Job Discussion Forums

snowsilver · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 34

My son is in Riyadh teaching. My daughter-in-law remained behind to get the house cleared and give notice to her employer (the school was very anxious to get my son there asap).

Now she is trying to get there and has been told she needs a "spousal" visa, but can't seem to find anyone in the US who is proficient in handling such a visa. It seems to me it should be a piece of cake, but she's talked with Travisa and others. She will be leaving from NYC.

Anyone got any advice on who can help with this?

Thanks

Amerrycan Muslim · Joined: 01 Jul 2014 Posts: 51 Location: KSA

Does your son have an iqamah already? If he doesn't, then the simple answer is she can't. If he does have an iqamah then he needs to talk to his employer's HR dept.

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

snowsilver · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 34

He does have his iqumah. He also has her visa approved by SA. All she needs to do is from the USA end. But there seems to be some debate as to whether she needs a "residence" visa or a "spousal" visa. She is being told "residence", but can't seem to find a qualified visa agent here in the US to handle this.

She is also taking a dog. Dog's visa is all finished. THAT was the one they were worried about and that went though with not a problem.

She has completed her medical here and she was told that was all she needed. But now she can't seem to find out what kind of visa she should be applying for. And believe me, the employer is no help. They say spousal, but leave it up to her husband to get it done. They will pay for everything, but just shrug off all other questions.

She thought Travisa would be able to handle the whole thing (they did her husband's), but they are saying they don't do residence visas.

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

This must be arranged by your son... in Riyadh. You may want to direct him to the information in this thread about one of the teachers bringing over his wife.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=106182

I am concerned that since your son's school was in a big rush to get him there, they didn't get him the proper visa, so he won't have the iqama (work visa) required for him to bring her over. (many of these employers take shortcuts that benefit them, but cause great problems for the teacher) Did he do a major medical exam and lots of paperwork with the embassy there before he went? If he didn't, tell her to keep her job and the house... as she may not be able to go at all.

VS

snowsilver · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 34

Thanks for all your help everyone.

Yes, he has an employment visa. This is his second stint over there so he knew what to do for himself. But he was single last time.

I'm forwarding all this on to them.

snowsilver · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 34

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

Hopefully, Sicklyman will see this thread. In the meantime, I strongly suggest you also post on one or more of the numerous expat Saudi forums, which cater to a more diverse group of members---many of whom bring their families to KSA. You're likely to get a faster response if your questions haven't already been asked by others. Do an Internet search on expat forum Saudi.

By the way, your daughter-in-law's timing isn't the best since it's currently Ramadan. Offices are understaffed and many of those who are working tend to be crankier than usual because they're fasting.