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Post by lotusgal on Mar 15, 2023 11:21:36 GMT
Hey Peeps,
Hope all is well?
So, obvs, I will have to wait a full month until I have my first months wages. So, in order to not be left stuck with no money, what would the recommendations be with regards to day to day expenses for the first month whilst settling into camp.
How much do you think would be a good idea to have with me when I first get to Saudi? Whats the local currency on the compound? Should I have USD or SAR?
Thank you in advance for your help.
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Mar 15, 2023 12:30:43 GMT
Hey Peeps, Hope all is well? So, obvs, I will have to wait a full month until I have my first months wages. So, in order to not be left stuck with no money, what would the recommendations be with regards to day to day expenses for the first month whilst settling into camp. How much do you think would be a good idea to have with me when I first get to Saudi? Whats the local currency on the compound? Should I have USD or SAR? Thank you in advance for your help. Assuming you plan to just be work and home for the first month, that you are happy with the company provided kitchen bits etc then I’d say whatever you spend on groceries/toiletries/phone in a month, plus 50%, should do it. Restocking all your staples and cleaning products is costly. Sar are your best bet. |
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Post by abah on Mar 25, 2023 12:33:22 GMT
Hey Peeps, Hope all is well? So, obvs, I will have to wait a full month until I have my first months wages. So, in order to not be left stuck with no money, what would the recommendations be with regards to day to day expenses for the first month whilst settling into camp. How much do you think would be a good idea to have with me when I first get to Saudi? Whats the local currency on the compound? Should I have USD or SAR? Thank you in advance for your help. o. All is good. I have started from first week of March, 2023. I got good currency exchange rate at Dammam airport. I would recommend to get around 1000 USD converted to SAR at Dammam airport. This would be more than sufficient for a month. As a back-up I kept my international credit card with me. Inside the Dhahran camp or most places outside the camp international credit card works well. |
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Post by aj83uk on Mar 25, 2023 14:14:41 GMT
abahFinally someone who has recently joined and is on camp. Where did you fly in from? How is it going for you? Tell us everything. Some of us on here are due to arrive in the coming weeks/month. Expectation v reality? How is it on camp? What status are you on? How’s the housing situation? Any advice and recommendations? I’ve read your advice about how much cash to bring and the stc card situation. Take us through the first few days, do they drop you off and leave you to your own or is it properly planned? Hows the bus situation to work or did you hire a car? Appreciate a lot of questions here but as much as you can tell us would be beneficial.
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ao
Member
Posts: 29
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Post by ao on Apr 12, 2023 13:33:27 GMT
o. All is good. I have started from first week of March, 2023. I got good currency exchange rate at Dammam airport. I would recommend to get around 1000 USD converted to SAR at Dammam airport. This would be more than sufficient for a month. As a back-up I kept my international credit card with me. Inside the Dhahran camp or most places outside the camp international credit card works well. Hi, Should I bring enough money to cover costs for visa applications for my family? I plan to apply for my family's visas during the first month of my stay. |
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Post by StarboyX on Apr 12, 2023 19:30:01 GMT
Bring upto $5000 USD cash, until your sorted with residency (Iqama), bank account and 1st salary.
Saudi doesn't have exchanges like other GCC countries, so either exchange some at the airport when arriving or:
1. Ask anyone to exchange you USD for Saudi Riyal, as it's pegged: $1 USD = $3.75
2. If you go to the local groceries stores on Aramco Camp, buy a pack of gum, drink, etc, with $100 USD, they'll give you change back in SAR.
I did this for months when I arrived here 6 years ago, and I've met others who've also done the same.
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ao
Member
Posts: 29
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Post by ao on Apr 12, 2023 20:52:14 GMT
Bring upto $5000 USD cash, until your sorted with residency (Iqama), bank account and 1st salary. Saudi doesn't have exchanges like other GCC countries, so either exchange some at the airport when arriving or: 1. Ask anyone to exchange you USD for Saudi Riyal, as it's pegged: $1 USD = $3.75 2. If you go to the local groceries stores on Aramco Camp, buy a pack of gum, drink, etc, with $100 USD, they'll give you change back in SAR. I did this for months when I arrived here 6 years ago, and I've met others who've also done the same. Thanks for your reply. How much (roughly) does a visa for a family member cost in total? |
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Apr 13, 2023 5:30:21 GMT
Bring upto $5000 USD cash, until your sorted with residency (Iqama), bank account and 1st salary. Saudi doesn't have exchanges like other GCC countries, so either exchange some at the airport when arriving or: 1. Ask anyone to exchange you USD for Saudi Riyal, as it's pegged: $1 USD = $3.75 2. If you go to the local groceries stores on Aramco Camp, buy a pack of gum, drink, etc, with $100 USD, they'll give you change back in SAR. I did this for months when I arrived here 6 years ago, and I've met others who've also done the same. Thanks for your reply. How much (roughly) does a visa for a family member cost in total? Based on us last year, 2000 Sar to apply for the yellow slip, regardless of how many dependents. Then it’s 4800 per person for the iqama, which you pay once they are here. You can pay the iqama in installments after the first year. Lump sum for first issue. |
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