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Sheikit
Joined: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 34
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 Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:01 pm Post subject: Finally taking the plunge into Saudi |
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Hi all,
Firstly, a big thanks to everyone for all your detailed posts and especially those members whom I've pestered via PM with silly/not so silly questions.
Six years ago I was offered a job in al Khobar and I accepted. After losing my passport and wallet three days before leaving, I took it as a sign to abort mission.
Now, I really need to pay off debt and hope to head over in August/September. I know what to expect, as much as one can from reading obsessively. I know it will be boring and students might suck, but all the more reason to hit the gym and try sandboarding. I want to go for one year, pay off my debt, and get the eff out. I'd love to work for Raytheon, but they have not responded to my application, so will try for military/oil in the Eastern province, perhaps with Al Falak (I know, contractor, but one of the better ones evidently). I'll also try for a Uni position, but doubtful.
I've got an unrelated BA (Psychology), 6 years' experience teaching adults at all levels, and a DELTA. I am 28, male, white, American.
1. From which authority must I get my DELTA apostilled?
2. Should I include a photo on my CV?
3. Are there any hints/tips for formatting my CV or writing cover letters which are specifically pertinent to Saudi or which I may be overlooking?
4. My BA doesn't actually specify the subject on it, but of course my transcripts do. Will this help or hinder?
5. Any other advice/abuse you feel like throwing out here is welcome. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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Employers do things in different ways. For my last employer in KSA (2003-2011) I was never required to produce degrees and diplomas. They simply took me at face value - perhaps because I was working for Saudi Arabian Airlines (1996-2002) when I applied. I cannot guarantee that will always be the case !
Find an employer, get a job and do as you are told. Simple. And do not lose your passport, visa or marbles.
Last edited by scot47 on Sun Jan 19, 2014 10:40 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Sheikit
Joined: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 34
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| Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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scot,
about the passport, i've heard that reputable places give it back to you after the iqama is sorted, but some don't. in that case, have i got any recourse? what to do?
the us dept of state will issue 2-year passports for citizens traveling to "dangerous" parts of the world. i was thinking about getting one of these when i have to renew my current passport, to keep in my bag if i ever need to leave in a hurry. bad idea? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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| cwright wrote: |
| i've heard that reputable places give it back to you after the iqama is sorted, but some don't. in that case, have i got any recourse? what to do? |
It depends on the employer. I always had my passport with me and in fact, was never asked to turn in my iqama whenever I went out of the country during breaks. I hope my situation is the norm since we don't see comments about this issue anymore. But for some time, it was a hot topic (see "Employer's right to keep your passport...or not," http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=90582). I'm sure others will add their particular experience regarding this practice.
| and wrote: |
| the us dept of state will issue 2-year passports for citizens traveling to "dangerous" parts of the world. i was thinking about getting one of these when i have to renew my current passport, to keep in my bag if i ever need to leave in a hurry. bad idea? |
The Middle East, as a whole, is generally not considered a dangerous part of the world; it obviously depends on the country and Saudi Arabia doesn't fit the criteria of "dangerous" (unless you count driving). Anyway, I've never heard of this 2-year passport and yet, I'm certainly in a dangerous country. |
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mashkif
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 178
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| Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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| cwright wrote: |
| [...] the us dept of state will issue 2-year passports for citizens traveling to "dangerous" parts of the world. i was thinking about getting one of these when i have to renew my current passport, to keep in my bag if i ever need to leave in a hurry. bad idea? |
Not bad; just futile. You can only exit on the passport on which you entered, and if your employer takes a passport from you, that will be the one. Trying to exit on another passport will land you in a world of bother, because you will be seen as an illegal entrant, which is BAD NEWS (all caps!). |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 11:01 am Post subject: |
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The question to ask is "Will you give me a multiple exit/re-entry visa ?" Having a passport with no exit visa in it will not allow you to leave the country.
Last edited by scot47 on Fri Jan 17, 2014 5:13 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
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| Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:16 am Post subject: Re: Finally taking the plunge into Saudi |
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| cwright wrote: |
1. From which authority must I get my DELTA apostilled? |
For Saudi immigration there is no requirement for apostilles. I don't think the Saudi's signed up for the Hague Convention covering apostilles anyway.
| Quote: |
| 2. Should I include a photo on my CV? |
I would include a nice looking photo on your CV, if for no other reason than to not waste time. Let them see if they want you on the resume, they are going to see you eventually for the SKYPE interview.
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| 3. Are there any hints/tips for formatting my CV or writing cover letters which are specifically pertinent to Saudi or which I may be overlooking? |
The same CV format that you would use for say Korea or Japan or all of Asia is probably satisfactory for the KSA.
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| 4. My BA doesn't actually specify the subject on it, but of course my transcripts do. Will this help or hinder? |
Anything that is the least bit unusual will cause problems with The Saudi Cultural Mission. Be prepared for additional phone calls and questions for your school that presented your bachelor's. This may cause serious delays. |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
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| Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:24 am Post subject: |
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| cwright wrote: |
scot,
about the passport, i've heard that reputable places give it back to you after the iqama is sorted, but some don't. in that case, have i got any recourse? what to do?
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You have to have an exit visa in order to leave the KSA. In order to get an exit visa you have to comply with your contract satisfactorily in the eyes of your employer. Whether or not they keep your passport means little, especially since you could obtain one within at least two weeks at the embassy. Getting the exit visa for your brand new passport would be another thing. |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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| plumpy nut, that's not unusual. US bachelor's degree never mention the subject, just the name of the degree, i.e., Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, etc. Of course, for business administration and fine arts, the subject name is part of the degree name. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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| trapezius wrote: |
| US bachelor's degree never mention the subject, just the name of the degree, i.e., Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, etc. |
Apparently, that's not the case with all bachelor's degrees; my US Bachelor of Science diploma states my major. |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting... I stand corrected!
However, from my limited sample size of siblings and friends, it seems most don't list the major. |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
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| Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 7:38 am Post subject: |
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| trapezius wrote: |
| plumpy nut, that's not unusual. US bachelor's degree never mention the subject, just the name of the degree, i.e., Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, etc. Of course, for business administration and fine arts, the subject name is part of the degree name. |
Mine did. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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But mine doesn't.
Regards,
John |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
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| Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
Find and employer, get a job and do as you are told. Simple. |
yes  |
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SENTINEL33
Joined: 19 Jan 2014
Posts: 112
Location: Bahrain
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| Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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| plumpy nut wrote: |
Whether or not they keep your passport means little, especially since you could obtain one within at least two weeks at the embassy. Getting the exit visa for your brand new passport would be another thing. |
Unless I'm misreading this quote, I believe this is incorrect information.
Yes, you can obtain a new US pp within about 2 weeks after applying at the local Consulate, but there's no way you'll be issued such a pp without turning in your old pp first.
I guess you can say you"lost" it, but then I believe you'll have to advertize in the local newspaper and go through other "official" procedures before even applying for your new pp. Your current employer will no doubt be contacted by the local police at which point your transgression will be loud and clear for everyone in the Kingdom to hear and jeer and land you in all kinds of trouble with KSA and USA. Don't do it.
There are several tried and true ways to quickly depart the Kingdom without getting into a pickle. Ask around. |
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