Job Discussion Forums

[rdobbs98]

I have to admit the SACM is not an easy organization to work with. I sent in my TEFL certificate with sealed transcripts, my TEYL certificate with sealed transcript, my bachelors degree with sealed transcript and degree verify, and my MBA with seal transcripts and degree verify but they only stamped the bachelors degree and wrote on the MBA, couldn't verify.

What to do and how can that be seeing I sent the degree verify and sealed transcripts? I sent an email but I know they won't respond because I have not had any return phone calls or return emails on any question.

[trapezius]

where is your MBA from, if you don't mind me asking?

[nomad soul]

I didn't send them all my degrees---just the most relevant one. They don't need to authenticate everything.

[rdobbs98]

It was an accredit U.S. university. It was distance but many executive MBAs are. They took the money for verifying and didn't verify it even though I sent sealed transcripts and the degree verify. They also took the fee money for my two tefl certificates and did nothing. Basically stole $32 in fees that they did nothing in return. Only the bachelors is certified.

So tell how you dealt with TEFL certificates then? Also I will publish a sticky on SACM because most of what people have.posted is incorrect and some don't help atcall. No one should have to overpay to agents or deal with an incompetent bureau without reliable pointers. I don't know why those who have went through don't help.

[scot47]

So you are 32 bucks out of pocket ? Aw gee !

[rdobbs98]

That wasn't the point. The point is seeking advice of whether you can move forward for the visa. I am not seeking sarcasm. Just what some have went through because I haven't dealt with SACM before.

[lynnknows]

I dont think they will stamp a distant learning degree MOST TIMES. If it was done at a brick and mortar school and does not say online or anything like that, you should be ok. However, if it was done at one of the schools listed on their list of online schools......NOT going to happen

As for the TEFL, there is no need to get that stamped. Well, I didnt have to anyway.

Many of the positions only require a BS. I would contact the university and see what they say. I think they are the only people that can really tell you what to do

Sorry you lost your money.
Good luck with the rest of your process

[rdobbs98]

Thank you Lynn

[rdobbs98]

Well Lynn and all it turns out no need to stamp TESL certificates, that from the government of Canada, where I did my TEFL training. They don't authenticate those and the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission doesn't in the US nor does the Embassy of Canada.

But apparently, the SACM likes to steal money though. I get told by the processor that you don't have to pay for processing though the original person told me to pay $8 per page, so I had $40 stolen by the Saudi Cultural Mission and even with a receipt, lie to say nothing was sent in. So I guess they are no better here than in KSA.

[lynnknows]

Im sorry to hear that. I didnt think there was a fee. I remember sending my 8 bucks in and it was returned to me.

Again, I am sorry. I pray your time in KSA will be better than your visa process.

[rdobbs98]

I told them I was disappointed too, especially when it's my Muslim brothers and sisters doing these things. I hold them to a higher accountability. It is definitely a wild ride.

I know too on how one person tells you to send the money, another says no. They have no level of having their act together. Most of the them never return phone calls or emails, you get differing information, and they either work like lightening or like snails.

[johnslat]

Dear rdobbs98,

There are good, decent people in Saudi and there are bad ones, just like anywhere else.

But, from my experience, if you go there expecting a "higher accountability," (i.e. to be treated well simply because you're a Muslim and they are,) you'll likely be often disappointed.

Regards,
John

[rdobbs98]

The irony is now the person at SACM is looking to see who took the money order out of the packet I sent. My point here and to them was you can't keep telling people one thing they must do and then tell them now it's different from one day to the next. The process isn't that complicated but the people at SACM make it ridiculous and do not service the clients. You cannot call and get someone to answer the phone unless you do as I did and call 5 times a day for two weeks. Even the Visa agent I looked at couldn't get results.

It isn't about Muslim or not but being Muslim I hold my fellow Muslims to a higher standard because they should do better.

[veiledsentiments]

[rdobbs98]

No my expectations are not high, I just need to be able to complete tasks, such as the Visa. I have lived overseas under much worse conditions, U.S. military. Don't judge a book by it's cover.