Job Discussion Forums

[Nabz1236]

Hi guys,

Need some advice on family visit visa advice.

So i am going to leave the UK on a work employment visa (guaranteed) and when i get to KSA this will be turned into an Iqama. Firstly how long does it take to get your Iqama and are you required to do a second medical when you arrive in KSA?

Secondly the issue of getting my wife over. The company will not allow you to bring your wife over on residency Iqama status until you pass the 3 month probationary period.

So the other option i was looking at was getting a temp visit visa when I am over there and i have my Iqama. I have been told you need to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi and submit a form for family visit visa. Then once they issue you with a form you send that with your wifes passport to visa agent who will then get visit visa issued.

Problem is I have been told by a company to even get a visit visa you need a letter from the employer to allow this and this needs to be submitted to Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi. Is this true? Anyone have any experience of applying for a visit visa for immediate family?

If this is the case the employer will still not issue any letter until the 3 months probation is complete. That means i would not be able to bring my wife over till after then.

Any advice is appreciated i am just looking for some clarification.

Thanks

Nabz.[/img]

[sicklyman]

iqama issuance depends on how quickly your employer does paperwork. I had mine in my hand 10 days after I landed. Others waited months. Ramadan will slow everything to a crawl.

Yes, second medical required in country.

I've brought my wife over both on temporary visit and residence. You need your employer to issue a letter agreeing to this first. I doubt they would do it during your probation, but there's no harm in asking them. Just be prepared for a refusal.

I've never heard of anyone on probation getting their family here for a visit. ANyone else?

[lcanupp1964]

I got my Iqama within five days of landing at the airport, but maybe being a direct hire was the reason it was fast. I did have to get a fast second medical on my second day, but it was really a check of my blood type and a piss test and I was there for about 20 minutes.

Yea, try to get everything done before Ramadan - even more "nothing" is going to happen during those 30 days.

From what I have learned from the teachers with spouses, I think you may have to wait for the 3 months to pass before your wife can get over to KSA.

[nomad soul]