Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

Working visitor visa is for Red Adair going to fix an oil fire, or a pilot flying in a new aircraft for King Abdullah. Not for an EFLer. But hey, you know best, coz you are an expert on Saudi immigration procedures.

[rollingk]

Well now, I'm sure we're none of us experts.

[jammex88]

It's not a question of being an expert, just being able to read the information provided by the Saudi government. Nowhere in that text does it specify the types of jobs. What's the different in bringing someone in on a temporary basis to do a technical job such as the ones you mention, or teach classes?

[jammex88]

Maybe it is depends on nationality. The visa page for the Saudi embassy in London lists fewer options than the one in Washington DC. And the British one does not list a "Work Visit Visa" as the one in the US does.

[johnslat]

Saudi Working Visitor Visa
This visa shall allow you to work in Saudi Arabia for up to 180 days. You will require a working visit visa invitation specifically from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is normal for occupations such as airline pilots and oil industry workers

Saudi Business Visa
This Saudi visa will allow you to make short terms visits for business meetings, discussions and training events. You are able to obtain either a 3 month single entry Saudi visa or a 6 month multiple entry Saudi visa. You are entitled to up to a maximum of a 30 day stay during each visit. The Saudi visa government will dictate whether a single or multi entry visa for Saudi is issued.

Saudi Work Visa This visa allows you to reside and work full time in Saudi. You will be required to provide the contract of employment, invites and other sites such as a medical report and attestation certificate of qualifications. Please visit our Saudi work visa page

Saudi Visitor Visa If you are planning to visit relatives or friends in Saudi you will be required to provide a Saudi visitor invite. This is relatively straightforward.

http://www.saudiarabiavisa.co.uk/visa-types-to-saudi.html


and

http://www.bakermckenzie.com/files/Uploads/Documents/Global%20Employment/Global%20Mobility%202013/bk_globalmobilityhandbook2013_saudiarabia.pdf

and

http://www.travelvisapro.com/blog/saudi-arabia-2/

and

http://www.magrath.co.uk/countries-2/middle-east/saudi-arabia-2


and

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/saudi-arabia/768382/yoderja/guide.pdf

Regards,
John

[jammex88]

Pasted below is from the Saudi Embassy website in Washington, which I would think is the best source of information, at least for a American. (The Saudi Embassy page in UK lists no such "Work Visit Visa".) The work visit visa link lists no restrictions on the type of work one can do while in SA. So if I am issued one, it seems like it should be fine legally.


تنبيــــــــه
إن كافة تأشيرات الدخول للمملكة التي يجري إنفاذها عن طريق صفحة السفارة وتعبئة الإستمارة بواسطة " إنجاز " تتم خلال فترة (24) ساعة ولايتم إبقاء أي جواز لوجود ملاحظات عليه ويعاد لصاحبه او لمكتب الخدمات في نفس اليوم لإستكمال اللازم ،وليس هناك رسوم إضافية من أجل الإستعجال في إصدار التأشيرة ،ورسوم التأشيرة هي
(108$) دولار، وتأشيرة رجال الاعمال (270$) دولار، مهما كانت مدة صلاحية التأشيرة وعدد السفرات. ،،،

All visa fees must be paid online through Enjaz website or through any of the Visa Offices Registered with Enjaz.
Please include copy of receipt with application. The Consulate Section will not accept visa fee payments.

Visa
Geographical Distribution of Consular Services
In order to facilitate efficient consulate services in the United States, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. is complemented by three consulates general. Consular services undertaken by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia and the consulates general are distributed according to geographic location. To determine which consulate can assist you, please consult the list of consular districts.

التأشير
العناوين المواضحة حسب التوزيع الجغرافي للخدمات القنصلية
من أجل توفير خدمات قنصلية سريعة وفعالة في الولايات المتحدة ، فقد تم دعم عمل السفارة في واشنطن بثلاث قنصليات عامة موزعة جغرافيا لتقديم الخدمات القنصلية . ولتحديد القنصلية العامة التي يمكن أن توفر لك المساعدة المطلوبة ، الرجاء مراجعة قائمة القنصليات وتوزيعها الجغرافي على الرابط أعلاه .


Adding-Newborn-to-Saudi-Residence-Card
Business Visa
Commercial Visa
Diplomatic and Official Visa
Employment Visa
Escort Visa
Extension of Exit/Re-Entry Visa
Family Visit Visa
Government Visit Visa
Personal Visit Visa
Residence Visa
Student Visa
Work Visit Visa
Hajj Visa
Umrah Visa

[Rostom]

[jammex88]

Correct, without the iqama you cannot open a bank account or do a number of other things.

[johnslat]

The ONLY visa that allows an EFL teacher to "work legally" is the one that provides an iqama i.e. the WORK visa:"This visa allows you to reside and work full time in Saudi."

Recruiters/contractors that arrange for "business visas" and "work-visit visas" for EFL teachers know they are illegal - but they don't care, They have wasta; you don't.

Regards,
John

[Rostom]

Indeed John.

Three things in the Magic Kingdom are important:
The first is to be legal. The second is to have an Iqama. The third is to follow the Golden rules.
King Rostom of Arabia.

[johnslat]

And in Saudi, as elsewhere, you must remember that the Golden Rule goes as follows:

Those that have the gold make the rules.

Regards,
John

[nomad soul]

[Yasuke]

- Teachers are generally employed on a 12-month renewable contract regardless if they're direct hire or with a contracting company. However, if a teacher is needed at an institute on a short-term basis, he/she will very likely be someone already in country who's employed by a Saudi contracting company that provides staffing for various clients and moves teachers from one place to another based on their clients' needs. This is why some contracting companies' job ads indicate several or more cities and why the actual job location isn't stated in the job offer or contract. Anyway, it's very rare that a Saudi institute would go through the hassle and cost of bringing an EFL teacher on a short, temporary work contract simply to teach a run-of-the-mill English class.

- Those who legitimately hold a biz or work visit visa aren't considered "personally hired" by a Saudi client/customer. The Saudi entity's contract is with the foreign company and not with any one individual employed by the company.

- Those who legitimately hold a biz or work visit visa don't need a Saudi bank account because they're paid by their employer via their bank in their home country. For example, an American technician with Ace Tech in Toledo, Ohio, is in KSA for a month to fix a Saudi company's doohickey. The Saudi client/customer then pays Ace Tech for services rendered, and in turn, ACME deposits the technician's wage as usual into his Toledo Bank and Trust account.

- Obviously, it's a red flag if the Saudi company sends you an employment agreement but then states you'll be issued a business/work visit visa.

That's a good piece of advice. My question is why do contracting companies do that?

[nomad soul]

[jammex88]

I guess it is a "red flag" if you know you are looking for something long term. If you don't want a long term contract, or don't know if you want a long term contract, then a "work visit visa" could be a good option. The other advantage is you don't have to go through medical, criminal checks, attestation of degrees, etc.

I will point out that, according to the Saudi embassy (Washington DC) website, a work visit visa does not prohibit employment as the business visa does. While the 'spirit' of the work visit visa may not be intended for English teachers, there is no language prohibiting it.