Saudi Arabia
Asia · Capital: Riyadh
Vision 2030 has rebuilt the Saudi remote-work story — new Premium Residency tracks, zero personal income tax, and serious infrastructure investment
About Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia post-2019 is unrecognizable to anyone who hadn't visited recently. Tourist visas exist (they didn't before), women drive (they couldn't before 2018), and a Premium Residency program targets high-earning remote workers. Riyadh and Jeddah have growing nomad communities anchored around major coworking spaces (Spaces, AstroLabs). Internet is fiber-fast across the major cities. The country pairs zero personal income tax with the cost of living of an oil-funded service economy — expensive in Western Europe terms, structurally different from anywhere else in Asia.
Visa & Entry (US Citizens)
Saudi Arabia has no dedicated digital-nomad visa. Its Premium Residency (the informal "Saudi green card") is a residence/investment permit — not a remote-work visa — that lets expatriates live, work, and own business and property without a Saudi sponsor. It costs a one-time SAR 800,000 (~US$213,000) for the permanent option or a renewable SAR 100,000/year (~US$26,660). Verify current terms with the Premium Residency Center.
US citizens can apply for the 90-day tourist eVisa online (USD 100) for short-stay remote work — there's no specific prohibition on remote work for foreign employers during a tourist stay. The Premium Residency replaces this for long-term stays and grants real estate ownership and no-sponsor work rights — a meaningfully different legal status from any other Asian nomad visa.
Currency & Banking
Al Rajhi Bank, NCB (SNB after the 2021 merger), Riyad Bank, and Saudi British Bank (SABB, an HSBC affiliate) are the major retail banks. SABB is the most foreigner-friendly for non-Arabic speakers. Opening a local account requires an Iqama (residence permit) — typically 2–3 weeks after Premium Residency issuance. Wise covers Saudi Arabia inbound; Revolut works for daily life. ATMs are widespread; cards are universally accepted in cities. STC Pay (the dominant local mobile-pay app) is increasingly required for small vendors and taxis.
1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR· live rate, updated 2026-07-27
Wise
International banking without the fees
Language
Arabic is the only official language. English is widely spoken in Riyadh and Jeddah's business districts, in coworking spaces, in modern restaurants, and across the major hospital and university systems. Outside these contexts (markets, government offices, smaller restaurants), Arabic phrases are essential — even basic greetings significantly improve interactions. Saudis appreciate visible effort with the language.
Tax Residency
Saudi Arabia has zero personal income tax. Triggering 183-day tax residency creates no local income-tax liability. There's a 15% VAT on most goods and services and a small Zakat (Islamic religious wealth tax) on net wealth for Muslim citizens — neither typically applies to foreign nomads. For US citizens, FEIE qualification still requires the standard tests on the US side. Capital gains are also generally untaxed for individuals.
Healthcare
King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Saudi German Hospitals, and Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib hospitals are the standard private hospitals and provide internationally-recognized care. Health insurance is mandatory for both tourist and Premium Residency stays; SafetyWing covers Saudi Arabia. Private GP visits run SAR 200–500 (~USD 53–133). Pharmacies are widespread; prescription requirements are stricter than in Southeast Asia.
SIM & Connectivity
STC, Mobily, and Zain are the three carriers; STC has the widest 5G coverage. Prepaid SIMs require Iqama or passport at carrier shops (SAR 30–60 setup, USD 8–16). Unlimited 30-day data plans run SAR 100–250 (~USD 27–67). 5G is universal in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Airalo and Holafly eSIMs work — install before arrival to skip the in-person SIM setup which has gotten stricter under the Tabaki regulations.
Airalo
eSIM for 190+ countries
Cultural Tips
- 1
The country has changed dramatically since 2017 — restrictions on entertainment, public spaces for unmarried couples, and women's mobility have been substantially relaxed. Many guides written before 2019 are out of date.
- 2
Friday is the primary day of rest (not Sunday), with the Saturday weekend pairing. Government offices and most businesses are closed Friday; major restaurants and malls are open. Plan logistics around this.
- 3
Dress code remains modest in public — long sleeves and long pants/skirts for both men and women are the practical standard, though the abaya is no longer mandatory for women. Beach resorts on the Red Sea coast follow more relaxed rules.
- 4
Tipping is 10% in sit-down restaurants where service isn't included; SAR 5–10 for taxis. Hospitality service jobs are largely held by foreign workers — tipping is appreciated.
- 5
Ramadan transforms the entire month — most restaurants close during daylight hours, business hours shift to nights, and respecting the fast (no public eating or drinking during the day) is expected of everyone, including non-Muslims.
Free tools for Saudi Arabia
Plan your move with these free calculators.
Good to know in Saudi Arabia
Facts verified 2026-07-27The practical stuff worth knowing before you land.
Before you go to Saudi Arabia
Four things worth sorting before you land, and the honest reason each one matters.
Why you need a VPN
Your home bank, broker, and PayPal often block or freeze logins from Saudi Arabia, and the cheaper the country, the harder they block it. A VPN gives you a home-country IP so your accounts, and your home streaming, keep working.
Why you need an eSIM
Land with working data before you find Wi-Fi. Maps, ride-hailing, and the 2FA texts your bank sends all work the moment you step off the plane, with no airport SIM queue and no roaming bill.
Why you need travel insurance
Hospitals in Saudi Arabia usually want payment up front, and your policy back home rarely follows you abroad. Monthly nomad cover fills that gap and you can start it after you have already left.
Why you need a multi-currency account
Skip the 3-7% your home bank quietly adds every time you spend or get paid abroad. Hold local currency, pay at the real exchange rate, and get local bank details for rent and invoices.
Some links are affiliate links. Settled Nomad may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions — Saudi Arabia
Common questions from digital nomads researching Saudi Arabia.
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia?
Does Saudi Arabia have a digital nomad visa?
Is Saudi Arabia in the Schengen Zone?
What language is spoken in Saudi Arabia and how much English is there?
What are the tax implications of living in Saudi Arabia as a digital nomad?
What is healthcare like in Saudi Arabia for expats and digital nomads?
How do I get a local SIM card in Saudi Arabia?
Gear up for Saudi Arabia
Tools the Settled Nomad community relies on — vetted, nomad-tested.
SafetyWing
Travel & medical insurance for nomads
Flexible monthly coverage starting at $42/mo. Cancel anytime, covers 180+ countries, and pays out in USD.
Airalo
eSIM for 190+ countries
Skip the airport SIM queue. Buy a local eSIM before you land and stay connected from day one.
Wise
International banking without the fees
Hold 50+ currencies, get local bank details in 10 countries, and send money at the real exchange rate.
NordVPN
Stay secure on public Wi-Fi
Essential for coworking spaces and coffee shops. Access home streaming services and keep your data private.
Booking.com
Monthly stays & apartments worldwide
Filter by monthly price, kitchen, and workspace. Thousands of nomad-friendly apartments not on Airbnb.
Skyscanner
Find the cheapest flights anywhere
Compare hundreds of airlines in seconds. Set price alerts and book when the fare drops.
These are affiliate links. Settled Nomad earns a commission at no extra cost to you.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. Settled Nomad may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.
Stay in the loop
New city guides, visa changes, and nomad intel for Saudi Arabia and beyond — monthly, no spam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries have digital nomad visas in 2026?
Over 60 countries now offer official digital nomad or remote worker visas, including Portugal, Spain, Germany, Georgia, the UAE, Barbados, Costa Rica, Colombia, Greece, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Iceland, and many more. Income requirements range from $0 (Georgia) to $3,500+/month (Portugal, Germany). Most programs grant 1–2 year renewable permits with a path to residency.
How do I know if I am a tax resident in a country?
Most countries use the 183-day rule — if you spend 183 or more days in a country in a calendar year, you trigger tax residency. Some countries like France and Germany also consider 'center of vital interests' (where your family, home, and economic ties are). Territorial tax countries like Georgia, Paraguay, and Panama only tax income earned within their borders, making them popular bases for nomads earning foreign income.
Which countries have territorial tax systems beneficial for digital nomads?
Georgia, Paraguay, Panama, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand (on remitted income) all operate territorial tax systems — they only tax income sourced within their borders. Digital nomads earning from foreign clients typically owe zero local income tax in these countries. Always confirm with a tax professional, as rules change and your home country's exit tax obligations still apply.
How do I choose the right country as a digital nomad base?
Start with the visa question: can you legally stay long enough to justify the move? Then check cost against your income, timezone alignment with your clients, and tax implications for your home country. For most US-based nomads under $120,000/year, the FEIE shields most or all foreign income regardless of base country. Filter our country guides by nomad visa availability or continent to narrow your shortlist.