Job Discussion Forums

SheikMilkShake · Joined: 02 Jul 2014 Posts: 84

Hello All
I am new to this forum but no so new in Saudi Arabia. Re: final visa, any info and steps to follow? I browsed some topics here, and I believe someone should arrange it, not the expat himself. would it be a sponsor, or can we go direct to the Immigration office and they will issue it, in that case, do we need a termination letter/"completion of contract" certificate? What is the main reason that someone needs an final visa to leave the country?
Thanks
SMS

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

BajaLaJaula · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 267

Make sure you keep the final exit paper with the stamp from the customs official when you go through customs on your way out. They will keep your iqama but should give you the final exit paper. This will be requested by another employer should you decide to go back for another job.
Also, as stated, get the LONO (Letter of No Objection) from your employer. Future employers will ask for this, even though not officially required.
When I left last year, the customs official took my iqama, but also kept my final exit paper. This became an issue for me because employers now ask for a copy of this to show that I left the kingdom without any problems (all debts paid).

SheikMilkShake · Joined: 02 Jul 2014 Posts: 84

Thanks for your replies. I and my former colleagues always had a visa ( 3 months extendable) from the university and final visa was not required to leave the country for good or for vacation. A friend of mine has been stuck as his kafil said that they issued a final visa but he didn't leave and it was his fault and reported him as " Absconding". ( he had a row with one of the junior managers / Saudi guy straight from the high school). He is writing to MOL and MOFA. He was the last one standing and no one in our batch is in the country, there are some new faces but they don't know n cant get involved. The truth ( he said ) is that he never got contacted by anyone nor received a final visa via email or anything. we always managed to keep our passport with us so exchanging a passport with iqama is not he case with him. embassy ( ok, I give you a hint, one of the UK, USA, Canada, NZ, & OZ) and embassies/websites said that they do not get involved in personal or labor dispute with Saudi employers. Is it normal? How did he go about it? he is with a contractor/middle guy, not direct hire.

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

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

If you are legit and have an Iqama, you should get a Final Exit Visa - organised for you. Try to get a LONO/NOC from the employer as well.

If you are foolish enough to be working on a business visa, may the Lord have mercy on you.

SheikMilkShake · Joined: 02 Jul 2014 Posts: 84

Thnx nomad soul, I emailed him but no replies yet, probably nothing has been going on as Ramadan and upcoming vacation, etc.
Scot47, I'm not working anymore. but it was what they called " Government visit visa" sponsored by the University as my sponsor, but no idea what it was called in Arabic ( the visa stamp is in Arabic). Yes, a bunch of American and canadian fools were also working wit/like me..

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

http://www.saudiembassy.net/services/Government-Visit-Visa.aspx

It is a business visa under another name. You were working illegally.

SheikMilkShake · Joined: 02 Jul 2014 Posts: 84

Thanks for yr info. Scot47, so glad that I found out this illegal work visa after I had left that job. Again, only Saudi nationals can approach the authorities to process visas and iqama application, etc. so, I doubt that we were the guilty party. We were happy to provide anything they asked, med cert, qual docs, etc. For us, we were ok as we could leave the country every 3 months ( or whenever we had a long vacation). There have been a lot of changes since I left that job and nowadays, Saudi employers must apply for iqama & work permit , then register all foreign workers on line in MOI + MOL systems, and set up bank accounts & deposit system, , apply for social security for their employees, Saudi and expats alike. I welcome these labor reforms in KSA. IN KSA, one must take plenty of risks about working under so-called illegal work visa, once on iqama, to be at the mercy of the sponsor as when to leave for good or for vacation, delayed or non payment of salary, other social and religious constraints, etc.
" Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before." Mae West

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

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

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

It's not quite empty because another company in the KSA may call inquiring about the ending of a teacher's employment. If the company says there is a contractual clause etc., for some reason the teacher may be denied employment regardless of the fact that it is not legally binding, which I think it is not. They are like that here.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Employers speak to each other. Particularly about troublesome honkies.

SheikMilkShake · Joined: 02 Jul 2014 Posts: 84

I have heard loads of stories from my friend, so let me share this info for future KSA teachers.
1. Non Objection Letter/Certificate is not needed any more if someone left on final visa.. that means his employer/sponsor has cleared him and any problem after he left KSA ( loans, debts, un paid bill or criminal, etc) will be on the employer/sponsor. if a new employer asked for this NOC, that means, he is trying to make an excuse to drop you, as no such thing is needed, or he is not familiar with the new system.
2. Scot 47, its nice to hear that in yr time, employers spoke to each other.
Not any more in most cases these days. A manager from SBC might be working for Ed Ex this year, ( vice versa) and he will not follow up as he hates the previous company. As long as a teacher had no previous formal legal conviction in KSA ( how could he come back, he would have been blacklisted for 3-5 years), talk/gossip will be cheap.
If someone had big trouble in KSA, I would wonder what his reason to go back and work there again as conditions would be so unfavorable for him.
The best is not to mention on the work history that " I worked in KSA". No one for the new employer to contact and inquire. As you are not working for them, these Saudi employers do feel bad and they will make their problem yrs. They are always the good employers and you must be the one who got fired and you had to leave, even you resigned. No one from yr previous company would vouch for you, anyway.
3. About working legally on iqama and leaving on final exit: not sure but I heard that an expat would be banned for 2 years to apply for another work visa. No one can just leave on final visa , and apply for another work visa in 2 month's time. ( worth the try and see) It could be the reason that many Asian and arab expats waive their rights (giving up final 2 month salary, ESB, etc) to be granted a transfer of service/ iqama because it would be so difficult to get another work visa again.
4. So, what if someone worked there without iqama? Recently, all foreigners entering or leaving KSA must register their finger print scan in Immigration system, it would be useless to wash the previous passport or a new passport would be useless. I have no idea how long KSA system stores these datas. What if they asked " you entered KSA on visit/business visa for 9 months, did you work etc? The system has all the dates of each departure and arrival. Risky business. What if you changed yr name to John Doe to Ricky Martin in your new passport with the same fingerprints? Kim Kardarshian to Kim Kardarshian West may not make a big difference, as a now-married person.
Have a great day

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Employers still speak to each other. Technically the LONO is not required but you will find that many reputable employers still ask for one. For example Government Universities.

Bottom feeders in the EFL job market do not - they rely on bringing teachers in with illegal business visas.

I will leave the Shaking Milky to figure out for himself which kind of employer he was with.