Confused About Consulting Opportunities as a Non-Saudi Student – Need Advice

Question

Hi everyone,
My name is Abdullah and I’m currently studying Finance at KFUPM. My university is ranked around 67 worldwide and considered the top in the MENA region. My brother Osama is studying Computer Science at Monash Malaysia, which is ranked 36 globally. He’s already finished his penultimate year and is now interning at a small tech company.

Both of us are very interested in starting careers in consulting. The problem is that almost all consulting internships in Saudi Arabia seem to require the candidate to be Saudi due to Saudization. From what we’ve seen, it looks nearly impossible to get an internship in the major firms if you’re not Saudi, and we’re worried the same will apply to full-time roles after graduation.

We really need advice from someone who has experience with the hiring process in Saudi or the region.

Is it true that non-Saudis basically can’t get consulting internships here?
Are full-time roles just as strict?
Is it realistic to consider Dubai instead?
And if so, how hard is it to apply to Dubai offices while studying in Saudi?
What should we be doing right now to stay competitive despite these restrictions?

Any guidance would really help us a lot. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hey Abdullah,

It’s actually true that many Saudi offices prioritize Saudis for internships and entry-level roles due to Saudization, so non-Saudis often face strong limits there.

Full-time roles can be slightly more flexible (from my experience and friends working there), especially if you have strong international experience or specialized skills, but competition is tough. Dubai is much more open for internships and consulting roles, and applying there from Saudi is realistic if you start early, network, and tailor your CV for the region. Right now, focus on building strong consulting skills: case prep, internships (even remote or in strategy/finance), leadership experiences, and any international exposure. Networking with alumni in Dubai or regional offices can also help a lot.

Best, Alessa :)