Job Discussion Forums

[teachr11]

Last spring, my employer told us that our work-visit visas (which, by the way, do NOT say anything about being illegal to work under) are valid from the day we set foot in the country. So, according to that date, I had my visa re-stamped 90 days after the day I entered KSA, not the date that the consulate in the U.S. issued the visa.

NOW, my employer is saying that these visas are valid from the date of issue in the home country. This has created an uproar amongst my colleagues, as now our 90 days of freedom (i.e. multiple entry) are reduced. It generally takes about 2 weeks for our company to arrange flights after the visas have been obtained. That means 2 weeks less of travel outside of KSA before being trapped here for the rest of the school year. Say it ain't so!

So what's the truth? Date of stepping foot in country, or date of issuance in the home country? Any ideas about how Saudi immigration handles validity dates at the border? I don't think my company knows what they are talking about, so I don't trust their answers.

And if you could refrain from mentioning how awful these employers who don't get people proper iqamas are, I would appreciate it. We already know our employers suck, but don't have the credentials to get work with more highly-esteemed companies. Thank you.

[wantok]

A fount of regulations right from the camel's mouth: http://www.mofa.gov.sa/sites/mofaen/Pages/Default.aspx

Another fount of wisdom: https://www.moi.gov.sa/wps/portal/!ut/p/b1/04_SjzQ0NzQ0NjAyNDHRj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOJNnQOcPS18jQ3dA0LNDYzczE28nM28LQy8QRoigQoMcABHA0L6g1Pz9MP1o_AqMzGGKnB2d_QwMfcxMLDwcTc18HT0CA2yDDQ2NnCEKcDjDj-P_NxU_dyoHItgT11HAIaiKsw!/dl4/d5/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS80SmtFL1o2X0dOVlMzR0gzMTBGSUUwSVFJSkozR1YzQ0w2/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/MOI+Diwan/MOI+Home+Content/Home/Regulation/

A little prelim research before you appeal for opinions from secondary sources here might be advised!

[johnslat]

Dear wantok,

But aren't you a "secondary source here?"

And look - you saved the poster all the trouble of doing the research him/herself.

Regards,
John

[wantok]

Ummm, "facilitator" pointing out primary sources posters can at leisure themselves peruse.

I'm well-reheased in OBE, BTW.

[nomad soul]

Teachr11:

The physical visa affixed inside your passport doesn't include any wording about working in the Kingdom, although the Saudi Embassy's consulate page prominently states visit visas don't grant the holder the right to work or reside in the Kingdom. (You should have visit visa stamps in your passport as well). However, the Saudi labor law is clear about what constitutes employment of a foreigner under Article 33, which states: "A non-Saudi may not engage in or be allowed to engage in any work except after obtaining a work permit from the Ministry, according to the form prepared by it for this purpose." Therefore, and as stated ad nauseum within this forum, if you are on a business (work) visit visa, you are not a bona fide employee of the company sponsoring you; you're essentially brought over to provide services on behalf of the sponsor/company. That being said, you have no choice but to go with the flow with how your sponsoring company arranges flights---you have no say in the matter nor recourse under the law. This is why working for these companies stinks, and why they're constantly advertising for teachers (often to replace those who suddenly leave). And frankly, the visa date you really need to concern yourself with is the expiration date.

[Barbaros]

[johnslat]

Dear wantok,

I can't decide which one OBE means:

What is OBE?

OBE is "Overcome By Events" or "Out of Body Experience" or "Order of the British Empire"

http://www.internetslang.com/OBE-meaning-definition.asp

Regards,
John

[wantok]

Pardon the segue!

Number six: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=obe

BTW, nomad and teachr: The legit employment visa gets you through Arrivals only. It is attached to your iqama application upon arrival is a visa type that is applied for by the sponsor's initiative to the Ministry of LABOUR. Their officials vent the the sponsor for legit business enterprise registration.

The business visit visa is initiated by the sponsor's application to the Ministry of