Job Discussion Forums

jammex88 · Joined: 09 Feb 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States

Got an offer to start "immediately" and the offer says business visa. I asked about this and he said it is to bring me over quicker. It is my understanding you cannot work on SA on a business visa, but is this not enforced?

The company is IILSA.COM, btw.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Use the "SEARCH" function on this forum.

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

I see that the pimps are hunting for some more fresh, tasty teacher-meat.

"Come on honey bunny. It will be nice. You'll meet our client and he will take you by the hand and escort you to the bedroom - Opps! Ha, Ha. I mean the classroom. Just lie down and take it like a true ESL professional".

Don't do it. Don't drink the Kool-Aid and think it will different.

They can't get you the proper legal status for employement, so they will say anything to get you over here. Business visas are for people wanting to conduct business (salespeople, guest lecturers) in the Kingdom for a short time.

And yes... please do a simple search on the subject of business visas and hopefully you can see how things really are (if you are able to take off your rose tinted glasses). Good luck.

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

jammex88 · Joined: 09 Feb 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

You are not trying hard enough. There are countless threads on the subject. BTW, did you noticed that I used the word, "if" in my comment about the glasses? If you are going to get bent out of shape and over react on something so small as my use of a conditional, you are in for an awakening once you get over here. I even wished you good luck. Gee, some people. Razz

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

jammex88 · Joined: 09 Feb 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States

Thanks, I read through those forums, but the last posts were a year ago or more. I definitely have reservations about that situation but I am just curious how egregious it is considered.

The reasons I am considering it is that it is much quicker and I can get an idea of whether or not I want to work long term there. It would suck to go through the mountain of paperwork, time, hassle required to get a work visa, only to discover upon arrival that I cannot or do not want to live in SA.

And, lots of countries generally look the other way unless you are taking a job away from a citizen (which is of course not the case here). I don't know if SA is one of those countries or not.

MuscatGary · Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 9:31 pm Post subject:

British Government advice to British nationals:

There are heavy fines, sometimes accompanied with prison sentences if you overstay your visa or do not hold the correct type of visa. Contact the Saudi Embassy in your home country before you travel to find out more about different types of visas and ensure you have the most appropriate type.

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

cultofpersonality · Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Posts: 94

To get to the point...

Don't do it! Are you a businessman? What business are you doing in Saudi?
None, you're working for someone.

Get the correct visa or don't go!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I would like to go and work in the US but there are so many complications in getting a work permit and a visa. I think I will just go as a tourist and get a job.

johnslat · Posted: Tue May 27, 2014 1:26 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

Let me know if you'd like a list of the best places to swim across the Rio Grande. Very Happy

Regards,
John

Muhammed Abbas Khan · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 73

Dear Jammex88,

A cursory glance at the website shows that you will be teaching at a language institute. Even when coming in to Saudi on a bona fide visa (which leads to an iqama) it is the norm for such institutes to demand/require that you work split shifts. It is wholly conceivable that any employer who brings you in to teach on a business visa is likely to perhaps say one thing i.e. "you'll only be teaching four hours a day" but then when you arrive in country they may insist on you teaching eight hours in two four hour shifts. Remember, that you have no employment rights and so you either tow the line or you pay for a flight out of your own pocket and return back home. On the other hand the employer may turn out to be a joy to work for. Roll the dice and see what happens or take heed from those who have rolled the dice in the past and are all too aware that the odds are always stacked in favor of the house (employer).

Regards,
Abbas

jammex88 · Joined: 09 Feb 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States

Thanks for the feedback. The job is at National Industrial Training Institute about one hour from Dammam (housing is in Dammam) and the hours are 7am-4pm...at least this is what the contract says. But yes, the fact that I would have no rights is a concern.