Job Discussion Forums

[GlobalTeacherGuy]

Hello Everyone,

1) Does the Saudi Embassy in the USA/UK/Australia... issue work visas to people who don't have an English/TELF/Linguistics or related degree?

2) AND, even if you get the visa, will you be given the Iqama once in Saudi if you don't have the related degree?

Has anyone spoken with embassy personal, hiring personal, or read anything official concerning all this?

GlobalTeacherGuy

[abayababy]

Yes and yes. I worried about this too as my degree is in history (I now have a Masters in TESOL).

[scot47]

There was a problem in getting visas from the Saudi Embassy in Canada if your degree was seen as non-related. I did not hear of this affecting other countries.

[strangerthanparadise]

only Canadians need a related degree to obtain an employment visa...

[jkrishnamurtidotorg]

[Grendal]

ibid. Canadians only.

We're special...

Grendal

[plumpy nut]

My Master's degree is a Masters of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies "in Foreign Education" (words in italics mine, and not on my degree). With it I was able to get a job and an employment visa for the KSA, or at least that's what I think............... My other degree is a BS in Biology.

[bharrell]

I received this recently in a rejection letter...

[nomad soul]

[Deeman15]

It has everything to do with nationality and the Saudi Embassies in various countries, and nothing to do with the employer. Its something that started last year with Canadian teachers and now has started to spread to other countries. Some have speculated that it is connected to Saudization but its never been confirmed.

[EYEBALL]

If what is going on in EdEx is any clue, next on the agenda for "related degrees" is the USA. For whatever reason, Americans are next on the agenda. Also apparently, EdEx has plans to max out the number of Brits because they practically hand the visas to them when they arrive at the airport. That vs 2 months or so for US citizens.

I did hear a rumor that South Africa is now considered a non-English speaking country so they will not hire any more South Africans. Anyone heard anything about that situation?

[teachr11]

It depends on where you're from and what sort of connections your company has.

If you're Canadian, you must have a degree in a related subject (Education or English).

If you're American, the Saudi Embassy in the US has made it a requirement to have a degree in Education or English (this started recently, like within the last 2 months). However, your company may have some "connections" and be able to secure you a visa even if you don't have a degree in one of these areas.

I haven't heard about any restrictions for British folk, Australians or New Zealanders.

[Beaker]

[MrWhite]

I have an update on this situation and how it affects Brits from some of my colleagues...

Our visa agency in London says that the Saudi consulate requires a related degree for English teachers going forward, however it might still be possible to get a work visa with an unrelated degree and a tefl/celta certificate (both notarized).

It makes the whole process quite pricey with medicals and legalization of two certificates likely to be over 600gbp and of course, no guarantee your application gets accepted

other than that, the visa agency will still bring teachers in on the 'business' visa should the work visa route prove unworkable.

[plumpy nut]

From what I've heard with other teachers, the embassy in the United States will not give out Iqama employment visas unless a person has an English degree. If you don't have an English degree you have to get into the KSA on a temporary employment visa. Temporary employment visas are legal. How one gets one is beyond me.