Job Discussion Forums

passion88 · Joined: 02 May 2018 Posts: 2

I received an offer to work at a university in Riyadh. I accepted the offer and sent the company the required documents. I told them that I wanted to have the visa processed in Beijing because that is where I am working now. I am a US citizen and I am sure that U.S. citizens can process a work visa at the KSA Embassy in Beijing.

Yesterday, I was told that my visa was approved and that it was sent to the KSA Embassy in D.C. I was surprised because I told the company that I wanted it processed in Beijing. They also told me that I would have to send my passport to their agent in D.C. along with the visa application package or go there myself. I am afraid of the risk of both options so I asked them why couldn't they have sent the visa to Beijing but they have not responded. I then sent the same message to the recruitment agency and they haven't responded either. I am sure that the answer to this question is simple but now I am skeptical.

Of course I should be worried if they are not replying to a simple question but what are the reasons they wouldn't answer such a simple question and why would they not tell me upfront where they were processing my visa after I told them about the KSA Embassy in Beijing..IMO?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

how experienced are you in the Middle East? This sounds to me like a classic case of ignoring "why" questions. Your visa is in DC. You can either go there and get it and follow up on the job offered to you and start learning how things are done in Saudi, or you can stay in Beijing and let the opportunity pass.

Note that you assumed that just because you told them what you wanted, this would somehow overrule what they were prepared to do... with no consultation with them.

They aren't answering your "why" question because doing so has no bearing at all on the outcome for either of you. Even if they give and you understand the reason, you still have to go to DC. No use hoping for them to suddenly email and say, our apologies, we messed up, your visa in DC has been cancelled and a new one has been issued to Beijing.

That is not going to happen.

Not only is Friday the start of the weekend but Ramadan starts this week. You have pretty much hit the worst time of the Hijri year to get anything official done.

"Of course I should be worried if they are not replying to a simple question" - you aren't going to survive long here if that worries you because it's a regular occurrence of life in the Kingdom.

"Why would they not tell me upfront where they were processing my visa after I told them about the KSA Embassy in Beijing" - because they operate with different cultural rules to you which you don't yet understand.

Thomasmc89 · Joined: 26 Sep 2017 Posts: 22

I don't get why some people are so needlessly hostile on this forum.

passion88, did they respond in the end?

p.s.
"Of course I should be worried if they are not replying to a simple question" - you aren't going to survive long here if that worries you because it's a regular occurrence of life in the Kingdom.

Don't worry, you'll survive perfectly fine here.

voyagerksa · Joined: 29 Apr 2015 Posts: 140

sheikhitnow · Joined: 29 Dec 2017 Posts: 32

"you're" three times instead of the correct "your." One of many errors that EFLers commonly commit.

hash · Joined: 17 Dec 2014 Posts: 456 Location: Wadi Jinn

.
Let me analyze your 1st paragraph for you. It might help your communication skills in the job search. Red text is direct quotation from your posting.

1- …and sent the company the required documents. Who is the “company”? If you mean the university that hired you, you should know that a uni is never referred to as a “company”. Rule #1 – get your terminology straight.

2- I told them that I wanted to have the visa processed in Beijing because that is where I am working now. Really? You “told” them? I thought you said you asked them a simple question. Doesn’t sound like a simple question to me. To me, it sounds like a strident demand. That’s probably one reason they haven’t responded (and won’t). You never really asked a question at all.

Also, they know where you’re “working now” and that there’s a KSA Embassy in Beijing…..you really didn’t have to add all that. It sounds, if you don’t mind my saying so, a little condescending. KSA has been hiring ESL teachers from China for decades now….your case isn’t particularly unusual.

3- I am sure that U.S. citizens can process a work visa at the KSA Embassy in Beijing. Really?? How can you possibly be “sure”? Did you call the KSA Embassy in Beijing and specifically ask that question? If you didn’t you’re just guessing.

The remainder of your posting continues along these same lines but one paragraph is enough to show you how you’re coming across.

Two vital pieces of information you’ve got to get clear from the get-go:

1- What type of VISA is going to be issued to you?
2- Who exactly is your employer which is to say your sponsor? Who actually PAYS you?

Good luck.

.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Passion 88 made one post. She has not been back

passion88 · Joined: 02 May 2018 Posts: 2

I actually ignored most of the comments or "analyses" posted because many of you ignorantly assumed what must of happened instead of asking for additional information about what actually happened.

The company actually asked me where I wanted to have the visa processed and I gave them all of the information about the KSA Embassy in Beijing("Duh"). After that, I even sent them an email asking them how long will it take for me to get the visa in Beijing and they responded very quickly to that question saying that the entire process would take 2 months. At this, point after two emails about Beijing, the company never told me that they were processing the visa in DC. A week later, I received an email from the company telling me that my visa was approved and that it was sent to D.C.

The company has admitted that it was a mistake and that it was MOFA's fault.

"It is an error on the part of some employee in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we shall request change of venue again and advise you soonest possible.,
Regards"

Please do not comment on any of my posts with illogical assumptions that are full of sarcasm. If you are not sure, ask as many questions as possible and then give your opinions.

In the heat of the moment · Joined: 22 May 2015 Posts: 393 Location: Italy

"Please do not comment on any of my posts with illogical assumptions that are full of sarcasm. If you are not sure, ask as many questions as possible and then give your opinions."

You must be new here.

Thomasmc89 · Joined: 26 Sep 2017 Posts: 22

Good answer 👍

Hope it works out okay for you.

(If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. There are actually quite a few nice teachers on this forum despite what the posters on this thread would like you to believe)

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

sammysez · Joined: 20 Nov 2016 Posts: 119

"I actually ignored most of the comments or "analyses" posted because many of you ignorantly assumed what must of happened instead of asking for additional information about what actually happened."

Thank you Passion.

I've also commented about some of the "replies" I've gotten that were not on topic and provided no value to the thread.

Not sure if people are incorrectly assuming they are being witty or what. But, they clearly are not helping anyone.