Yemen guide- find local expat clubs, travel tips & more

For thousands of years, Yemen has been at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The Romans knew this country as ‘Arabia Felix’, due to how fertile the land was.

The modern Republic of Yemen was born in 1990, when opposing communities merged after years of clashes. But since unification of the North Yemen and Communist South Yemen people, the country has been slowly modernizing and opening up to the rest of the world. But it’s important to remember that most of the land still retains much of its tribal character.

If you are (or plan to be) an expat living in Yemen, please find below a list of expat clubs, schools, general links for women living in Yemen, country information and more...

Expat Clubs
Schools
Local News Sources
Country Information
Resident and Work visa information
How to get a driving license
Where to live and about the accomodation types
Healthcare information including Hospitals and Insurance

Expat Clubs

There are no expat meet up clubs as such in Albania and most expats communicate online through websites such as ExpatWoman.com.

International Schools

Sanaa International School

GSI Sanaa International School is a private non-profit institution that opened in September of 1971 and offers a high quality education in the English language for elementary and secondary students. The warm and welcoming school community make it an ideal place to receive a quality education from QSI.

Curriculum: Quality Schools International curriculum

Address: Sanaa International School, P.O Box 2002, Sanaa, Yemen

Tel: +967 1 370191

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.qsi.org

Local News in English

Yemen Times: www.yementimes.com

Saba: www.sabanews.net/en

Country Information

Full name: Republic of Yemen

Location: Middle East

Population: cc. 24+ million

Capital City: Sana'a

Other Important Cities: Taizz, Al Hudaydah, Aden

Currency: 1 Yemeni Riyal = 100 fils

Language(s): Arabic

Religion(s): Islam

Calling Code: +967

Internet TLD: .ye

Electricity: 220/230V 50Hz

Emergency Numbers: 199

Yemen is situated on the strategically important south western part of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and lies between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Over two thirds of the land is unpopulated, and the population that is there is concentrated in the mountains and on the western coast.

While the dominant ethnic group is primarily Arab, there are Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans and a large number of Somalians.

Yemen has a wealth of natural resources, ranging from oil, fish and marbe to gold, lead and fertile soil.

The country is one of the most arable spots on the Arabian Peninsula, as the highlands collect wet air and rain fall blown in from nearby seas.

Embassy Information

Use this website for a full list of the local embassies in Yemen...

Website: www.embassyworld.org

Residents Visa and Work Permit information

It is necessary for non-Yemeni passport holders to obtain an entry visa to go to Yemen whether the trip is for tourism or business.

See below for the main types relevant to expats. Alternatively, you can visit here: www.yemen.embassyhomepage.com

Residency

These permits are issued by the Passport and Immigration Authority, which is a department of the Ministry of Interior. In order to obtain a resident permit, expats must be sponsored by a Yemen-based individual or organization.

Marriage

Provided for a lengthy period prior to civil partnership wedding based on a proven relationship with a citizen or resident of Yemen.

Business

A Yemeni business visa is for engaging in short term commerce in Yemen. You will need:

Valid passport with 6 months validity
Completed application form
Passport photos
Valid resident visa and one copy
Current bank statement and one copy
Proof of travel insurance coverage
Business references and/or invitation from Yemeni company
Proof of Yemeni hotel reservation and airline booking reservation

Accommodation

While Yemeni architecture is somewhat the most fascinating in the Arab world, housing stock in general tends to be of poor quality. There are two basic housing types; houses of reed, thatch and mud brick, which are largely found in coastal regions. Houses of stone and mud brick are more frequently found in the highlands. Throughout Yemen, access to fresh water and hygienic sewage disposal is poor. Houses with running water, internal sewage systems and electricity remain the exception in most parts of the country, especially in rural areas. For a one bedroom apartment to rent per month, it costs on average around 35,000 riyals in the city center, and around 20,000 riyals outside main populated areas.

Driving License

A large network of paved roads exist in Yemen, connecting all the main cities and most of the smaller ones. And if driving doesn’t take your fancy, there are several public and private corporations providing high quality land transport. Most of the road and highways that cross elevated terrain are mostly smooth and present little risk. However, it’s best to be cautious and maneuver safely. It’s also best to be prepared for any defensive driving techniques you may have to perform while driving in Yemen. Expats should prepare themselves for the possibility of a situation where you have to react evasively, think quickly and keep from harm at the hands of other drivers.

Healthcare

Despite significant progress and effort in Yemen to expand and improve the country’s healthcare system over the past decade, it still remains severely underdeveloped. It is advisable to seek private health insurance as an expat.

Insurance Companies