Job Discussion Forums

ummkhadija · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:53 am Post subject:

Aloha, holoholo girl

It is more expensive to go through an intermediary, however, if you look at the paperwork needed for a employment visa, you have three different offices that you need to send your paperwork to, and the authentication office that is on the saudi embassy page (http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth) states that the "Authentication of documents takes approximately 25 business days to process from the time of receipt**.

Personally that was too long, but you may try it all on your own. The office found on the Enjaz page, will do it for you, and will process your visa within about 7-10 business days. So, I personally felt more comfortable, just having it all looked over and done by individuals who have worked with the Saudi embassy, because questions to the embassy just took way to long to get answered, and when they were, it was quick and with no real interest in helping you.

My thoughts Cool

UmmKhadija

holoholo girl · Joined: 16 Jun 2010 Posts: 58 Location: Mesopotamia

My thoughts exactly UmmKhadija. Thank you for the information

fearnot · Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 19

UmmKhadija,
Thanks so much for replying. All I have up until now is a visa number and the date when it was issued. I still don't have an official contract with stamps and signature on it (just a simple email with my salary package and other details).

ummkhadija · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:05 am Post subject:

Hello: Fearnot

fearnot · Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 19

Just to be on the record ... I did get a hold of someone in the consular section at Saudi Embassy D.C. Unlike the popular belief, two ladies I talked to were very responsive, answered all my questions with a lot of details, and even called me back on my cell for an answer they couldn't give right away. One even emailed me all the paperwork and asked me to call her or email her if I needed anything.
From what she told me, I would not be able to take my family with me and I will have to travel to Saudi Arabia, get my iqammah, and then bring in my wife and child. Any experience in how long it will take for me to get the iqammah in Saudi Arabia and go through all the process?
On a strange note, she told me that I had 2 visas on my name. One was recent and the other one was issued last year. I have been waiting for over a year and I think university did get a visa issued for me but just forgot to tell me about that. There was some miscommunication somewhere.

highopes · Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

First of all I would like to thank this forum and to all those who are sharing their thoughts ,advices & experiences here which are so much beneficial to people like us.

My case is similar to Fearnot as I am also waiting for the visa for the last 11 months and still there is no sign ..�only the hope. I signed the preliminary offer from a college in Riyadh last year in July 2009 and since then I am waiting. I am continuously in touch with the Head of the college as I was hired by him directly. He is a very nice man and he is kept telling me that �I should wait �the visa will come any day as it takes more time for the N.American & European countries � but my point is for how many more months should I wait. I can�t think that person is just giving me excuses for no reason. Should I call the embassy in Ottawa to enquire but from this forum I came to know this also that we cannot proceed with any case without the visa no. Please is there anyone to help me out with their valuable advice? I will be grateful. Thanks in advance.

fearnot · Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 19

UmmKhadija,
A quick question for you (or anyone who has recently gone through Saudi visa process in the US):

1- What was the cost of medical exam and lab tests required by the Saudi Embassy?
2- Did your insurance cover any part of it or did you have to pay everything out of your own pocket?
3- The form states at the end "SUBMIT TO THE CONSULAR SECTION THREE ORIGINALS COPIES OF THIS MEDICAL REPORT ..." So do we have to turn in the original form AND 3 copies of it or just the copies (as it states)?
4- Finally, what's the deal with all the stamps on form i.e. department of health, state authority, and the physician himself/herself?

Thanks in advance for any info/help.

pikaard · Joined: 27 Jun 2010 Posts: 6

I have just finished my medical exam.

aash · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 23

I had the same problem when I was applying for Saudi visa.
It�s very long process. I did all of my work by myself accept enjaz, i don�t know why they made it so complicated. I tried many times to fill enjaz online, but all in vane, and at last I contacted an agent in downtown Toronto who filled online enjaz application and charged 3OO$ .(for me and my family).
Good luck!

ummkhadija · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:20 am Post subject:

Hello:

highhopes:

fearnot · Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 19

UmmKhadija:
Thanks so much for your help. A couple of quick questions for you or anyone going through the same process:

1- I am also trying to avoid paying $175 for the visa services but I am stuck on Enjaz. I am not sure what "ID Number" and "Sponsor ID" field is. Also, it has "Persons Accompanying in Passport" section at the bottom. What does "Accompanying in Passport" mean? Are these the relatives (spouse/children) who will accompany me to KSA?

2- In degree authentication, it states "Verification from www.degreeverify.com or www.degreechk.com." Is it something we have to do and print/send results of it to the embassy along with the other stuff or will it be Saudi Embassy checking our degrees from these websites?

This visa process is just a nightmare. Instructions are so sketchy and vague that I might end up doing a lot myself and then pay to a travel agency anyway.

Regards

pikaard · Joined: 27 Jun 2010 Posts: 6

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

I just wanted to add a tip...

When you have all your paperwork ready to be sent, and if you are going to teach at a university in KSA, send your completed package to the Cultural Mission of Saudi Arabia in D.C. and not the embassy. At the bottom of the application that you print from embassy website, the address at the bottom is for the embassy, but you need to send it to the Cultural Mission of Saudi Arabia. They handle all the visa requests for Americans going to teach at universities in KSA. They will still need to request the visa from the embassy's visa section, but they need to see your paperwork first. I sent all my paperwork to the embassy and it just sat there for a week and nobody bothered to route it to the Cultural Mission of Saudi Arabia. I had to then write a letter officially requesting that the embassy send it to the Cultural Mission.

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

I don't want to confuse anybody that is getting a visa to teach at a university in KSA for the first time, so I wanted to restate that when ALL you paperwork and documents are back and its ready to be sent in order to process your visa, send everything to the Cultural Mission and not the embassy in D.C. They will �manage� the visa process for you and they will send your passport back to you with the visa stamp. If your are teaching at a public/private school, or a business like a Wall Street English, you send your completed package to the embassy.

pikaard · Joined: 27 Jun 2010 Posts: 6