Job Discussion Forums

taylorfamily · Joined: 19 Apr 2014 Posts: 16

Hello, I am living in Hong Kong and will be relocating to KSA this August.

I have all my documents ready for the working visa besides the medical exam, which apparently I MUST do in America.

Although, I do not want to loose thousands of dollars worth of work here in Hong Kong plus pay another thousand bucks in plane tickets just for a medical exam.

I am curious if anyone has any advise or knowledge on completing my medical exam while remaining in Hong Kong. Then all my documents, passport included, will be mailed from HK to the visa agency and back to me saving me a mountain of time and cash!

My understanding is the exam must be done by a licensed US medical doctor and that the form and lab results must be signed by the doctor.

My initial ideas:
1. Get exam done in Hong Kong, then mail the results to an American doctor in America who will review the results, complete the forms and then this completed form will be mailed to the visa agent.. (Is this possible?)

2. Same as above, but actually fly to America to finish the exam, assuming I must be present for the completion of the form. Although, already have the lab results which takes 5-15 days to process from a Hong Kong clinic. (Would foreign - Hong Kong - medical lab results be valid to an American doctor?)

3. By dumb luck, find a doctor in China or Hong Kong which has a American Medical License and get the entire exam done in that clinic, then mail the completed form to America.

Does anyone see any of these ideas working? Do you have any other thoughts?

Thank you!

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

Be aware the examining physician's license number has to be verified by the state's Dept. of Health or College of Physicians. Also, you're required to submit copies of all the lab results along with the medical report to the Saudi Embassy for visa processing. That said, I suggest you take a look at the medical report form to get an idea of what the process entails and what's required.

taylorfamily · Joined: 19 Apr 2014 Posts: 16

Thank you for he prompt reply. I am aware that they must be approved and licensed.

My main curiosity is if the lab reports could be done in say Hong Kong by a doctor who I assume would not have an American medical license if it could still be used assuming a doctor in America, with the proper license, reviews the lab reports and completes the form.

I know its a very odd and specific question, but I am trying find a clever way to avoid potentially unneeded cost from flights and lost work.

Any thoughts?

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

However, the labs hold US licensure. The tests are standardized and the test reports are detailed (in English) indicating every tested element, level, reference range... In fact, one of my tests consists of more than a page of data. Plus, all of my test results include the name of the MD or PhD supervising the lab and the lab's contact number, address, etc.

Anyway, I doubt you'll find a (reputable) US doctor willing to put his/her license to practice at risk by confirming in writing the validity of lab tests performed in a foreign country.

Helpmefindausername · Joined: 20 May 2014 Posts: 28 Location: UK

Did you ever figure a way? I have also accepted work in Saudi. I am American, currently living in England with my husband, on a legal settlement visa. We don't have the cash for me to fly to the States for a physical.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

To get a visa, where you work in the KSA legally, you have to be physically present in the USA when applying for the visa. You could try to skirt the requirement by finding a physician outside of the US with a medical license in your home country. You would also have to have all the documents put together and sent back and forth by someone located in your country. In addition there is another problem, you have to supply a phone number where you can be contacted by the embassy. As far as that goes, you could entrust someone to handle any phone calls from the embassy and essentially tell the embassy that they are you. What happens though if they want to do a Skype interview with you? Also you have to send them your passport while you're in another country. How are you going to do that when it takes anywhere from 3 weeks to several months for the visa to be processed? The only other option for you is an illegal business visa. You can make a lot of money in the KSA while you're on a business visa. People do it all the time. Your choice.

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

Rostom · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 3:35 pm Post subject:

Helpmefindausername · Joined: 20 May 2014 Posts: 28 Location: UK

Thanks, Rostom. I was hoping to fall into that category since I have been legally residing in the UK for over a year. The info on it has been sketchy at best. I will update.

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

The Saudi consulate services info on the UK site is sparse. However, the consulate's US site states the following: "The applicant must be a US citizen, a permanent resident or a holder of a valid residency visa in the United States of America. (i.e.: student visa, H1, etc.)." If your settlement visa is the equivalent in the UK, then it seems you should be able to do your visa processing there.

Do update on what you find out.

Helpmefindausername · Joined: 20 May 2014 Posts: 28 Location: UK

Thanks Nomad Soul. This positive info is putting me more up to the task. Smile

hanifa · Joined: 09 May 2013 Posts: 1

Hi
I am under my husband's Iqama. I have been offered a job at a university and will need to return to my point of origin (USA) to obtain an employment visa. I need to have degrees attested and a medical examination completed. I have health insurance in KSA, so is it possible for me to have the medical examination completed in KSA and attested somewhere in the country that way I do not need to pay countless dollars in doctor fees in the USA?

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

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 11:46 pm Post subject:

Dear Hanifa,

Have you asked your university employer whether your taking the medical in Saudi would be OK? Of course, it's probably far too logical and sensible to be allowed, but it can't hurt to ask.

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

On three occasions, with two different employers I have processed visa applications for KSA in a country of which I am not a citizen and where I was not resident. I used to live in Bulgaria, where there is no Saudi Embassy.

First time was for the Airline. I lived in BG then and the Airline processed my paperwork in London. The other two occasions were for KFUPM. Processed in Turkish Consulate in Istanbul with help of SACM in Ankara. That was difficult but I really needed the job !