Riyadh - Post Report Question and Answers
What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Most EFMs work at the embassy. - Jul 2021
Working at the embassy or AISR is really the only viable option (although some have been able to work out other opportunities). Morale has taken a major hit here with the hiring freeze and its aftermath since there are so few employment options outside the embassy. In the past EFM employment has been a major benefit of Riyadh, but as with most of the world, that is no longer the case. - Feb 2018
Not really as I didn't work on the local economy, but rather had a newspaper editing job that I did remotely from home. There might be some teaching jobs, but my understanding is that those are pretty dreadful (and I'm also not sure dependents can take them without work permits). Most dependents work at the embassy or related organizations. A telecommuting job could also work if you are lucky enough to get a house that can sustain a high-speed connection. - Oct 2017
I don't think many people work on the local economy other than at the schools (though it's definitely possible to work); embassy has many job openings for "EFMs" but they are mostly full-time. - Jan 2017
I was not aware of any. - May 2016
Yes. All over the place. - Nov 2015
There is no bilateral agreement, so spouses cannot work on the local economy unless they give up their diplomatic passport. There are some options in the embassy. Some spouses are working unofficially in the schools. - Oct 2015
There is no bilateral work agreement between US and Saudi so spouses cannot work on the local economy unless they gave up their diplomatic immunity. - Oct 2015
No. - Jan 2015
Not really unless you teach. - Sep 2014
Not really. There might be some teaching jobs, but my understanding is that those are pretty dreadful (and I'm also not sure dependents can take them without work permits). Most dependents work at the Embassy or related organizations. A telecommuting job could also work if you are lucky enough to get a house that can sustain a high-speed connection. - Mar 2014
It depends on your status here. We do have some spouses teaching at schools, we had a spouse who worked at a lawyer's office. For the most part working on the local economy is quite difficult. - Dec 2013
Not that I know of. - Oct 2013
Yes, though the conditions and work practices can be hair-raising. For female spouses: check out the "Women's Skills Bureau" website. - Mar 2013
Working leagally on the local economy is quite challenging due to work permits. However freelance positions are available especially in teaching and healthcare. Check out the women's skills bureau for connecting with local opportunities http://www.wsb-ksa.com/ - Apr 2011
Yes. - Jul 2010
Depends on your background and expertise. - Mar 2010
Not for an Embassy empoyee's spouse. - Jan 2010
Not for USG spouses. - Dec 2009
Yes, but not for women. - Oct 2008
No. - Aug 2008
