Reply to: Anyone ever worked in Saudi?

[Fred Bloggs]

It can be. What's to say he won't stay out UK for the required period of time. Even if not, just invoice into offshore account, keep stum and and don't declare it.

Possible, but "by the book" you have to be "employed" out of the country for the qualifying period, not just on holiday. Any number of ways to skin a cat, but not all are legal or ethical. I'd plan on paying the tax myself.

[Turion]

Bear in mind, it will not be free of UK tax. Good luck.

It can be. What's to say he won't stay out UK for the required period of time. Even if not, just invoice into offshore account, keep stum and and don't declare it.

[Fred Bloggs]

Found out a bit more....

Client: Saudi Airlines

Role: SAP

All travel, 5* star accomodation, meals, transfers included.

Working a 3 week cycle, 2 weeks on and then 1 week off (unpaid or a retainer - yet to be established) with inclusive flights back and forth to the UK for every 3rd week.

6 - 9 month gig

All visas sorted by the client including internal transport


Hmmmmmm!!

Yes, that sounds OK. If I had nothing else to do, I'd accept that. Depending on rate that's a good deal, better than any I've seen lately. Bear in mind, it will not be free of UK tax. Good luck.

[Olly]

Actually, reading those conditions again it sounds really quite good. Especially if they'll be flexible about where you fly in that week off (and you don't want to come back to the UK all the time)

What is the rate by the way? If you don't want to do it maybe I will...I'm sure there'll still be some folk I know at the diving beach there

[Jubber]

Post a picture of yourself on here before you go.

When you're on YouTube in an orange boiler suit with three bearded nutters holding a knife to your throat, we'll know who you are.

[Olly]

first off...listen to Sal626..the rest are pretty much spouting bollox (apologies "rest")

I've worked there for 18 months. Jeddah is ok and on the contract terms you state it sounds like a good gig.

Just be sure to get your way into the expat community as soon as possible.

As you've not been then I'd recommend it for the experience. DO NOT STAY LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS!!! the places really winds you up after a while.

To go back on a 6 month gig in Jeddah I'd do it for double normal(ish) current rate plus really good accommodation package thrown in. If it were some sh*t hole like Taif then I'd need 3 or poss even 4 * current rate to persuade me.

Jeddah is one of the best (and I use that term loosely) places in Saudi.

[Menelaus]

1. Saudia Airlines HQ is in Jeddah (was 2 mins drive from my house).
2. Unlikely they would provide a guard.

Security situation has improved over last 2-3 years. Hotel security should be fine...and going to commercial/shopping areas would be safe. A good idea would be to speak to the British embassy in Jeddah for more info...(they should be open sat/sun...working days in saudi).

I stand corrected!

[sal626]

1. Saudia Airlines HQ is in Jeddah (was 2 mins drive from my house).
2. Unlikely they would provide a guard.

Security situation has improved over last 2-3 years. Hotel security should be fine...and going to commercial/shopping areas would be safe. A good idea would be to speak to the British embassy in Jeddah for more info...(they should be open sat/sun...working days in saudi).

[Menelaus]

Found out a bit more....

Client: Saudi Airlines

Role: SAP

All travel, 5* star accomodation, meals, transfers included.

Working a 3 week cycle, 2 weeks on and then 1 week off (unpaid or a retainer - yet to be established) with inclusive flights back and forth to the UK for every 3rd week.

6 - 9 month gig

All visas sorted by the client including internal transport


Hmmmmmm!!

1. How much internal transport would there be likely to be? (Surely if it's Royal Saudi Airlines you'd be working in Riyadh rather than Jeddah?)

2. You might want to insist on personal guard being provided, given that you're the infidel. There's a reason why BA quit flying there for a while...

[PaulCD]

Found out a bit more....

Client: Saudi Airlines

Role: SAP

All travel, 5* star accomodation, meals, transfers included.

Working a 3 week cycle, 2 weeks on and then 1 week off (unpaid or a retainer - yet to be established) with inclusive flights back and forth to the UK for every 3rd week.

6 - 9 month gig

All visas sorted by the client including internal transport


Hmmmmmm!!

[Menelaus]

Have you seen the film 'Kingdom'?

WHS.

Too close to a documentary for my tastes, I'm afraid...

[Gravy Train]

Have you seen the film 'Kingdom'?

[Menelaus]

I was there (Saudi) last year, only for a few days though (thankfully).

It's a place that I hope will soon return to its richly-deserved misanthropic and misogynistic obscurity.

As someone above said if it was Saudi or starve I'd go but other than that? No thanks.

[sal626]

I grew up in Saudi and also worked there in late 90s - in Jeddah. have been back there as recent as 2006. Security situation was bad after 911, with various car bombs, attacks on compounds, etc. But it has calmed down in last couple of years (mainly cause all the militants left for Iraq).

Its not that bad a place, and you wont be stuck on your compound, you are free to move around in the city. They have decent beaches (especially for diving), enough malls, and there is an active expat community (some compounds have bars, evening events on weekends, etc). Just respect the local customs, i.e. dont be walking around the shops drunk...

You're not automatically guilty if you have an accident, but they almost never find the saudi national 100% guilty - so even if its not your fault, you get 50% of the blame.

Try and find out which company the role is for, and I can tell you what they may be like...

PM if you have any more specific questions.

[Brussels Slumdog]

Driving in Saudi

I have heard from contractors who have worked there before that as a non-
Saudi if you have an accident then you are automatically guilty.
Maybe you will need to hire a local driver.