Job Discussion Forums

[nomad soul]

Saudi visas commonly mentioned throughout this forum include:

Business visa (AKA business visit visa)

This visa type is for foreign businessmen, sales consultants, investors, etc. --- those visiting Saudi Arabia short term for the sole purpose of doing business. For example, Al-Wasta Industries is looking to buy the latest widgets for their factories in KSA. Wonky Widgets in the US wants Al-Wasta's business and would like to send Bob, their top salesman, to KSA to pitch the product and close the deal. For Bob's business visa application, Wonky provides a letter for the Saudi consulate in Washington, DC confirming that Bob is an employee of the company and is being sent to Al-Wasta in KSA for business on behalf of Wonky Widgets. Bob receives no income/salary from Al-Wasta because he's on Wonky's payroll. Al-Wasta is the sponsor while Wonky Widgets is the employer. Bob is a short-term visitor and not a resident. Once he's done pitching his sales presentation to Al-Wasta, his visit in KSA is over.

As I recall from a friend on a biz visa a few years back, the Saudi consulate affixes the visa as well as a stamp that states "visitor" in the passport. However, this may not be the current situation. Anyway, the above is the actual intent and target visa applicant for this visa type. Obviously, teachers don't fall in this category, but some contracting companies may use these visas to get teachers quickly into KSA and making money for the company.

Work visit visa

This visa type is for foreigners visiting KSA for the purpose of doing some form of work on behalf of their employer. For example, Al-Wasta was impressed with Bob's sales pitch and subsequently, seals the deal with Wonky for 5000 widgets. Wonky now needs to send Larry, Curly, and Moe to Saudi Arabia to install the widgets, train Al-Wasta's employees, and monitor the units to ensure they're functioning properly. The Americans expect to stay in KSA for up to 6 months on work visit visas. Similar to Bob's visa application, Wonky provides a letter for the Saudi consulate in the US for each guy stating that they're employed by Wonky and will be visiting Al-Wasta in KSA for work purposes. The contract is between Wonky and Al-Wasta. The Saudi company provides flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and possibly daily meals for the duration of their work in KSA. However, Larry, Curly, and Moe continue to receive their pay from Wonky in their US bank accounts. As with Bob's situation, Al-Wasta is the sponsor and Wonky Widgets is their employer. Larry, Curly, and Moe are visitors and not legal residents. As such, they simply leave when their work in KSA is done.

BTW, airline pilots and flight crew members employed by non-Saudi airlines that use KSA as a hub also get this type of visa. Some Saudi companies tend to bring teachers -- independent contractors -- over on work visit visas for a short stint.

Employment visa/work visa

This visa type is for foreigners who have contracted directly with a Saudi employer for the purpose of providing some sort of service. For example, Shazam University needs English teachers for the upcoming academic year. The university hires teachers directly but also outsources some of its staffing needs through Ali Oop Educational Services, a private for-profit company. Sheba (UK) signs on with the university while Bubba (US) is hired by Ali Oop. Since both are independent contractors and not affiliated with any company in their home countries, Sheba and Bubba go through the process to obtain employment/work visas. (Note: Before they can apply for their visas, their Saudi employers send a block visa request to the Ministry of Labor for approval. The employers each obtain a visa authorization number and an electronic power of attorney authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.) Once the HR process is done in KSA, the job candidates complete the various employment visa application requirements in their home countries. Shazam U is indicated as the employer in Sheba's passport while Bubba's shows Ali Oop.

Employment/work visas expire 90 days after issuance. During that time, Sheba and Bubba go through another, yet short, medical exam once they arrive in KSA. Shazam U and Ali Oop will then apply for their resident IDs (i.e., iqama/muqeem). The ID verifies both expats as legally employed residents, which allows them to open a Saudi bank account for payroll direct deposit and get a loan or credit card. Unlike the visitor visa types, if Sheba or Bubba wants to leave KSA for a short vacation or over a long break, he/she has to get their employer's approval for an exit/reentry visa. (Some employers allow a multiple exit/reentry visa.) If Sheba or Bubba plans to leave KSA and not return, the iqama/muqeem is turned in to the employer or at the airport upon departure.

Although it sounds worrisome to have to obtain the employer's approval to leave the country, we don't see these types of complaints from posters in this forum. That said, it's still important to research potential employers before applying or accepting an offer. Some have a rep for being sketchy stinkers.

Government visit visa

To a much lesser extent, there's a government visit visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs only states that this visa is for "an individual to visit an (unregistered) government agency inside the Kingdom."

Whatever that means. Other posters might be familiar with the circumstances for getting this visa.
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[siologen]

Thanks NS.

This makes things much clearer, as to what to expect with each type of visa.

[psychedelicacy]

It's literally impossible to contact the Saudi Embassy visa section in London either by phone or their Contact Us messaging facility on their website (the latter just doesn't work).

So I'll ask here. My job starts in September. It's convenient for me to apply for my working visa in June (degree is attested and medical/police certificate will be done and legalised by then). Can I apply for my working visa in June? Or is that too early?

[hash]

[hash]

[siologen]

Can anyone confirm or deny whether the work visit visa furnishes one with any advantages above and beyond the biz visa? If I cannot open a bank account in Saudi with a work visit visa, and cannot go over to bahrain from time to time, and need the employers permission to exit, then presumably that means for the whole 6 months duration of the work visit visa, I have to stay in the KSA? I am sure there is a provision for if I was to fail the probation period, or I had enough after 3 months and wanted to go to bahrain and then home? Hope there is someone who has experience of this, or even better has worked on the two different visa types and can clarify?

Regards on.

[nomad soul]

[nomad soul]

[nomad soul]

[siologen]

[voyagerksa]

[scot47]

The teacher cannot choose what visa type(s)he wants. This is up to the employer/sponsor. Attempts to extract information from the Saudi Embassy or Consulate are guaranteed to end in failure. These organisations do not act as dispeners of information.

[siologen]

[nomad soul]

[siologen]

Thanks NS,

It is all clear now, I shall not ask again RE: the visa issue and money.

Regards on.