Job Discussion Forums

dreamweaver · Joined: 03 Mar 2013 Posts: 4

Greetings,
I have accepted a job offer from UNB in Arar. I was told by the HR that they requested a visa for me. When I asked about the visa processing time they instructed me to call their embassy in DC. Anyway, does anybody have an idea how much time will take for me to get a work visa?
Also, if you have any tips for me to help me speed up the process will much appreciated.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

By "work visa," are you referring to a business visit visa? Or do you mean an employment visa, which requires you to complete medical lab tests, a med exam, criminal background check, and authentication of academic degree in your home country? Obviously, the employment visa entails a longer process, and since Northern Borders University is a government uni, if you're direct hire, then you're getting this type of visa.

Either way, you have to complete the visa application and submit all the necessary documentation and your passport to the Saudi Embassy in D.C. in order to get your visa processed and physically slapped into your passport. And even then, all this doesn't happen until the prospective employer/sponsor's HR department first does its thing at its end. Based on your post, it seems that's where things stand at this point.

Frankly, at most unis, the second semester will be wrapping up in the next couple of months. Are you expected to be in country within two or so months to teach over the summer, or will you start at the beginning of the 2013-2014 academic year?

dreamweaver · Joined: 03 Mar 2013 Posts: 4

It's an employment visa. I'm supposed to start by the end of August. I'm confused about one thing: is HR supposed to mail a copy of my contract to the embassy? I have never received anything other than an email saying that I have a visa number and need to contact the Saudi embassy.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission doesn't necessarily have to be involved in the Visa process? That I didn't know. I thought they were involved in checking things out.

dreamweaver · Joined: 03 Mar 2013 Posts: 4

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in D.C. will process most of the visas and then send your visa package to the embassy in D.C. for teachers going to work at the major govt. universities in KSA (KFUMP, KSU, KAU, and others). Those that are going to teach at places like Wall Street and other non-govt. schools in KSA will only need to send the visa paperwork to the embassy in D.C if you are American.

Most of the time, your employee will send a visa number assigned to you to the embassy, or SACM. You will just need to send a copy of the offer letter you were sent via email with your completed visa application. As long as you have that visa number, you will be able to start the visa process. You do not need to have a contract sent to you because you will sign the real contract once you get to your teaching job.

ttxor1 · Joined: 04 Jan 2014 Posts: 119

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

ttxor1 · Joined: 04 Jan 2014 Posts: 119

thanks, nomad soul! a very informative site.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

As far as I know the University in Arar is a real university and under the aegis of the Ministry of Higher Education. That SHOULD mean that the visa process is done with the help of SACM and the Embassy.

I was in some remote parts of KSA but nvere made it to Arar. It is a five hour road trip from Dammam to Hafr Al-Battin - where I worked - and then ANOTHER 5 to Arar. Good luck.