Job Discussion Forums

jmvkjmvk · Joined: 25 Mar 2014 Posts: 41

I just got a contract/job offer.

I asked about my husband and kids coming over. They said

"The contract will only be issued to the employee. However you can apply for your family to join you under a visit visa once you have the Iqama."

Could somebody please explain this?
I would hate to get over there and be trapped.

It pays SAR 13,750 plus 2750 housing and 600 transportation. Is this any good?

Thanks in advance for helping

CANDLES · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:37 am Post subject:

Once you get your Iqama then you can get your family over for about 3 months and not before.

Please don't sell your house, car, etc because that will be the biggest mistake you'll make. I know of teachers who did exactly that and then had to fly back at their own expense when there was no job for the husband and no schools for the children.

jmvkjmvk · Joined: 25 Mar 2014 Posts: 41

Thanks for the advice. 3 months is a long time.

My husband is Korean (I am American) and the kids are 3 and 5.

If worst comes to worst I can home-school on my off-time and hubby can care for the kids.

But the perks are what I am wondering about. Health care, flights et...

CANDLES · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:53 am Post subject:

That's fine about schooling and caring, but unfortunately you cannot sponsor until the Iqama comes through. Are you thinking of having them with you permanently? If so you need to check out the visa procedure for a Korean passport holder, but again all this boils down to after Iqama.

As for the monetary package- it depends on your educational background.
The salary is on par with BA+ Celta (you can negotiate for a higher salary), and the rest of it is normal. You'll probably be staying in an apartment hotel and taking the company bus to and from work. You won't have any bills to pay and the money is all yours -tax free.

Flights are paid for by the company, health insurance generally free after 3 months (but you may have to pay for dentist and other medical things you need). You pay for medicines, but it is subsidised after you get your insurance.

Nothing else to pay for apart from your usual necessities.

jmvkjmvk · Joined: 25 Mar 2014 Posts: 41

I just found out that I would have to fly my husband and 2 dependents out to Saudi at my own expense.

Is this normal?

CANDLES · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:58 am Post subject:

Yes. You have a contract for teaching, they don't!

jmvkjmvk · Joined: 25 Mar 2014 Posts: 41

Thanks Candles. It's just that I have seen offers from places that include dependents. Maybe I should be applying to other countries

7 years in Korea (university)
MEd TESOL
State Cert. and currently in the USA working in a public school as a sub

Can I make it in Qatar or UAE?

CANDLES · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:13 am Post subject:

With those qualifications you should be getting FAR more in KSA than what has been offered to you.

Try Qatar (Applied Institute of Technology). They are looking for teachers.
Look on Dave's jobsite....it's fairly up to date.

Good luck! Very Happy

jmvkjmvk · Joined: 25 Mar 2014 Posts: 41

Thanks Candles!

Do you mean IAT or http://www.iat.ac.ae/

or

AIT ?

CANDLES · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:25 am Post subject:

http://www.iat.ac.ae/

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

I'm with Candles on this one---forget this particular contractor's offer. Frankly, women with dependents should only apply for direct-hire opportunities because the benefits tend to be richer. But even then, there is the possibility of logistical and financial challenges.

Since you presently hold a teaching license from the US, look into the various positions offered by Teach Away.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

They said "visit visa". With that type of visa your family will not be staying with you long term.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Is your 7 years of university teaching post-MA? You should be able to avoid Saudi Arabia and its issues. If you want to stick to university level teaching, do a google of universities in Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, or even Oman (though sponsoring a husband has been an issue for some on the past, so you would need to check on that). Go to their websites and nearly all of them take their applications on line. (To get the dependent benefits, you need to be a direct hire.) If any of them make an offer, do a check on here to see about the good, bad, and ugly...

And, if you want to teach in the better International Schools, check with ISS in the US and see if they are having any job fairs you could attend. Also check the Teachaway website as they have been one of the more dependable recruiter/contractors.

VS
(PS... outside of Oman, with an MA+7, you should be getting at least $4000+ a month plus all the benefits for you and your family...)

MuscatGary · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:31 am Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA