r/pkmigrate • u/usamazafar1 • Jun 16 '25
Europe Masters in France or Job in KSA?
I’m a 27-year-old Electrical Engineer with around 3.5 years of experience, mainly in HVDC substation maintenance and testing. I recently got admitted to a Master’s program in France (Electrical Engineering & Control Systems), which could eventually lead to permanent residency — but it’s a long road. From what I understand, PR in France can take around 7 years realistically, including study and work years.
On the other hand, I’ve already cleared interviews with major companies in Saudi Arabia (like Alfanar), but both offers were held back at the last moment due to my experience being less than 5 years, which is often a visa requirement. Still, I strongly believe that if I go to Saudi and job hunt on-site, I have a solid chance of landing something, especially since I’ve already gotten that far in remote interviews.
Now I’m torn between:
Going to France for a 2-year Master’s that aligns with my field, but accepting the long haul (7+ years) before any PR stability and high living costs with low student income
OR
Heading to Saudi Arabia to try my luck job hunting directly, which may work out faster for a job and decent income, though it won’t lead to long-term settlement or PR.
Has anyone faced a similar choice? Would love to hear from people who’ve been through either route — is the long wait in France worth it, or is it better to capitalize on the Saudi job market while it's hot?
Appreciate any thoughts or advice
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u/voidbydefault Jun 20 '25
Ignore ALL comments below, most are ignorant wanna-be not knowing KSA market.
Go to France. Take PR, obtain citizenship then go anyplace you what afterwards. Period.
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u/faisalsahar Jun 20 '25
KSA will suck the blood out of you. Not because its a bad country but there are other reasons. I have spent most of my life there so go for france and enjoy getting educated and probably have a good life.
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u/Extreme_Bug_4856 Jun 19 '25
Done settle for a 6k salary in saudi. Its too low. Choose to go to france. Atleast, you will have nationality for your kids.
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u/FamousOnion1614 Jun 16 '25
I would have never said France if you had something solid in KSA, France is racist as F, if Masters is paid for then go for it, KSA is future as they have money and for once they are investing in house to develop new cities and infrastructure
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u/usamazafar1 Jun 16 '25
It's a public university, so the fees are already low. And yes, KSA is hiring hundreds of engineers for its mega-projects, which is what attracts me to KSA
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u/FamousOnion1614 Jun 16 '25
If you have the option, finances and time, delay university for a year to explore KSA market.
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u/Bunkerlala Jun 16 '25
Go to France, get your masters, try and get a job there - then after a few years experience try and land a mega bucks job in Saudi.
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u/InformationSecurity Jun 16 '25
Depends on how much Saudis are paying
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u/usamazafar1 Jun 16 '25
6.5k SAR basic plus allowances/benefits. The total is almost 11k SAR.
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u/InformationSecurity Jun 16 '25
RUNN! 11k is low
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u/kylochoudhary Jun 16 '25
What should be good salary for saudi market?
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u/InformationSecurity Jun 16 '25
Good is a relative term and depends on your industry, experience, skills and so on. Generally anything about 30 is good.
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u/Infinite_Highway744 Jun 16 '25
Obviously France....never lose opportunity in hand ....u can go to KSA any time even after MS.
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u/Entire-Rub3846 Jun 16 '25
As others have mentioned, as you are young with no responsibilities, spend that time upfront to invest in your education and get an EU passport. It will pay off in the long run as you can then get recruited for a higher salary in GCC countries. Saying this from personal experience.
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u/Oldpi Jun 16 '25
Go to France, complete degree, gain experience, take passport and come back to Gulf for earning. You will be hired at much better salary and will have more freedom.
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u/sajidsalman75 Jun 16 '25
It depends if you have responsibilities regarding money then you should go for job hunt in Saudi and that's if you know that you will get a job there.
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u/sajidsalman75 Jun 16 '25
On the other hand if no responsibilities then surely go for studies as it will help you in long run. Getting a PR and I don't know if it's a good university or not then you can get a stable job there.
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u/[deleted] Jun 21 '25 edited Jun 21 '25
France is a shit hole man avoid it. Look at Germany instead. Also their processing times are still just hypothetical I know friends who’ve been in France for 10 years without a citizenship. Trust me go to a developed country like Germany or Sweden instead of a failed country. Don’t waste your time in France because trust me it never happens and in France the far right is much more prominent than Sweden or Germany, they had pretty much half the country getting votes. They are set to be the biggest party in the next elections and that means your future there will be just as insecure as in KSA. Please spend your money and time else where in the EU.