Saudi Arabia And UAE Introduce 5% VAT
The Middle East has long been associated with tax-free living, but from January 1st United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia 5% VAT on most goods and services. The introduction of VAT follows the recommendation from the IMF that oil-exporting countries in the Gulf introduce taxes as one way to raise non-oil revenue. Forbes reports that...
Saudi Arabia Collects New Tax On Expats
From July, Saudi Arabia is collecting a new tax from expats and their dependants, a move that is seen to boost the country’s revenues amid weak oil prices. The new fee will be 100 Saudi riyals (SAR) per dependant per month, around £21 or $27. The amount is expected to increase gradually every year until...
Older Expats Count Twice In Saudi Arabia
Any expat in Saudi Arabia who is 60 years of age or more will be counted as two expat staff in the Nitaqat Saudisation programme, Al-Madina Arabic newspaper has reported. Expats registered as investors or academicians (professors, associate professors, assistant professors, lecturers) or working as doctors will not be considered as two staff even though...
Saudi Arabia To Tax Money Sent Abroad
The Saudi authorities are considering a tax on remittances by expats. By tightening the rules on employees sending money abroad the Saudi government aims to raise revenue. It is considering plans to impose a tax of up to 6 per cent on money sent out of the country by expats. New rules may also limit...
Rising Need For Middle East Renewables Engineers
There was a significant increase in the number of renewable energy contractor roles in the Middle East during the first quarter of 2016, with engineers particularly in demand. The data comes from professional services consultancy Procorre’s latest analysis of recruitment trends in the Middle East. The figures highlight that Saudi Arabia is recruiting the largest...
Saudis Consider ‘Green Card’ System
Saudi Arabia is considering setting up a ‘green card’ system, similar to that used in the US, as part of plans to raise $100 billion of revenues annually by 2020. The green card system and a plan to charge companies a fee for hiring more foreign workers above official quotas could raise $10 billion each...
Five-Year Permits For Expats In Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s passports department is starting to issue new resident permits with a five-year lifespan for expatriates. According to reports in Arab News, the new resident permits were first issued on 15 October, the first day of the Islamic New Year. Companies and expatriates have to renew the permits yearly online, with no need...
Living and Working in Saudi Arabia
For those of you looking forward to taking on new contracts in the Middle East, here is a brief introduction to what you can expect if you are going to work in Saudi Arabia. Arabia is the birthplace and centre of Islam. Islam is the official religion of Saudi Arabia, the only one permitted to its...