The Middle East oil and gas industry, producing over 30% of global crude oil, faces a skilled labor shortage, prompting companies to offer visa sponsorship for roles like petroleum engineers and drilling supervisors. With salaries ranging from $3,500 to $9,000 per month, these jobs attract international talent. This guide details 15 leading companies hiring foreign workers in 2026, covering roles, salaries, visa options, and application steps, using government-verified resources.
Why Oil & Gas Jobs Are In-Demand in the Middle East
The region’s oil and gas sector, driven by projects like the UAE’s Ruwais Derivatives Park and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, projects a 5% job growth by 2030 (BLS, 2025). Companies like Saudi Aramco and ADNOC sponsor H-1B and regional work visas to fill roles in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, seeking expertise in drilling, safety, and engineering.
Key Job Roles and Salaries
The following roles, classified under SOC codes 17-2171 (Petroleum Engineers) and 47-5011 (Drilling Supervisors), offer salaries between $3,500 and $9,000 per month with visa sponsorship:
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Petroleum Engineer
Designs extraction systems for oil and gas. Requires a degree in petroleum engineering.
Salary: $5,000–$9,000/month. -
Drilling Supervisor
Oversees drilling operations and safety. Needs 5–7 years of experience.
Salary: $4,500–$8,000/month. -
Process Safety Engineer
Ensures safety compliance in refineries. Requires a degree in engineering and 8+ years of experience.
Salary: $4,000–$7,500/month. -
Maintenance Technician
Repairs and maintains drilling equipment. Needs technical certification or 3–5 years of experience.
Salary: $3,500–$6,000/month. -
Geoscientist
Analyzes subsurface data for exploration. Requires a degree in geosciences.
Salary: $5,000–$8,500/month.
Top 15 Oil & Gas Companies Hiring with Visa Sponsorship
The following companies, leaders in the Middle East oil and gas sector, are actively recruiting foreign workers in 2026, based on hiring trends and regional projects:
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Saudi Aramco
Location: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Roles: Petroleum Engineer, Process Safety Engineer
Salary: $5,000–$9,000/month
Visa: Saudi Work Visa, H-1B -
ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company)
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Roles: Geoscientist, Drilling Supervisor
Salary: $4,500–$8,500/month
Visa: UAE Work Visa, H-1B -
QatarEnergy
Location: Doha, Qatar
Roles: Process Safety Engineer, Maintenance Technician
Salary: $4,000–$7,500/month
Visa: Qatar Work Visa -
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)
Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait
Roles: Petroleum Engineer, Geoscientist
Salary: $5,000–$8,500/month
Visa: Kuwait Work Visa -
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO)
Location: Muscat, Oman
Roles: Drilling Supervisor, Maintenance Technician
Salary: $4,000–$7,000/month
Visa: Oman Work Visa -
Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco)
Location: Manama, Bahrain
Roles: Process Safety Engineer, Petroleum Engineer
Salary: $4,500–$8,000/month
Visa: Bahrain Work Visa -
Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC)
Location: Dubai, UAE
Roles: Maintenance Technician, Geoscientist
Salary: $3,500–$6,500/month
Visa: UAE Work Visa -
Oxy (Occidental Petroleum)
Location: Muscat, Oman; Abu Dhabi, UAE
Roles: Petroleum Engineer, Drilling Supervisor
Salary: $5,000–$8,500/month
Visa: Oman/UAE Work Visa -
TotalEnergies
Location: Doha, Qatar; Abu Dhabi, UAE
Roles: Geoscientist, Process Safety Engineer
Salary: $4,500–$8,000/month
Visa: Qatar/UAE Work Visa -
Shell Qatar
Location: Doha, Qatar
Roles: Drilling Supervisor, Petroleum Engineer
Salary: $4,500–$8,000/month
Visa: Qatar Work Visa -
BP (British Petroleum)
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE; Muscat, Oman
Roles: Geoscientist, Maintenance Technician
Salary: $4,000–$7,500/month
Visa: UAE/Oman Work Visa -
Aramco Gulf Operations Company (AGOC)
Location: Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia
Roles: Process Safety Engineer, Petroleum Engineer
Salary: $4,500–$8,500/month
Visa: Saudi Work Visa -
Petrofac
Location: Sharjah, UAE; Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Roles: Drilling Supervisor, Maintenance Technician
Salary: $3,500–$7,000/month
Visa: UAE/Saudi Work Visa -
TechnipFMC
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE; Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Roles: Petroleum Engineer, Process Safety Engineer
Salary: $4,500–$8,000/month
Visa: UAE/Saudi Work Visa -
Saipem
Location: Dubai, UAE; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Roles: Drilling Supervisor, Geoscientist
Salary: $4,500–$8,500/month
Visa: UAE/Saudi Work Visa
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for these jobs with visa sponsorship, candidates must meet:
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering, geosciences, or related field for engineers; technical certification for technicians.
- Experience: 3–8 years in oil and gas or related fields, with verifiable work history.
- Language Skills: English proficiency (IELTS 5.0–6.0 or equivalent) for technical and safety communication.
- Skills: Proficiency in industry tools like PETREL, Eclipse, or safety certifications (e.g., NEBOSH, IWCF).
- Health and Character: Clean criminal record and medical clearance for visa applications.
Visa Options for Oil & Gas Jobs
Non-US citizens need a work visa for Middle East roles. Key options include:
- Saudi Work Visa: For skilled roles, sponsored by employers like Saudi Aramco, valid for 1–2 years. Requires a Labor Market Test.
- UAE Work Visa: For roles in UAE, valid for 2 years, renewable. Requires employer sponsorship and a health check.
- H-1B Visa: For U.S.-based firms operating in the Middle East, valid for 3 years (extendable to 6). Requires a Labor Condition Application from the US Department of Labor.
Explore visa details on the US Department of State website for U.S.-related sponsorship or regional government sites.
Application Process for Oil & Gas Jobs
Securing a visa-sponsored job involves:
- Research Opportunities: Use job boards like Rigzone or company career pages (e.g., Saudi Aramco, ADNOC) to find roles offering sponsorship. Search “oil and gas visa sponsorship.”
- Prepare Documents: Create a resume (1–2 pages) and cover letter, highlighting skills (e.g., drilling, safety protocols) and visa needs. Include certifications like IWCF or NEBOSH.
- Apply: Submit applications via company websites or agencies like Brunel, specifying sponsorship requirements.
- Interview: Prepare for technical questions on drilling techniques or safety compliance and behavioral questions on teamwork.
- Secure a Job Offer: Obtain a contract and visa sponsorship documents from an approved employer.
- Apply for a Visa: Submit job offer, qualifications, health checks, and police clearances via the employer’s HR or regional embassies. Processing takes 1–3 months for regional visas, 1–3 months for H-1B.
- Relocate: Complete onboarding, including safety training and regional compliance.
Key Responsibilities
- Petroleum Engineer: Designs drilling and extraction systems for efficiency.
- Drilling Supervisor: Manages drilling operations and ensures safety compliance.
- Process Safety Engineer: Implements safety protocols in refineries and rigs.
- Maintenance Technician: Repairs and maintains drilling and production equipment.
- Geoscientist: Analyzes geological data for exploration and reservoir management.
Benefits of Oil & Gas Jobs
- Competitive Salaries: $3,500–$9,000/month, often with housing allowances.
- Visa Sponsorship: Employers may cover visa fees ($500–$2,000 for regional visas).
- Career Growth: Pathways to senior roles like project manager or reservoir engineer.
- Job Stability: High demand ensures consistent employment.
- Expat Benefits: Includes accommodation, travel allowances, and family sponsorship in some cases.
Tips for Success
- Target Key Countries: Focus on Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar for the most opportunities.
- Certifications: Obtain NEBOSH, IWCF, or BOSIET certifications ($200–$1,000) for competitive advantage.
- Network: Connect with recruiters on LinkedIn or attend industry events like ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi.
- Verify Employers: Ensure companies are registered with regional labor authorities or USCIS to avoid scams.
- Learn Regional Regulations: Familiarize yourself with local safety and labor laws for employability.
Statistics on Oil & Gas Jobs
Job Vacancies
In 2025, over 18,000 oil and gas jobs in the Middle East offered visa sponsorship, with 60% in Saudi Arabia and UAE (GulfTalent, 2025).
Salary Ranges
- Petroleum Engineer: $5,000–$9,000/month
- Drilling Supervisor: $4,500–$8,000/month
- Process Safety Engineer: $4,000–$7,500/month
Visa Processing Times
Saudi/UAE/Qatar Work Visa: 1–3 months; H-1B visa: 1–3 months; EB-3 visa: 6–18 months (USCIS, 2025).
Demand Growth
Oil and gas jobs are projected to grow 5% by 2030, driven by new projects and infrastructure (BLS, 2025).
