Living with Family in Saudi Arabia, Is It Still Okay in 2022?

We have been living in Saudi Arabia for many years now - I don't want to elaborate on how long, so you just have to take my word for it. If you happen to pass by here to find out if it is still good to live here in Saudi Arabia, then you came to the right place.

Before we go to more details, I would like to thank you for dropping by. If you are living or planning to live in Saudi Arabia with your family, here are the things you have to consider or you have to expect. These are things you have to prepar:

Residence Permit - you don't have to worry about this because sponsors should be the one to shoulder payments on renewal of residence permit. 

Family Levy - now if you are an expatriate and you want your family member to live under your sponsorship, you have to pay this fee. Currently, there is a 400SR monthly (6,100 Php in current foreign exchange) which is 4800 SAR per year (73,285.00 Php). What is the benefit? Well, you get to be with them - that's it.

House Rental - these days real estate or house rental is getting higher as well because of the government's Vision 2030. The project looks promising, but it will probably gain positive yields in the coming years. Lots of demolitions are happening in different places for re-development purposes which increases demand for a new place for people who were living in those areas.

Our family in Corniche. Behind us
is Savola Tower HQ.

Children's School Tuition - this is one of the few obstacles each parent has to bear. Since most of the areas for re-development is still undergoing, (including some Philippine schools) other schools have increased their tuition fees. But don't worry, there are schools in the Philippines that offer lower tuition fees, but at the cost of them studying online. As a parent, it will be your decision to weight things to whichever is convenient to the family's finances. For us, we have considered the fact that we don't have to pay for transportation allowance (plus you don't have to negotiate with drivers) and food allowance as well. We are also uncertain if we are going to stay in Saudi Arabia because there are drastic changes in company policies and the government.  

Cost of Living - considering the above fees like family levy, house rental and children's school tuition, cost of living in Saudi Arabia for expatriates is now high. Basic produce or food cost is getting higher but bearable. 

If you think you have other things to consider that you think I should add, please comment down below. Once again, thank you and may God bless you all. 

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reference: MOI Family Levy - Arab Expatriates website.