Most expats in Saudi Arabia don’t think about huroob until something goes wrong — a blocked Iqama renewal, a failed job transfer, or a sudden restriction on Absher.…
How Much Does It Cost to Withdraw Money Abroad with a Mada Card?
Planning a trip back home? Before you land and head to the nearest ATM, there’s something worth knowing: using your Saudi mada card for cash withdrawals abroad isn’t…
How to Get a Salary Certificate Through Qiwa in Saudi Arabia
A salary certificate is an official document that confirms your employment and outlines exactly what you earn. It is an officially issued digital document linked to your employment…
Saudi Arabia’s Gifted & Special Talent Residency: Benefits, Eligibility, and How to Apply
Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency Program — often called the Saudi Green Card — gives exceptional foreigners the right to live, work, and own property in the Kingdom without…
The World’s Most (and Least) Powerful Passports in 2026
Every year, Henley & Partners publishes the Henley Passport Index — a ranking of passports worldwide based on the number of countries their holders can access without a…