Job Discussion Forums

[SusanLiz]

My husband has a job offer in Saudi Arabia, which involves getting all the steps for the visa in the U.S(like authenticating his diploma, and so on).

BUT, we live in Cairo.....has anyone done this from overseas, not from the Saudi embassy in D.C.?

With parents in the states, we may be able to do some off the stuff by proxy, mail, internet. Went to the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, but not entirely helpful.

If so, how long did it take, how did they do it, and is there any good contact info for a HELPFUL person in this matter???

Thank you,

Susan

[veiledsentiments]

Hi SusanLiz

I quite hesitate to say it, but did you try asking the American Embassy?

I hesitate because through the years I have found them to be pretty much the rudest most unhelpful batch people bar none. But, you may accidently find a new person there that hasn't caught whatever it is that ails them.

Perhaps a better option would be to have one of your parents call the State Department in Washington and ask them? Or the Saudi Embassy in DC?

VS

[james]

Hi SusanLiz,

I got my visa 5 years back at the Saudi Embassy in Seoul. The Saudi Embassy in Cairo has the authority to assist your husband, but getting them to put down their cups of tea to exercise that authority is another matter entirely.

If they give you the cold shoulder and tell you to go to the Saudi Embassy in Washington you may end up having no other choice than to do just that. Before you hop on a plane, however, it can't hurt to try begging, pleading, crying, or flashing a little cash to see if you can get someone to assist you.

Like many employees of any governmental organization anywhere (even in America), Saudis generally can't normally be described as workaholics, but neither can they be described as cold blooded. Try smiling and be cheerful and Insha'Allah you'll get a positive response.

Sorry, I could be of more help. Best of luck.

Sixty days and counting,
James

[Bindair Dundat]

[SusanLiz]

We tried the Saudi Embassy here, and although they say it is possible, maybe, we got nowhere. It was a zoo there, many many people.

I think we'll try again, before heading back to the states.

Hoping someone might have a contact in Washington or Cairo,

Still hopeful but I guess I should look into tickets.

Sue

[Bindair Dundat]

Here, let me try this again:

The place to start is with his prospective employer. They have to send their request for a visa to the embassy in Egypt. Then your husband will have to meet the requirements of that embassy, which may be different from the requirements of the embassy in Washington.

BD

[SusanLiz]

Thank you BD for your assistance.

His employer already sent his visa stuff to the states and as time is of the essence(wouldn't want dh to be caught up in paperwork when he needs to be getting to work).

BTW, we already talked to the employer, they told us to go to the embassy and try. If that answers the question.....basically I'm listening to you

Sue

[Stephen Jones]

BD is correct. To do it in Egypt the employer would have to request the Foreign Office to transfer the visa from Washington, where it now is, back to Riyadh, and then issue it to Cairo.

As they've given you the documentation from the States you will have to do everything there. If you do it in Washington itself or New York it can take less than ten days from flying in to flying out again. Most people get caught out with the medical, so it really helps to get it done by a doctor who regularly does the tests.

[SusanLiz]

What does the whole process entail.......we know he needs his diplomas stamped....the medical, and his certificates of experience stamped....what does the whole process entail as he may have to travel within the U.S. to get a few of these things...

Thank you for your help,

Sue

[Stephen Jones]

Why don't you PM me with your email adddress, and I'll send you what you know?

[scot47]

I think it may depend on your employer. I got a visa from the Royal Saudi Copnsulate in Istanbul - although I am not resident in Turkey.

But the employer was a prestigious university with big "wasta" in Riyadh