Job Discussion Forums

CANDLES · Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 8:21 pm Post subject:

Dear MMM,

Calm down and read what the expats are saying. They are not berating you, but merely helping you and showing how things can be/should be done.

KSA is unique in the sense that what we deem as 'logical' things does not exist, because that would be too easy and the Saudis LOVE stretching and convoluting a simple idea. They get there in the end, but in their own way.

Most teachers have to go back to their respective countries for say getting an Iqama. The recruiters will pay for the ticket, but it's a hassle.

The rest is up to you.

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 8:21 pm Post subject:

Cease with the petty bickering, insults and off-topic postings or this thread will disappear and there will be sanctions.

rollingk · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 212

Makoli Mark,

As stated, unless your sponsor is very well connected you need to return home to get an employment visa, and you can't believe what is told to you about processing time.

However, despite that many suggest against coming to KSA on anything but an employment visa, people are still coming (mostly with recruitment contractors only) on business and "work visit visas". These can be gotten quite easily and do not involve returning to one's home country but to usually a neighboring country in the middle east, like Jordan, for a relatively quick process.

The recruitment companies that hire on such visas are always hiring. Maybe you could come on such a visa, determine if you want to stay, and go from there. Little lost.

Makoli Mark Mark · Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Posts: 30

rollingk · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 212

It was a while back that I came on a "visit visa" but if I recall correctly, there was only a cursory health check done in KSA for insurance purposes.

If you're going with the full employment visa option, then your FedEx idea is sensible because actually getting the visa may take months. I wish I had done this myself. Of course, technically, you should always have your passport with you, as I'm sure you will know, but people do the courier thing with no problem all the time.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

Your employer is going to get you into Saudi Arabia on a 90 day employment visa leading to an Iqama. For this you will have to get your physical done in the USA since you are an American. To give you an example of the cost, my physical was 300 US (the doctor said if he knew what the physical entailed he would have charged a lot more). The lab tests were 700 US and the x-ray was 300 US (what an absolute rip-off for a simple chest x-ray, but that is generally what they run at a hospital). I think you will be reimbursed for this, although I don't know what your contract says or who you are working for. There are people here that have had it done for a lot less doing it piece meal, but that will take time. How fast you will get your visa varies greatly. I think generally it takes a month if you use a visa agency which usually runs 300 US, but if you're unlucky it can take a lot longer. You have to get your degrees verified and sometimes that means getting documents from your university that some universities will not send which can slow the process.

Abu Wanas · Joined: 17 Aug 2013 Posts: 13

I'm afraid that processing your visa in Bangkok isn't an option, unless you apply for a visit visa. Back in 1991, the Saudi Embassy in Manila issued me an employment visa, but the rules are much stricter these days. You need to be in your home country in order for all the necessary formalities to be completed.

Makoli Mark Mark · Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Posts: 30

Makoli Mark Mark · Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Posts: 30

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

For the UK, visiting the doctor is sufficient for the medical. I only paid 40 quid (60 USD). There was no x-ray and the blood test was included.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

It was $300 for the doctor. $700 for the laboratory tests. $300 for the chest x-ray. On top of that I used Atlantic Travel and Limousine services to handle the visa, that cost $300 US. I paid a total of $1600 US to obtain my visa. They also give you a timeline of 19 to 23 days to get the visa, however it took almost 3 months for me to get my visa, because of asinine requirements that popped up that my school simply said "no" to.

I know the Medical can be done for less. Therefore if this shocks you, you might try scrolling down to the Medical related threads on the Saudi site here.

While you are waiting for the visa you will most likely be having to send documents back and forth from where you are at. That means you will have to use FEDEX if you are out of the country.

Another thing is you have to find out if you can leave the US after the Medical tests prior to embarking for Saudi Arabia. Will they allow that? I don't know. I would use a Visa agency like Atlantic Travel and Limousine and email them. Your company should reimburse you for the costs anyway; it should be in the contract. Your medical test costs should be reimbursed as well, if it's a company that doesn't totally screw you over like some that I have heard of.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

CANDLES · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:59 am Post subject:

CurrentAffairs...

UK - had to go through either Britannia Consular or Harley Medical as far as I know. Charges £500 to £800 respectively. X ray/blood test included.

Not sure what you did!

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

For EdEx you have to go through Britannia Consular and their prices went through the roof last year. I actually paid 90 quid through Britannia but I heard that after August, 2012, prices went up to 500 pounds or more.

There are rumours of someone pocketing a lot of money but I don't know if that is true..

For other companies, the visa agent will just do the paperwork - which is as it should be. You supply a medical cert, degrees, and birth certificate, etc. The visa agent has nothing to do with your medical certificate or the process of obtaining it. The visa agent will just send you a form for the doctor to fill out....

I haven't heard of Harley Medical or who uses them.