Living & Working in Saudi Arabia 2010/11

Transcription

1 Living & Working in Saudi Arabia 2010/11

2 Contents Saudi Arabia: A very brief introduction Climate People Religion and Culture Things you need to know before departing Do s & Don ts Vaccinations What to take What not to take Things you need to know for when you arrive Safety and security Photography Restaurants Driving Money Documentation Iqama Exit visas Transport Public transport Taxis By Car Travelling for women Communications Postal facilities Mobile phones Internet Entertainment Daytime Nightlife Excursions Food Supermarkets Restaurants Religion Prayer Ramadan Mutaween Health Hospital Care Doctors Pharmacies Optical Care Dental Care Family planning facilities Further Notes for Women

3 Saudi Arabia: A very brief introduction This guide is intended to provide you with some basic practical information about what to expect from life in Saudi Arabia. We hope that you will find it useful and that it will give you an insight into some of the hidden treasures that the Kingdom holds. As with living in any foreign country, being opened minded is the key to your adjustment. Having a good basic knowledge of the kingdom in advance will lessen any culture shock and once you are settled here, make everyday life not only easier but more pleasant and enjoyable. The experience will most definitely open your eyes to a vastly different culture and you can be guaranteed that you won t be left disappointed. Instead you will be constantly fascinated by hidden wonders of this country and its people. As you read on, you will learn more about the beauty of this country. Climate Overall, the weather conditions in Riyadh are generally dry and hot. However, the city has an average of about four inches (102mm) of rain each year, which tends to fall between the months of January and May. The summer winds can increase the temperature up to 113 F (45 C). The winter months can be quite the opposite, especially at night when the weather can drop to below freezing. The weather is most comfortable between October and May. People The population of Saudi has grown a great deal over the past few decades, with a current population of 28.6 million people (including 5.5 million non-nationals). The main occupation in this country is agriculture but there are also many jobs created by the oil field. The discovery of oil in the 1930 s has led to the growth of the country s economy. Although the country is still dependent on foreign labour, this is now beginning to change. Religion and Culture Saudi Arabia is the home of Islam, and of the two Holy Cities, Mecca (more commonly spelt as Makkah) and Medina (Madinah). Saudi is proud of its heritage, and the religious influence it has had through generations. Religion continues to have a great impact on the country and the culture as we know it today. Millions of Muslims visit Saudi each year. Muslims are expected to pray 5 times a day, at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening (the prayer times can be found in the daily newspapers). During these times all commercial outlets are closed. Friday is an Islamic holy day and everything will be closed on this day. As one very experienced 'desert hand' friend of this writer once said, "At the end of the day, Saudi is a place. No more, no less, no better and no worse than anywhere else. It's just a place." Welcome to this place, for what we hope will be the experience of a lifetime.

4 Things you need to know before departing Saudi Arabia is a strict Islamic society, where social norms and practices are very different to Europe and North America. Some subjects and topics are taboo and very much to be avoided, while others require such a high level of caution and diplomacy that anyone who is not accustomed to the country is better off staying clear of them. DO s & DON Ts - Please read these with care and be sure to fully understand Saudi customs You should: if you are male, you should offer to shake hands with male colleagues associates and new friends when you meet them when you are invited to a Saudi home, bring a present. It doesn't have to be expensive, just a simple cake or tray of sweets will suffice take off your shoes when entering a Saudi home always compliment your Saudi host/s wait until your host has finished dinner; then, when he stands up to leave, do likewise as this is the signal that the meal is over show an interest in learning something about Saudi life and culture avoid showing the soles of your feet in company; this is considered extremely rude You should NOT: extol the virtues of your own religion or your country's political system criticize the Saudi system of government or any aspect of Islam if you are male, approach a Saudi woman (or any female stranger) under any circumstances if you are female, approach Saudi men, as this may be severely misinterpreted if you are male, ask a Saudi man about the female members of his family, as this is seen as a serious invasion of privacy. You can ask, 'How's your family?' but that's all if you are female, expose more than ankles, wrists and face from the neck up in public

5 attempt to distribute any religious or political tracts even if married, show any overt signs of affection towards your spouse in public eat, drink or smoke in public during the fasting periods of the holy month of Ramadan For more information please go to: Vaccinations Recommended (though not compulsory) vaccinations for Saudi Arabia and the Middle East are as follows; Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Diptheria, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Meningococcal meningitis, yellow fever Please note: it is important to discuss any personal requirements with a doctor prior to travel. What to take Saudi Arabia is a conservative country: the Saudi people have a strict regime when it comes to the way they dress, and these rules also apply to foreigners. Foreign men are required to wear long trousers and a shirt to cover their upper torso. Foreign women also need to be well covered. Their clothes should be loose fitting, to avoid revealing the female form. When out and about, women are expected to wear the traditional, black outer garment called an abaya. Abayas can be bought online or, if you live in a multi-cultural area, from clothes shops. In the workplace, the rules for clothes are more relaxed, but foreigners still need to respect the Saudi culture by being fully covered. Women should wear full-length skirts and long-sleeved tops that do not show cleavage. When travelling, you may wish to bring items such as hair dryers, travel irons, personal stereos, laptops, cameras and other small goods with you. Generally there is no problem with these. In Saudi, both the continental European and American type plugs are used and while 110V outlets are the norm, there are also plenty of 220V sockets. Normally, bringing small electrical goods and other personal effects into KSA should not cause problems, though it is best to ensure CDs & DVDs are commercially published merchandise, and that the subject matter is not controversial in any way. Finding your favourite foodstuffs and other everyday commodities is generally not a problem in Saudi Arabia as supermarkets are well-stocked. Bringing in sealed food products usually presents no difficulties, apart from pork products and alcohol, which are expressly forbidden in the Kingdom. Shopping is one of the nation s favourite pastimes, and there are large, modern shopping malls everywhere. What not to take Certain food produce and materials are strictly forbidden when entering Saudi Arabia. These include alcohol, pork, pornography (on DVD or photographic images) and religious books. At best, these items will be confiscated, but a transgression is more likely to result in deportation and/or a prison sentence. Individuals are, however, allowed to bring in one bible for private home use only.

6 Things to know for when you arrive Safety and security The level of crime in Saudi Arabia is generally low, although there have been some increases in recent years in some urban areas. You should take the same precautions that you would at home such as locking doors when you go out and keeping your valuables in a safe place rather than in full view. Photography As you will now be aware, Saudi Arabia is an extremely conservative society. Ideally, no pictures should be taken of Saudi people unless you have asked and gained their permission to do so. Photos of the countryside and scenery itself can be taken, but please do so discreetly, and avoid people wherever possible. Restaurants The restaurants are divided into two sections. A section for families and a section for single men (or bachelors ). Groups of single men are not permitted to eat in the family section of restaurants. Women travelling alone or with other females, are expected to eat in the family section which is usually screened off from the rest of the restaurant. Driving Women are not permitted to drive by law, however, taxi s are numerous and affordable. Women should only ever sit in the back seat of a taxi. Many women contract a driver whilst in the Kingdom to make getting around easier. Men are permitted to drive, however, we would strongly recommend that you avoid driving in Riyadh wherever possible. Traffic in the city is incredibly busy and road laws/signposts are confusing at best. Mortality rates from traffic accidents are very high in the Kingdom and we would urge you to consider your personal safety first and foremost. Please see the transport section for further details.

7 Money Saudi Riyals - The national currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR) which is fixed to the US$ at Banking - There are many banking services operating in KSA, including Riyadh Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, Saudi Hollandi, Al Rajhi, Saudi-British Bank (SABB = HSBC), Saudi American Bank (SAMBA) and National Commercial Bank (NCB). Opening a bank account in Saudi Arabia is easy once you have your Iqama (residence card). In addition to this, you need a letter from your sponsor, confirming your work status, and authorising the request for a bank account and ATM card. Repatriation of funds - Saudi Arabia allows free movement of money, so transferring your money should be straightforward. It can be done by credit transfer, which typically costs SAR and takes 3-5 working days, or by wire-transfer through the likes of Swiftcash or Western Union, where the money arrives pretty much instantly but the cost is a good deal higher (SAR ). Online banking is also available with most banks. Using UK bank card - Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly used cards in Saudi and are widely accepted in most major shopping centres.

8 Documentation Iqama the residence permit Once in the country on a work visa, your employer will start the process for getting your Iqama, (residence permit ) for KSA. This costs 500 SAR for one year, or 1,000 for two-year validity, and is paid for by the employer. An Iqama is needed to open a bank account, get a driving licence, buy a car and all similar activities. You must carry a formal ID either passport or Iqama - at all times in Saudi Arabia. While you are waiting for your Iqama, your employer will give you a letter that can be presented to police or other authorities, if / when required. Exit Visas A separate visa is required for you to leave Saudi Arabia. It is a formality which should cause no problems if you have committed no crimes and incurred no substantial debts. One thing to note is that traffic fines are entered against your Iqama, and these will have to be paid in order to obtain an exit visa. If you already hold an exit visa at the time the fine is entered in the system, you will be stopped at the airport by passport control and made to pay the fine before being allowed to leave. You can check if you have any outstanding fines at an ATM, where you can also pay them off. There are three types of exit visa: Exit/re-entry single - This visa is designed to allow you to leave the kingdom and re-enter on a one -off basis. It costs SAR 200 and you can either do it yourself or get your sponsor to do it. It is normally valid for three months. Multi-exit/re-entry visa This is similar to the above but allows you to make as many return trips out of the country as you wish within a six-month period. It costs SAR 500 and if you plan on making more than two trips within six months of each other, is better value. Normally, it must be first used within two months of date of issue, and the six-month validity is from the date of first use. Final exit visa This is what you get when you leave the country at the end of your service. It is applied for by your employer/sponsor, and once used, you may not return to KSA without going through the whole employment-visa application process again. It is standard practice for employers to hold onto passports in KSA. This is so that the employer can arrange an exit/re-entry visa should you wish to go out of the country for approved vacation.

9 Transport Public Transport Public transport doesn t really exist in Riyadh. There are orange and yellow service taxis, which are a kind of mini-bus, which are cheap but not a comfortable way to travel. They are probably best avoided, especially if you are female. Taxis/Limousines Most visitors rely on white taxis, which are abundant in the city centre, but can be harder to find on the city outskirts, or at night. Drivers will usually use the meter without asking, unless you propose a fixed price. With a starting fare of SR 5 and the meter ticking up SR 1.60/km after the first kilometre, most metered trips within the city cost under SR 30. However, locals usually prefer to negotiate fares in advance, and this can often be cheaper than using the meter: short hops start at SR 10, a longer journey might be SR 15. The level of English spoken varies from decent (esp. Indian and Pakistani drivers) to non-existent, so try to find out (and write down) the name of your destination in Arabic before you head off. NB. Solo male travellers are usually expected to hop into the front seat, next to the driver, while women sit in the back seat. It is also possible to book a regular car or limo service, and this can be one of the cheapest and easiest ways to commute in Riyadh. By Car Renting a car is easy and not too expensive. Petrol is, unsurprisingly, rather cheap in KSA. Anyone renting a car and wishing to take it for short trips to Bahrain or other Gulf states, may do so on production of a letter from the rental company. An idiosyncrasy in the law, however, prevents holders of Iqamas from doing so unless they have obtained a Saudi licence. Travelling for Women Women are forbidden to drive or cycle on public roads in Saudi. All women need to travel accompanied by their husband or a male family member. Alternatively, a female can order a taxi, but it must be from a taxi firm that is designated for female use. Women are provided with transportation to and from work and shopping trips run at least once a week to assist in getting around.

10 Postal facilities While Saudi Arabia has a postal system, there are no postmen. It is therefore necessary to have a personal PO Box number. In practice, most expats use either their employer's post-box or that of the compound where they are living. In effect, your Saudi address will have nothing to do with street names, but will instead necessarily give a box number and a zip code, along with the city. Mobile Phones When you arrive in Riyadh you may wish to purchase a mobile phone. Obeikan will reimburse up to 100SAR towards the cost of purchasing a local SIM card. You will need to top up your phone credit and can do so using the prepay card at a number of Saudi stores. Typical phone charges are SAR1/ min and SAR0.5 per SMS (these vary depending on the type of call or message). If you elect to purchase your own phone there are two mobile companies to choose from: Al Jawal and Mobily. The former is more expensive but enjoys better coverage and has more international agreements. You can either obtain a pre-paid number instantly by purchasing a SIM card in any mobile phone shop, or acquire a post-paid service once you get your Iqama. Post-paid services are a little cheaper but a deposit must be paid by first-time users and once you reach the limit of that amount your service is immediately disconnected. You also will not have roaming services outside the Kingdom unless you pay a very hefty deposit. Pre-paid cards are available in just about every corner shop even in little villages, in denominations of SAR 20, 50, 100, 200 and 300. Internet Communications There has recently been a growth in Internet Cafes in Saudi. But most people prefer to set up Internet / WiFi connection at home. Café chains like Starbucks, etc are set up for WiFi and people take laptops along and work there over a coffee. Women are generally not allowed to use internet cafes but can find public access computers in women s centres around the city.

11 Entertainment Daytime One place that is especially good for value for money in KSA are the specialized shops selling a variety of Arabian delicacies from the Arab world. For those of you who like having their clothes made, you will find many tailors, who will make you a suit, trousers, jacket or shirt in accordance to your style. You first buy the material from a nearby fabric shop, and take it to the tailor, where the going rate for a suit is SAR 500 upwards and for a shirt, SAR Many western brands are also very popular in Saudi. You can find many well known brands such as Next, United Colours of Benetton, Gap and Zara. There are a number of supermarkets, shops and open-aired markets to meet your individual needs. There are many trendy cafes and coffee houses situated on Thahlia St. Starbucks have plenty of outlets long with their competitors such as Dr. Cafe and Gloria Jean's, so you will have no problem getting a Caramel Moccacino or a hot-chocolate with marshmallows. Mint tea is also a favourite drink in Saudi, as is the traditional Arabian coffee (light coffee drunk unsweetened and heavily flavoured with cardamom) usually accompanied by dates from the many date-groves in the kingdom. Some coffee shops, for the male domain, not only sell coffee and tea, but also water pipes (called Shisha) with a choice of tobacco-flavoured contents. Nightlife Due to the restrictions in Saudi, nightlife can be considered as very different to what you may call nightlife in western countries. Many people tend to spend their spare time shopping and eating out with friends and family.

12 Excursions A must see whilst working in Riyadh, is the old city of Diriyah. This is situated 12 miles (20km) northwest of Riyadh city centre and is known as the old city of Riyadh. The city is made up of several mud-brick buildings and contains the remains of the Salwa Palace, the Saad Ibn Saud Palace and the Imam Mohammad Mosque, it is open to the public every day except Friday. Covering an extensive area, its fascinating maze of old narrow streets offer a very interesting insight into life in an old Arabian town. On Fridays, the grounds outside the walls of the old town are full of families picnicking. The desert, Rub' al Khali is approximately 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) long, and 500 kilometres (310 mi) wide. There are a number of desert excursions available that offer tours using the aid of a GPS. The desert offers a scenery that cannot be missed during ones stay in Saudi. Huge rippled sand dunes can be seen from all around. However, good preparation is required to ensure you are most comfortable whilst travelling in the hot weather conditions. The desert is also home to a variety of wildlife. Not only do you have a chance of seeing lots of camels but there are also gazelle, desert Oryx, hyenas and desert foxes. Hoopoe larks and various eagles can be seen flying in the Hejaz region. Also to be seen are various lizards, beetles, scorpions and snakes, especially sand vipers. The Red Sea has now become a popular destination for people wishing to dive and explore the fascinating colours of the coral reef. Both snorkelling and diving is very common in Saudi, due to the beautiful marine life. The Red Sea offers some high quality courses, that not only give you the opportunity to train to dive, but also see some of the hidden wonders of the marine world. Many have found the Red Sea comparable to the likes of the Bahamas and the Great Barrier Reef.

13 Food Finding your favourite foods and everyday commodities is not a problem in Saudi Arabia whether you cook for yourself or prefer a takeaway or restaurant meal. Supermarkets are varied, and have a wide selection of most foodstuffs. Many supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. All shops, banks and office opening times are synchronised with prayer times, so check the newspaper or ask a colleague to be sure of exact timings. Restaurants - Riyadh has numerous fast-food outlets, including the usual western chains McDonalds and KFC. Subway also has a number of outlets, as do Chilli's, Applebee's and Pizza Hut. Saudi Arabian food chains include Herfy and Kudu. There are also many different ethnic restaurants, including Indian, Persian, Mexican, TexMex, Chinese, Korean, French and Italian. A typical Saudi dish consists of lamb or chicken on a portion of seasoned rice. The traditional cuisine is known as Kabsah. Drinking water - although tap water is safe to drink it has a high mineral and chlorine content that some people find unpleasant. Bottled water can be purchased from any local supermarket.

14 Religion Prayer Prayer times in Saudi Arabia are mandatory. All shops close and the religious police patrol the streets, making sure no-one flaunts the rules. The prayer times are: Fajr (before sunrise, not really applicable to most businesses), Zuhr (midday), Asr (mid-afternoon), Maghrib (sunset) and Isha (90 minutes after Maghreb). Each prayer time lasts approximately half an hour. Ramadan the holy month of fasting and prayer During the important holy month of Ramadan it is forbidden to eat, drink or smoke in any public place between sunrise and sunset. Workplaces usually provide an eating area for non-muslims during this time. Although all restaurants close during the daytime shops usually remain open (subject to altered trading hours) and even ready-cooked food can be purchased for consumption, but in private only. Discussing food or drink with Muslims during fasting hours is discourteous, and should be avoided. Ramadan starts from approximately late August (depending on the moon sighting) and culminates in Eid al-fitr celebrations in late September (2009). As Saudi Arabia uses the 354-day Hijra lunar calendar, the dates for Ramadan change each year, falling days earlier each year. Mutaween The religious police of Saudi Arabia enforce public morality. In addition to having the power to arrest anyone engaged in inappropriate activities (immoral contact between men and women, fornication, alcohol-related issues, proselytizing of non-muslim religions) they can also enforce Islamic dress-codes and store closures during prayer time. Despite this formidable-sounding list of activities, the mutaween have been less visible in recent years; they generally leave westerners* alone, though if you look Arabic, you may attract their attention. Although they should not be dismissed lightly, those who do not push the boundaries in public have little to fear from them. *(see especially dress code for women)

15 Healthcare in Saudi Hospitals and Doctors Once you have your Iqama healthcare is free in public hospitals. Care in these is very good in terms of personnel and equipment, although queues may be lengthy. Private medical insurance is part of your employment package and you will be given a list of participating private hospitals and clinics. Pharmacies Pharmacies in Riyadh are usually open 24/7. Optical Care Opticians are generally good and are cheaper than in Europe and the US. For disposable contact lens wearers (e.g. monthly), you may have to wait a few days for unusual prescriptions but never more. Virtually all optical products available in the West are available in KSA. Dental Care There are many dental clinics to be found in Saudi Arabia. Standards vary and if possible you should try to get a personal recommendation. Dental care is considerably cheaper than in Europe and North America. Family-planning facilities There are no family planning clinics as such but most family planning services available through doctors in the west by prescription are also available in Saudi Arabia. Condoms are available in almost all pharmacies. Abortion is illegal and anyone wanting to procure one would have to leave the country.

16 Further Notes for Women The strict Islamic culture of Saudi Arabia can sometimes be difficult for Western women to adapt to. While we do our best to minimise the impact of various factors including travel restrictions, you should be prepared to make certain adaptations to your lifestyle while in KSA, most notably in terms of dress. We strongly recommend that you do some research before travelling to the kingdom so that you have a solid understanding of the culture before you arrive. Alongside the information provided on our website, other sources of information include: The majority of our female staff members who joined the project last year have elected to return for the session. They will be happy to share tips and cultural knowledge with you once you arrive and make your transition into Saudi life a smooth one. You will also receive a cultural induction during your initial training week that is intended to help you settle in. We are always happy to answer your queries regarding life in Saudi. If you have any questions please contact the deployment team at deployment.saudi@bell-worldwide.com

17 All that remains for us to say is have a great year and we hope that you enjoy your time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia