Relocating to Saudi Arabia With Your Family: Schooling, Documents and the First 90 Days

Start with a 90-day timeline, not a to-do list

Most families arrive with a cluster of urgent tasks and no clear order. A timeline helps you decide what must be done before departure, what can wait until you land, and what depends on your employer or school. Build a simple three-column plan: before you fly, first 30 days, and days 31 to 90.

Before departure, focus on documents, school applications and temporary housing. In the first 30 days, prioritise residency paperwork, bank setup and school confirmation. From day 31 to 90, settle into permanent housing, complete health registrations and build routines for the family.

• Before you fly: attested documents, school shortlist, temporary accommodation.
• First 30 days: residency steps, bank account, school enrolment confirmation.
• Days 31 to 90: permanent housing, health check-ups, family routines.
• Keep a shared digital folder for every document and receipt.

Document attestation: get the order right

Document attestation is often the slowest part of relocating to Saudi Arabia with family, and the order matters. Typically, documents are notarised, then authenticated by the foreign ministry in your home country, and then attested by the Saudi embassy or consulate. Some documents may also need translation into Arabic by an approved translator.

Requirements vary by country and by document type, so check the Saudi embassy website in your country and your employer's instructions before you start. Do not assume one certificate covers everything. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, school records and vaccination records are commonly requested.

• List every document your employer and school may ask for.
• Notarise first, then home-country foreign ministry, then Saudi embassy.
• Use an approved translator for Arabic versions where required.
• Keep both digital scans and at least two paper copies of each document.
• Check official Saudi government and embassy sources for current rules.

School enrolment windows and what to prepare

School places in major cities can fill quickly, and enrolment windows differ between international schools, private national schools and community schools. Start researching schools as soon as your move is confirmed, even before you have a final address. Many schools publish their admission timelines on their websites and accept applications months in advance.

Prepare a school application pack early: passport copies, previous school reports, transfer certificates, vaccination records and attested birth certificates. Some schools require an assessment or interview, which can often be done online. Ask about curriculum options, transport, uniform costs and whether fees are paid termly or annually.

• Shortlist three to five schools in your expected neighbourhood.
• Check admission deadlines and assessment formats on each school website.
• Prepare reports, transfer certificates and vaccination records.
• Ask about waiting lists, sibling priority and transport routes.
• Confirm fee schedules and payment terms in writing.

Housing: temporary first, permanent later

Avoid committing to a long lease before you have seen the neighbourhood at different times of day. Many families book serviced accommodation or a short-term rental for the first month, then choose permanent housing once they understand commute times, school routes and local amenities.

When evaluating permanent housing, consider distance to school and workplace, traffic at peak hours, building maintenance, utility setup and whether the landlord requires a salary certificate or employer letter. Ask what is included in the rent and what you must arrange yourself.

• Book short-term housing for the first 30 days.
• Visit shortlisted neighbourhoods on weekdays and weekends.
• Check commute times to school and office at peak hours.
• Ask about utility connections, maintenance and furnishing.
• Clarify what documents the landlord requires before signing.

What to set up before your first payslip

Cash flow can feel tight between arrival and your first salary payment. Plan for temporary accommodation, school deposits, transport, furniture and everyday expenses. Keep a buffer for unexpected costs such as document translation or medical checks.

Open a local bank account as early as your residency status allows, and ask your employer about salary transfer requirements. Set up mobile banking and save digital copies of your employment contract and residency documents. If your family arrives after you, prepare a welcome pack with SIM cards, transport options and a list of nearby clinics and pharmacies.

• Create a first-90-days budget covering housing, school and transport.
• Keep a cash buffer for deposits and document-related costs.
• Ask your employer about bank account and salary transfer requirements.
• Set up mobile banking and digital document storage.
• Prepare a practical welcome pack for arriving family members.

Health, insurance and family registrations

Check what medical insurance your employer provides and whether it covers dependents. Confirm which clinics and hospitals are in-network, and how to register family members. Keep vaccination records accessible, especially for school enrolment.

Register with a local clinic soon after arrival, and note emergency numbers and pharmacy locations near your home. If you have ongoing prescriptions, bring enough medication for the transition and a copy of your prescription.

• Confirm dependent medical insurance coverage with your employer.
• Identify in-network clinics and hospitals near your home.
• Register family members with a local clinic early.
• Keep vaccination and prescription records in your document folder.

Settling the family in the first 90 days

The first three months are about routines. Map the school run, locate grocery stores, parks and community centres, and introduce children to neighbours and classmates. Adults benefit from joining community groups, gyms or professional networks.

Expect an adjustment period. Language, weather and social norms may feel unfamiliar at first. A simple weekly routine, clear family roles and open communication help everyone settle. If your employer offers an orientation programme, attend it and ask questions early.

• Establish a weekly routine for school, work and family time.
• Explore nearby parks, clinics, groceries and community centres.
• Join community or professional groups to build a network.
• Attend employer orientation and ask about family support services.

Common planning mistakes to avoid

Many families underestimate document timelines, assume school places are guaranteed, or sign a lease before seeing the area. Others forget to budget for school deposits, furniture and transport before the first salary arrives.

Rules on visas, labour law and localisation vary and can change. Always verify requirements with official Saudi government sources, your employer and your school. Treat online forums as tips, not rules.

• Do not leave attestation to the last weeks before departure.
• Do not assume a school place without written confirmation.
• Do not sign a long lease before visiting the neighbourhood.
• Do not rely on a single source for visa or residency rules.
• Do not skip the first-90-days budget.

How TalentScan can support your move

As you prepare, TalentScan can help you tailor your CV for Saudi roles, practise interview questions and set up GCC job alerts. Its ATS CV scoring and job-fit reports are useful for applications, while the Telegram resume bot makes updates easy on the go. Use it alongside official sources and your employer's guidance as you plan your family relocation.