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Canadian woman survives PNU to tell her story!
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readytotravel



Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Posts: 77

PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 1:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

International Education Group is recruiting for Uniservices from Auckland University who are now contracted by PNU to provide 300 teachers. My first interview was with International Education Group and the second with Uniservices. I accepted a job offer which came directly from PNU, so I assume that means I work for them. I also interviewed with Edex just for the experience. They seem to be all that is said about them on this board! Thanks for the warning. I am so far getting good responses to my queries from both Universervices and IEG. Many thanks to the posters for all the good information on the other threads regarding visas,medical exams, etc.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 10:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

readytotravel wrote:
My first interview was with International Education Group and the second with Uniservices. I accepted a job offer which came directly from PNU, so I assume that means I work for them.

The visa type and contract are what counts. If you're getting an employment visa, which leads to an iqama, then that's at least a move in the right direction. But don't assume anything; PNU most likely had to sign off on the job offer, which could be their only part of the selection/hiring process. You need to see what entity is indicated on your contract as "Employer." So far, none of the posters on this forum has confirmed they've received a contract with PNU both noted and signing as the employer. Worse, no one has really stated they got a clear response when they asked who the employer is during their interview.
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readytotravel



Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Posts: 77

PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PNU is clearly listed as the employer in the contract and the visa I am required to get is an employment visa leading to the iqama. However, according to the contract, I must bear the entire cost. Is this normal?
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 1:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

readytotravel wrote:
PNU is clearly listed as the employer in the contract and the visa I am required to get is an employment visa leading to the iqama. However, according to the contract, I must bear the entire cost. Is this normal?

Normal has nothing to do with it---it's simply what they require. You may want to contact your PNU HR person to get an exact list of what employment visa costs they expect you to pay for---that is, what's not reimbursable. That might also include the fee for the actual iqama, which runs about 500 SAR (approx. $130 USD).
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c_dange
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's unusual...SBC has paid for all of my visa fees so far, even the exit/re-entry visa. If you're a direct hire with the university maybe they have a different policy. I went through a recruiter who was liaising with SBC on my behalf. They were given an amount of money to pay the visa agent directly for the visa costs (about $215). Any other costs were reimbursed before I left Toronto...right down to the expenses for transcripts and notarization.
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readytotravel



Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Posts: 77

PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 5:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Realizing how the Saudis are sticklers for details, I am wondering if the following is going to present a stumbling block:

In the first paragraph of my contract along with my name, address, and passport number is listed my degree: Bachelor, major: history, and academic rank: teacher. All correct.

However, under the job description that follows it states English Language for my major presumably because I am being hired as an English teacher.

According to my visa instruction I need to submit:

A copy of the employment contract signed by both the sponsor and the applicant. The position mentioned in the contract should match the position mentioned in the block visa reference, as should the academic degree the applicant holds and its major.

I'm confused about what to put on the visa application in the space that reads "qualification" and concerned that the discrepancy will cause problems with either or both the embassy and SACM. Any experience or thoughts on this?
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gelynch52ph



Joined: 15 Feb 2011
Posts: 132

PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:20 am    Post subject: Costs Reply with quote

readytotravel wrote:
PNU is clearly listed as the employer in the contract and the visa I am required to get is an employment visa leading to the iqama. However, according to the contract, I must bear the entire cost. Is this normal?


Saudi law says that the employer is liable for all costs of the visa, including the agent fee for entering the embassy for the visa installation. The employer is also liable for the cost and processing of the iqama, which is nothing more than an ID card that says you have a proper visa. Saudis also have an iqama and like for workers, it is an ID card only, but it is their national ID.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:16 am    Post subject: Re: Costs Reply with quote

gelynch52ph wrote:
Saudi law says that the employer is liable for all costs of the visa, including the agent fee for entering the embassy for the visa installation. The employer is also liable for the cost and processing of the iqama, which is nothing more than an ID card that says you have a proper visa.

But in reality, not all employers do.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

readytotravel wrote:
I'm confused about what to put on the visa application in the space that reads "qualification" and concerned that the discrepancy will cause problems with either or both the embassy and SACM. Any experience or thoughts on this?

It might not be a problem; however, check with your PNU HR person. That may be quicker than waiting for an answer here.
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gelynch52ph



Joined: 15 Feb 2011
Posts: 132

PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:49 am    Post subject: Re: Costs Reply with quote

nomad soul wrote:
gelynch52ph wrote:
Saudi law says that the employer is liable for all costs of the visa, including the agent fee for entering the embassy for the visa installation. The employer is also liable for the cost and processing of the iqama, which is nothing more than an ID card that says you have a proper visa.

But in reality, not all employers do.


That is why there is a Saudi Labor Board in every district. That board will find in your favor unless the employer can prove that you have been recompensed properly. The board and the address and phone number can be found online easily.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Additionally, some employers reimburse these costs after the employee has satisfactorily passed his/her 90-day probation period. It should also be mentioned that business visit visas holders are not considered employees under Saudi law and therefore, have no legal recourse if the sponsor/contracting company doesn't reimburse them for visa-related expenses.
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gelynch52ph



Joined: 15 Feb 2011
Posts: 132

PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:32 am    Post subject: Business visa holders Reply with quote

nomad soul wrote:
Additionally, some employers reimburse these costs after the employee has satisfactorily passed his/her 90-day probation period. It should also be mentioned that business visit visas holders are not considered employees under Saudi law and therefore, have no legal recourse if the sponsor/contracting company doesn't reimburse them for visa-related expenses.


It would be stupid to go to the Labor Board demanding your visa expenses reimbursed from an employer when the visa in your passport has the words "Not Permitted to Work" printed on it.
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vva



Joined: 19 Sep 2010
Posts: 42
Location: NY, USA

PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 6:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What does it mean when a username is blacked out /un-clickable?

I was about to reply to a message from c_dange, only to find that the message had disappeared, along with any messages I had sent her and any previous replies! Now I can't even click on her name...

Does Dave's remove messages from your inbox or have I gone mad?
Also how do I get back in contact with c_dange?


Last edited by vva on Tue Aug 07, 2012 5:06 pm; edited 1 time in total
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readytotravel



Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Posts: 77

PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 6:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

She now appears on the forum as "guest". Perhaps she decided to deactivate her account here.
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 12:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That is weird... I've never seen it before.

If you don't want your posts to show at all, you can edit them out... or ask Dave to remove them all. If you want to "deactivate" your account, just stop signing in and posting...

VS
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