Before You Leave
Tax residency
Canada taxes residents on worldwide income, so the key question is whether you sever residential ties — your home, spouse and dependants in Canada — and become a non-resident for tax purposes. If you do, report your departure date on your final return, be ready for departure tax (a deemed disposition of certain investments on the day you leave), and note that Canadian-source income such as rent is still taxed, usually via 25% non-resident withholding. If you keep strong ties you may remain a factual resident and owe Canadian tax on your Saudi salary. Talk to a cross-border tax accountant before you sign.
Home banking and credit cards
Keep at least one Canadian chequing account open for pre-authorised payments, mortgage or student loan repayments and emergency access, and tell your bank you are moving abroad so the account isn't frozen. Ask how they handle non-resident customers, as some restrict investment accounts once you leave. Check foreign transaction fees on your cards, and make sure your online banking and CRA My Account logins do not depend on a Canadian mobile number you are about to cancel.
Pensions and savings
Your RRSP can stay where it is and keep growing tax-deferred; you can still contribute if you have room, but withdrawals as a non-resident face withholding tax. Stop contributing to your TFSA the moment you become non-resident — contributions made while abroad attract a 1% monthly penalty — though existing balances can stay. CPP and OAS entitlements are preserved. Review non-registered investments for departure-tax consequences, keep statements for everything, and get advice before selling or restructuring.
Document legalisation
Confirm the exact chain with your Saudi employer before paying for anything. Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2024, so degrees, marriage and birth certificates now need an Apostille from Global Affairs Canada or the competent provincial authority (Ontario, Quebec, BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan issue their own). Academic qualifications may also need verification through the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau in Ottawa. Request your RCMP criminal record check early and budget for authorised Arabic translations once you arrive.
Pets and medical records
Pet exports need a CFIA-endorsed health certificate plus Saudi import approval, microchipping and up-to-date rabies vaccination; the sequence takes months, so start early. Tell your provincial health plan you are leaving — most provinces cancel coverage after a set absence, though some allow an extended-absence exemption if you apply. Request copies of prescriptions, immunisation records, dental records and any specialist notes for each family member, and carry regular medication in original packaging with a doctor's letter.
Visas & Documents
Canadian citizens relocating for work need an employer-sponsored Work Visa. Your employer starts the process in Saudi Arabia; you then complete a medical examination at an approved clinic, obtain an RCMP criminal record check, and have your qualifications attested — an Apostille followed by verification through the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau in Ottawa for degrees — before the visa is issued by the Saudi embassy in Ottawa or a consulate. Healthcare professionals also need Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) classification and the Prometric exam, which your employer or recruiter will coordinate.
Once you arrive, your employer will arrange your Iqama (residency permit). The Iqama is your essential ID card, needed to open a bank account, rent a home, get a SIM card and set up utilities. Keep a photo of it on your phone — you will be asked for it constantly.
Employment & Contracts
Canadians are heavily represented in Saudi healthcare, education, engineering and the energy sector, and most arrive on packages that bundle a base salary with housing (or a housing allowance), medical insurance, annual flights home and, for families, an education allowance. Check whether housing is provided or paid as cash, whether the flight allowance covers dependants, and whether the education allowance covers the school you actually want.
There is no personal income tax in Saudi Arabia — which, coming from Ontario or Quebec marginal rates, is the single biggest change to your take-home pay. There is no employer pension contribution; instead you accrue an end-of-service benefit (ESB), typically half a month's salary per year for the first five years and a full month per year thereafter, paid when you leave. Annual leave is usually 21–30 days, and contracts are generally fixed-term and renewable.
Housing & Neighbourhoods
Most expats choose between a home in a residential compound and an apartment or villa "on the economy" — the commonly used expat term for living outside a compound. Compounds offer an easier first landing and built-in community, while living on the economy usually gives you more choice, better value and a closer connection to the city around you.
Rents are quoted annually and are usually paid in one or two instalments up front. Residential leases must be registered through Ejar. Many employers provide accommodation or pay a housing allowance, so check exactly what your employment contract includes before deciding where and how to rent.
Compounds: the easy landing
When you are new, compounds can make settling in much easier. They commonly provide gated security, pools, gyms, tennis courts, playgrounds, cafés and often a shop or restaurant on site. You also gain an immediate social circle of other expats, school-bus pick-ups, a more relaxed dress code inside the walls and maintenance handled for you.
The trade-off is price: compounds often cost 30–60% more than an equivalent villa or apartment outside, and the most popular developments can have waiting lists. Many arrivals spend their first year or two in a compound and then move out once they understand the city and their preferred commute.
Compound prices are normally quoted per year. Villas in the leading Riyadh compounds can run well into six figures in SAR annually.
Living outside a compound
Living outside a compound is generally cheaper, gives you a wider choice of homes and puts you closer to the everyday life of the city. Expat-oriented apartment buildings and smaller "mini compounds" are also available in many popular districts.
Riyadh: Al Olaya, Al Malqa, Hittin, Al Narjis, Al Sahafa, Diplomatic Quarter (DQ).
Jeddah: Al Shati, Al Rawdah, Al Hamra, Al Salamah, Al Zahra.
Eastern Province: Al Rakah and Al Aqrabiyah (Khobar), Dhahran, Al Shati (Dammam).
Popular compounds
Riyadh
- Al Nakhla Residential Resort
- Kingdom City
- Arizona Golf Resort
- Cordoba Oasis Village
- Al Hamra Oasis Village
- Ranco Village
- Seder Village
- Ishbilia Village
- Rawabi Pearl
- Arcadia Residential Compound
Jeddah
- Sharbatly Village
- Arabian Homes
- Basateen Village
- Al Basateen Compound
- Midtown Khalidiyyah
Eastern Province
- Eurovillage
- Dana Compound
- Nada Compound
- Zamil Village
- Al Ansari Compound
- Dhahran Hills (Aramco housing — employees only)
This isn't a ranking — availability changes constantly, and the right compound depends on where you work and which school you've chosen.
Browse more compounds on RightCompound.
Practical tips
- View the property before you sign if at all possible.
- Ask your employer's HR team which compounds colleagues use.
- Check commute times to the office and school at 7:30am, not on a weekend.
Healthcare System
Your employer is legally required to provide private medical insurance for you and your sponsored dependants. Private healthcare in the major cities is excellent — many Canadian physicians and nurses work in it — with modern hospitals and English-speaking staff widely available. The experience is very different from Canada: no family-doctor waitlists, same-week specialist appointments, and you pay attention to your insurance tier rather than your health card.
Check your policy's coverage class, network hospitals and co-payments before you need them. Your provincial health plan will not cover you in the Kingdom, and most provinces cancel coverage after an extended absence unless you apply for an exemption, so plan for what happens on trips home. Bring enough of any regular medication to last until you have found a local doctor, with a supporting letter and the original packaging.
Banking & FX
Which bank to open
In our experience SAB is the most straightforward Saudi bank for expats who want to send money home via a licensed FX provider like SummitFX. Some other banks restrict or delay third-party international payments, which can lock you into their own exchange rates.
SNB, Al Rajhi and Riyad Bank are widely used alternatives; compare their account requirements, transfer controls and published charges before choosing.
What using a specialist FX provider saves you
Canadian and Saudi banks typically build a 2–3% margin into their exchange rate on top of any transfer fee, and because the riyal is pegged to the US dollar, Saudi banks often route CAD through USD and take a margin on both legs. A specialist FX provider like SummitFX works from the live interbank rate, so on most transfers you keep the majority of that 2–3% yourself.
- Arriving: Rent is usually paid 6–12 months up front, so many new arrivals send a large lump sum from Canada to cover the first year. On a SAR 60,000 annual rent (about CA$22,500), a 2–3% bank margin costs you CA$450–CA$680 before you've unpacked.
- Every month after that: Most Canadian expats send part of their tax-free salary home for a mortgage, RRSP contributions, student loans or family. On a monthly transfer of SAR 20,000 (about CA$7,500), the same margin is CA$150–CA$230 a month — CA$1,800–CA$2,700 a year, every year you're in the Kingdom.
Whether you are paying a Canadian mortgage, topping up an RRSP, repaying student loans or supporting family, sending money via your Saudi bank's app exposes you to a wide CAD/SAR spread — and because the riyal is pegged to the US dollar, some banks convert SAR to USD and then USD to CAD, taking a margin twice. SummitFX quotes CAD/SAR directly from the live interbank rate and can deliver Canadian dollars to your account the same day. Check the live CAD/SAR rate.
Need to transfer CAD to SAR?
Get a bank-beating rate and same-day delivery with SummitFX.
Get a live SAR quoteDriving & Transport
Driving is the default way to get around, although the Riyadh Metro is changing that in the capital. Canadian licences are generally accepted for conversion to a Saudi licence without a full driving test, subject to an eye test, an authorised translation and the usual paperwork once you have your Iqama — but the eligible-country list is reviewed periodically, so confirm the current rule with your employer's government-relations (PRO) team. You'll be driving on the right, as at home, but traffic is faster and less forgiving; take it slowly for the first few weeks.
Uber and Careem are everywhere and are a reliable option while you wait for your licence. Most expats buy or lease a car within the first few months; bank leasing is common, and petrol is a fraction of Canadian prices. Winter tyres are one thing you will never think about again.
Schools & Family Life
There is no Canadian-curriculum school in Saudi Arabia, so most Canadian families choose between the American curriculum (High School Diploma with AP courses — the closest fit to an Ontario or Alberta diploma), the British curriculum (IGCSE and A-Levels) or the International Baccalaureate. All three are recognised by Canadian universities; the IB in particular is well regarded for admissions and can earn advanced standing. French-immersion families should note that French-medium options are limited to a handful of Lycée-style schools.
Secure a school place before you sign your contract if you can — waiting lists at the popular schools are long, and the academic year starts in late August or early September, so timing lines up reasonably well with a Canadian school year. Family life revolves around the compound, school and a rapidly growing entertainment scene of cinemas, theme parks and international sport.
International schools popular with Canadian families
Riyadh
- American International School Riyadh (AIS-R)
- British International School Riyadh (BISR)
- Reigate Grammar School Riyadh
Jeddah
Eastern Province
- International Schools Group (ISG) — Dhahran, Dammam and Jubail
- British International School Al Khobar
Waiting lists can be long, particularly for popular year groups, so contact schools and apply as early as possible.
Culture & Daily Life
Saudi Arabia is a conservative Islamic country and understanding local customs matters. Prayer times shape the day, modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) is expected in public, and although the abaya is no longer legally required for expat women, most dress conservatively outside compounds. Alcohol is not available and there are no bars — for many Canadians that is a bigger adjustment than the heat.
The weekend is Friday and Saturday, and Riyadh is 7–8 hours ahead of Toronto, so calls home work best in your evening. Summers are long and hot — Riyadh regularly passes 45°C, though it is a dry heat, and the Eastern Province and Jeddah are humid — while winters are mild and sunny, which many Canadians find is the best part. Learning some Arabic and accepting Saudi hospitality when it is offered will transform your experience.
Community & Support
Canadians are a well-established expat group in Saudi Arabia, particularly in healthcare, engineering, energy and education — the Eastern Province around Dhahran and Aramco has had a Canadian community for decades. Most people find their circle through compound life, school parent groups, hockey (yes, there are rinks in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran), running and cycling clubs, and events organised through the Embassy of Canada in Riyadh. Register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service before you leave so the embassy can reach you.
Facebook groups
- Canadians in Saudi Arabia: The Canadian community is small and most local groups are private — ask the Embassy of Canada, your compound or Canadian colleagues for an invite
- City expat groups — Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar: Expats in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
- City expat groups — Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar: The Expats Club – Riyadh
- City expat groups — Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar: Jeddah Expatriates
- City expat groups — Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar: Expats Jeddah For All
- City expat groups — Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar: Expatriates in Al Khobar
- Parents and school groups: Most school and parent groups are private WhatsApp groups — ask your school's admissions team or class rep for an invite
Podcasts & resources
Arrival Checklist
In your first few weeks, get your Iqama processed through your employer's HR team — everything else depends on it. Then open a local bank account, buy a SIM card (STC, Mobily or Zain), install the Absher and Tawakkalna apps, and register your address on the National Address (SPL) system.
Register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service and note the Embassy of Canada in Riyadh as your consular contact. Set up your money route home early — decide which Saudi bank and which FX provider you will use before your first salary lands — and start exploring your neighbourhood and the Canadian and wider expat networks.
Cost of Living: Saudi Arabia vs Canada
| Item | Cost in Saudi Arabia | Saudi cost in CAD | Typical cost in Toronto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed apartment, good area) | 4,500 SAR | — | CAD 2,400 |
| Groceries (monthly for 1) | 1,400 SAR | — | CAD 500 |
| Utilities (monthly) | 500 SAR | — | CAD 200 |
| Meal at mid-range restaurant | 120 SAR | — | CAD 35 |
| Petrol / gas (1 litre) | 2.33 SAR | — | CAD 1.6 |
| International / private school fees (per year) | 70,000 SAR | — | CAD 30,000 |
| Gym membership (monthly) | 300 SAR | — | CAD 70 |
| Coffee (latte) | 20 SAR | — | CAD 5.5 |
| Mobile plan (monthly) | 120 SAR | — | CAD 55 |
| Cleaner (4 hours per week, monthly) | 800 SAR | — | CAD 560 |
| Car insurance (annual) | 2,500 SAR | — | CAD 2,800 |
Note: Costs are indicative and vary based on lifestyle, neighbourhood, and inflation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saudi Arabia does not levy personal income tax. Whether Canada taxes your Saudi salary depends on your residency status: if you sever residential ties and become a non-resident, your foreign employment income is not taxed in Canada, but Canadian-source income such as rent still is. If you keep significant ties — a home, spouse or dependants in Canada — you may remain a factual resident and owe Canadian tax on worldwide income. Get cross-border tax advice before you leave.
When you become a non-resident, the CRA treats you as having sold certain property — typically non-registered investments — at fair market value on the day you leave, and taxes any capital gain. Your home, RRSP and TFSA are excluded. You can defer payment by posting security, but the gain still has to be reported.
No. The riyal (SAR) is pegged to the US dollar at 3.75, so the CAD/SAR rate simply follows USD/CAD. When the loonie weakens against the US dollar, your Saudi salary is worth more in Canadian dollars.
For anything above a few thousand dollars, a specialist FX provider like SummitFX will usually beat a bank on the rate — often by 2–3% — with same-day delivery. Open a Saudi bank account that supports payments to third-party FX providers (SAB, in our experience) so you aren't limited to your bank's own rate.
It is no longer legally required for expat women. Modest dress — shoulders and knees covered — is expected in public, and many women still wear an abaya or loose clothing outside compounds for comfort and convenience.
The Iqama is your Saudi residency permit and ID card, issued through your employer. You need it to open a bank account, rent a home, get a SIM, sponsor dependants and convert your driving licence.
Foreign ownership is being opened up gradually but is still limited to specific circumstances and designated zones, and most expats rent. Rent is normally paid annually or half-yearly in advance, so budget for a large upfront payment in your first month.
No. Canadian families generally choose the American, British or IB curriculum at one of the international schools in Riyadh, Jeddah or the Eastern Province. All are recognised by Canadian universities, but apply early as waiting lists are long.
Need to transfer CAD to SAR?
Get a bank-beating rate and same-day delivery with SummitFX.
Get a live SAR quote