Job Discussion Forums

Sweaty Ted · Joined: 17 Mar 2012 Posts: 54 Location: USA

I've gotten visas for South Korea, Australia, China, Mongolia, Russia, India, Iran and Suriname. All of them were simple to obtain compared to the Saudi work visa. My South Korean work visa was a breeze as was my Australian working holiday visa. Even the tourist visa for Iran was simple compared to Saudi Arabia.

Is the visa process the best indication of what you're getting into by taking a job in Saudi Arabia in terms of endless hurdles, nitpicking, document after document, verification after verification, minutiae, etc.?

Have you ever worked in another country that had such a complicated work visa process?

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:03 pm Post subject:

Dear Sweaty Ted,

1. Is the visa process the best indication of what you're getting into by taking a job in Saudi Arabia in terms of endless hurdles, nitpicking, document after document, verification after verification, minutiae, etc.?

1. Oh my - yes, indeed!!!!

2.Have you ever worked in another country that had such a complicated work visa process?

2. Nope - but to be honest, I never tried North Korea.

Regards,
John

desert_traveller · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 335

This is just the beginning. It is only going to get worse from here. The big money is waiting for you in Saudi, but it does not come free!!!

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

Yep, it only gets worse; just learn to roll with the punches. Make a mental note of everything that happens at those "jaw dropping moments." Nine months will fly by and then you can assess for yourself your own experience of the place. Everybody has a different take on life in Saudi.

now in ksa · Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Posts: 35 Location: KSA

Had exactly the same last year - was supposed to start the end of August. When they finally got back to me in response to the multiple emails it was mid September. They asked me how I was doing with my visa application, despite the fact they were supposed to be issuing flight tickets as they had my visa before Ramadan. They offered me a flight on the Saturday afternoon flying the Monday morning Smile

You will get used to the idea of forgetting all logic if you come here. I've signed up for a second year, I think the heat is getting to me Smile

good luck!

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:46 pm Post subject:

Dear Sweaty Ted,

If you want to last in Saudi, you need to adopt the "inshallah" mentality.

But let me explain: there's a "good" inshallah and a bad one.

The "bad" one (adopted by far too many Saudis) is basically this: "No matter what I might do, the future is preordained to be as Allah wills it. So, I won't do anything."

The "good" one is basically the same as the "Serenity Prayer,"

Grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

In other words, once you have done all that you can in a situation, you have to be able to let it go, not to drive yourself bonkers worrying about stuff you have NO control over.

Regards,
John

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

The universal laws of physics do not apply in the magical kingdom.

baa_baa · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 265

hi! as I was logging on to the website the same thoughts were crossing my mind.. Im glad that its just not me facing the problems..

I need to ask something

I was told to pick up my visa from the cultural attach�. When I got there and showed them the copy of my visa letter they told me that I ME Question

had to "advise" my employer to fax the same visa letter to them. I must also tell them to include a reference number and a date. I was like WHAT???? They also said in order to start the visa process I must bring in a copy of the contract.

DID EVERYBODY GO THROUGH THISSSS????????? i got a job offer not a contract??? or are they mixing up the terms? they showed me a paper with what they wanted. next to the term contract was the word "akid" could it possibly be that they have confused the terms??

I emailed my employer and its been two days. no reply. Is this it? I ve been struggling with this since November..though I had applied in August. is this a dead end...

my question is about the contract? I don't think Ill be getting a copy of contract unless you did??

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

yes, your employer should have sent you a contract. It is the employer's problem and now with Ramadan you may not hear anything until after, at least by mid August or end of August.

I would just send the employer all the information that you were told and / or forward the info if it was sent via email.

It's another case of waiting ...eventually they will get back to you.

Patience is the name of the game when dealing with KSA employers.
Seems many are also not known for being very informed or bother to stay informed as to proceedures one need to go through applying for visa, but you would figure they SHOULD know.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:25 pm Post subject:

Dear cmp45,

Are you sure about that? I seem to recall that all I got in the States wasn't a contract but what I guess could be called a letter of intent, which was in English and gave a bare bones description of some of the terms.

I'm almost certain that I definitely didn't get the contract in Arabic (which is the only version that counts for "legal purposes."

Regards,
John

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

The employer should send something that states the terms of employment, if not a contract. The three different jobs I have had, I recieved a document similar to a contract. Yes once you get into KSA you sign the formal contract.

But the employer should have also sent a letter and contract or at least verification of a contract directly to the embassy.

Yes, I recall that IPA did not provide much if anything written in English aside form the basic terms of employment. However the other two jobs I have had did provide complete formal contracts in English.

Anyways...it's the employer's responsibility to ensure the proper information is sent to the embassy...they are the ones that have clearly dropped the ball. I'd just pass the required info back to the employer and let them sort it out. It's all one can do really.

Sweaty Ted · Joined: 17 Mar 2012 Posts: 54 Location: USA

I got my contract via e-mail attachment. I signed it and scanned it back. I have to wait until Friday to get my police clearance and my letter of enrollment from my college. I am going to go through A. Brigss & Co. in Washington, D.C. They charge US$175 for everything. No need for me to contact or deal with the Saudi embassy at all, for which I am grateful.

Yes, this is the most drawn-out visa procedure I have ever gone through. Getting my work visa for South Korea and Australia was simple compared to this. I appreciate their desire to vet all foreigners coming into their country, but this is the most extreme I have come across.

baa_baa · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 265

Sweaty Tedy, CMP, and Jonh thank you very much for your replies. I feel a little relieved at least I know what to expect now..

Grendal

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

Things must have changed drastically since my first time in KOSA. Arrived for a one week orientation in California Sunday night. Left Friday with the visa in my passport. Lockheed International.

Second time, same scenario, but shorter orientation.

Third time, (Avco-Dallah), also had visa in hand before arriving in KOSA.

I guess if you work directly for "heavy hitters", (Dep't of Defense, Sheik Saleh Kamal), things are easier.