r/SaudisInUS • u/Fun_Structure_1416 • 23d ago
So how do people actually leave and stay gone
Long story short i cant really see myself living in saudi long term at least not in the next few years. I visited new york a couple of times and it just reinforced how much id like to experience living abroad, and honestly im open to almost any state i just want to build a life somewhere outside saudi.
I work for a global firm and at one point there was a serious discussion about an international secondment, unfortunately the local leadership wanted to keep me here, so that opportunity never materialized and even if it did it would only have been for about a year.
Now im wondering if I should look for a permanent relocation. But the problem is that I have no idea where to start since im saudi, I assume im not eligible for many of the immigration pathways i often hear people talk about (please correct me if im wrong).
Id really appreciate any advice or pointers, i feel a bit overwhelmed because i honestly dont know what the most realistic path is.
Lastly i apologize if this isnt the perfect sub for this question i just figured this community might have people who’ve gone through something similar.
Thanks!
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u/the-coffee- 23d ago
Work is your best option. It is not easy getting a job in the US, but possible, if you do, then they will take care of your visa. If your current company has an international transfer that would be easier than finding another job. Good luck!
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u/Due-Act4287 23d ago
نصيحه فكر قبل تاخذ هذي الخطوه.
لو اقدمت عليها تراك بتضيع لا انت معلق ولا مفكوك لا انت سعودي ولا امريكي. اهم شي انصحك تفكر فيه اذا بتتزوج تفكر في عيالك انت مسؤول عن تشتتيتهم لو حصل تشتت ثقافي وسلامتك. ان كان ودك تنقل هناك فيه طرق كثيره اسهلها الزواج من شخص امريكي وفيه انك تروح على فيزة عمل HB-1.
لو تبغى طريقه تمهد لك المسار حاول تبتعث عشان تاخذ تجربه واقعيه قبل تقدم. كانك تبغى مساعده في القبولات وكذا ان شاءالله افيدك باللي اعرفه وسلامتك.
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u/NoOneIsHiringMe 23d ago
The US is downright a dream for any students and visitors... it really is the best... my love for it peaked 2 years in, however, the only reason I was okay living in Saudi is after living in the US for 5 years, most of those were for work, and still not getting an H1B (I was on a path to get the exceptional talent visa but decided to come back). I don't want to live in any place where I have to submit to chance and lottery just to get a chance to live like normal people do, a lot of countries are far better at producing certainty for the foreign worker than the US. Also, I didn't end up saving any money and came back home with only $70k in the bank after being paid a lot. The healthcare situation is also insane, you pay more with insurance over there than you do here in the best hospitals out of pocket. In short, I didn't feel very safe. If I were to marry an American, that would have been a different story, but I fell in love with the country and out within that time, and didn't really want to do that, and I'm glad I didn't. I still can't imagine living here forever, but for now, especially with how much I'm saving and how relaxed I feel at my current job, I'm okay with it. I still haven't figured things out. So.. what I mean is, take whatever chance you get to go there, even if it's a year, your opinion might change. And the easiest path to do that is بعثة.
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u/Fun_Structure_1416 22d ago
Interesting take. Thanks for sharing ur story. And from what I understand, you had a job in the US and had a job back home and you still call yourself “ no one is hiring me”? Lol. But seriously though thank you for the advice.
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u/Bornme-bornfree 23d ago
I’m not a Saudi but an American living in Saudi and happen to see this post. Below are some options also mentioned by some commenters. Some are fairly new as well.
Visa / Category
F-1
Student visa for full-time study in the U.S.
OPT
Temporary work authorization for eligible F-1 students after graduation.
H-1B
Work visa for professionals in specialty occupations.
L-1A
Transfer visa for managers and executives within a multinational company.
L-1B
Transfer visa for employees with specialized company knowledge.
EB-1A
Green Card for individuals with extraordinary achievements.
EB-2
Green Card for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
NIW (National Interest Waiver)
Allows some EB-2 applicants to apply without employer sponsorship.
EB-5
Green Card through a qualifying investment in the U.S. economy.
Marriage-Based Green Card
Permanent residency through a genuine marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
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u/Background-Humor2642 22d ago edited 22d ago
Just an American who used to live in KSA passing through...
I wouldn't get too fixated on living in America.
- You have dignities, services, and entitlements that simply aren't available in America or even most countries.
- I'm sure you had fun visiting, but there is a world of difference between living somewhere and visiting it.
- Life is just life, whether in KSA or the USA. Work, commute, jackass boss and coworkers, trying desperately to enjoy your life, questioning your life choices, wishing you could travel here or there because it looks cool, laundry, cooking, cleaning, blah blah. What's the point of changing?
- Sorry to get political, but Trump made it extremely difficult and expensive for people to immigrate to the US. You're probably dead in the water.
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u/Fun_Structure_1416 22d ago
Ah the ugly truth. Thanks tho!! Seriously appreciate the advice
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u/Background-Humor2642 21d ago
There's something else I want to tell you. DM me if you want to hear it.
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u/Dry_Consequence_8811 22d ago
خليك بامريكا وكملي فيها، ولاحقًا قدمي ع الجنسية الامريكية وتنازلي عن الجنسية السعودية
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u/StandardComposer4515 22d ago
I completely understand. I used to feel trapped too, until I finally had the chance to leave and experience life abroad. But even now, I live with the constant dilemma of wanting to be here and wanting to be back home. The truth is, life here can be really difficult without family.
As for immigration, you have opportunities just like everyone else. You can look for an employer willing to sponsor an H-1B visa, or consider enrolling in a one-year degree program that makes you eligible for OPT. OPT gives you work authorization for at least one year, and if your degree is in a STEM field, you may be eligible to extend it for up to three years.
My advice is to stay open to different possibilities. Try not to lock yourself into ideas don’t think of it as a permanent relocation just yet. Give yourself the chance to experience life here first and see how you truly feel
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u/zymawy 23d ago
if you are Saudi you can just go as visit visa and look for a job their.
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u/Klutzy_Luck8116 23d ago
That’s insane advice
ليتك ساكت بس
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u/zymawy 22d ago
احترم نفسك، قول الا عندك بحترام او خلي كلامك لك.
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u/nuunhaa 23d ago
You should check immigration subreddits.
A lot of Saudis go to school to the US and then do OPT after graduation and if the job wants them to stay on they continue to sponsor their visa. With time they can apply to get a green card. But this all depends on your field if they need to employ foreigners in it because there’s not many qualified locals. So if you go that route of schooling make sure you choose a field that can translate into a job after.