Job Discussion Forums

Imdramayu · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 394 Location: South Korea

Is the No Objection Letter (NOC) still alive & kicking in KSA? For university English teachers, is it difficult to acquire from one's employer? Does it hurt the employer to issue them? Under which circumstances is an employer more likely to issue one?

Im

casio · Joined: 01 Mar 2012 Posts: 18 Location: KSA

According to the law you do not need a letter of no objection. Some larger organizations however still request that you produce one from your former employer.

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

PeterParvo · Joined: 18 Dec 2011 Posts: 103

And if you don't get it? What's the recourse? I have heard all one has to do is leave the country and get a new visa, but that seems too simple. I've also heard one has to be out for six to twelve months. Does anyone have any experience with this, or is it all speculation?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

If it is refused you HAVE NO LEGAL REMEDY. If you come back without one, you face the possibility of deportation.Some say that 12 months is the "waiting period". Others say 24 months.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Traditionally one just "washed" one's passport and got a new one. This may become more difficult with eye scans and such...

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Even getting a new passport is not guaranteed to work. If the old employer finds out what you have done,he can make things very hot indeed for you if you return to another employer.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The official line from Riyadh is that the NOC is "not a legal requirement but may be an administrative requirement"

That is another way of saying, "You can't fight City Hall."

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Scot... have you heard of any employers making problems for those that washed passports? I know of lots of people that did it successfully, but none who had their previous employer make waves. Perhaps the people that I know were better at not burning the bridges. Cool

I would be more concerned about the modern technology, such as eye scans, making it difficult or impossible.

VS

Spinoza · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Saudi Arabia

Imdramayu · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 394 Location: South Korea

I got my new work visa already without needing a NOC. I'll try to score a Service Letter in lieu of the NOC.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

To VS

Yes I know of several people who got in DEEP trouble for coming back to another employer without getting a NOC

I spent 17 yaesr in KSA You spent ZERO !

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

That's why I asked you big guy... Laughing

I'm going by the fact that no one has been posting here about a problem. And I know a dozen or more people who have done it.

At least one of them is a "personal friend of ours" and has done it 2 or 3 times. Cool

VS

johnslat · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:10 pm Post subject:

I must admit that I never knew or even heard of anyone who got into trouble for that, either. But I did know at least four people who came back with a washed passport and no NOC.

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Maybe my employers in KSA were more wrathful and vexatious then ! Back in 1991 I was working in KSA for a contractor. He could not renew the contract with Petromin so could not offer us jobs. I fvixed up a job with the airline - conditional on getting a NOC. I did not get one and left KSA to work elsewhere.

As it turned out I came back with the airline as an instructor in 1996. It was a good hob !