Job Discussion Forums

[DirtGuy]

I posted this same query on another thread but I wanted to put it by itself for others to see.

I talked with a visa processing specialist regarding handling my visa application. She informed me that I might have a problem because my BS degree (International Business) does not match the job for which KAU has hired me. I have plenty of teaching experience plus 200+ hours in a TEFL certificate but that may not matter. The Cultural Mission could OK my docs and have a contract from KAU but still get turned down by the embassy for not having a degree that is directly related to what I would be doing.

Has anyone heard of such a thing or know people who have been hired to teach even though their degree is not in education?

Again, please save the comment on the "Magic Kingdom". Anyone reading the forum for more than 5 minutes understands this.

On a slightly unrelated note, how do people get background checks so quickly? Neither the Pittsburgh police nor the sheriff's office will do them so it's left up to the PA state police and their website says allow up to 4 weeks. Curious and impatient minds want to know.

Thanks.

DirtGuy

[johnslat]

Dear DIrtGuy,

Apparently it can differ from state to state, and you're not in a good state for quick background checks:

"Go through an official organization that completes background checks. Certain states such as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania do not process background checks through their police stations.
In Pennsylvania, you can request an online background check through PATCH:
https://epatch.state.pa.us
(cut and paste the link in to your browser if the hyperlink doesn�t work)"

Here in New Mexico, you can just drive to the local police headquarters or sherif's office and get one.

Sorry,
John

[DirtGuy]

Yeah, that's exactly what I did. Now I get to learn patience.

Perhaps we shouldn't be so hard on KSA as they certainly don't have exclusive rights to doing things backa**wards.

DirtGuy

[johnslat]

Dear DIrtGuy,

"Perhaps we shouldn't be so hard on KSA as they certainly don't have exclusive rights to doing things backa**wards."

Very true - I've often thought Saudi was good prep for living here in New Mexico.

Regards,
John

[ultraman111]

What ? doing your own bacground check? Hope the job is worth it....

[Easy_as_ABC!]

Hi DirtGuy
After�trawling through these forums almost daily for the last 4 months I've decided to join the community as I've also been offered a position at KAU ELI and should be there as soon as my visa apllication is completed (this could take a while).
After reading all of your various posts on different subjects from affordable housing to visa issues, all I can say is that empathise with you completely.
Coming back to the topic I can also confirm that I do not have a BA in English or TEFL instead it is a BSc in IT however I have a CELTA and 5 years experience teaching ESL. The saudi cultural bureau (here in London) has returned my degree certificate with a stamp after authenticating it from my university. All I have to do now is use this and a letter they've sent me (in Arabic) to apply for my Visa from the embassy. I am also considering using a visa agent but after speaking to someone at the embassy directly and visiting their website I might send the documents my self.
The Embassy, now, does not offer to complete a police check but from what I can gather it's not for me to check but I'll soon find out.
I also had a conversation with a Hassan Qutub from the HR or recruitment department at the ELI yesterday (who dealt with my recruitment) and reminded him that my BA was not in an English related subject to which he replied " I Know" and that it was ok which settled my nerves so deducing from that I think the the answer to your TRUE or NOT question is NOT. I don't think you will have an issue with your BA not being in English or TEFL related for your visa. Sorry for the long post but it's my first ever one.
My own personal predicament (which I'll post in a new thread) is that i'm travelling with my 2 boys, 4 and 1, as well as my wife and I would need to find suitable accommoadtion for them with a limited housing allowance and also would need to finance schooling for my eldest boy which is not going to be cheap. I'm hoping that my wife would also be able to work as an ESL tutor privately as she has 10 years experience in teaching ESL but does not have a BA, she instead has a CERT ED in ESOL which is highly sort after in the UK but not recognised in KSA because she also applied to KAU ELI but didn't get in. Never mind hopefully it'll work out.�

[ramiceman78]

Dear Easy_as_ABC

Why did you agree to KAU terms especially that there are many many places in the Kingdom with better job offers? I tured down their offer, and I got an excellent job offer that gives me 120,000 for housing and free International schooling for my 2 daughters.

17000 in Jeddah is nothing, and good schooling will consume the lion's share of you salary..all I can say is.. Good Luck.

[Easy_as_ABC!]

Hi ramicmean78
I can understand your point, infact the agencies that I joined with here in the UK also offered me better contracts other than KAU. However for very personal reasons I was only entertaining offers from Jeddah of which KAU's was the best. I also have a friend whose been teaching at international school in Jeddah for 13 consecutive years and he has made arrangements for an interview for my wife for girls campus. They will offer an internal contract because she does not have a BA however our children will be granted entry at the school. After I've cut my teeth in Jeddah after the first year I'm pretty confident that I'll a better package for my family.
Good luck to you also.

Sorry for the typos but it's difficult using an iPhone whilst commuting back from work on a bus.