Job Discussion Forums

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Does anyone have any information on how to "unblock" a Saudi Bank account (in this case Riyadh Bank) once the account has been frozen because the holder of the account was unavoidably not able to return to Saudi before the expiration of the IQAMA?

I am now outside Saudi but still have the IQAMA in my possession, but not sure whether it would be better, or not, to send it back to the Saudi Government office responsible for issuing IQAMAS?

Did anyone here experience the same problem, but was subsequently able to open the account again?

This is a big issue because 6 years of severance pay + several salaries are at stake here, and I am getting conflicting advice from different sources. In addition I am responsible for 2 weeks of salary to the teacher (s) who replaced me during the last 10 days of the contract, as I was unable to return on time for those final two weeks. I would like to pay that teacher as soon as possible from the salary deposited (the salary was deposited in the Riyadh bank, before the short vacation, after which I was not able to return on time).

Did anyone return to Saudi on a "business visa" for example, with the ability to once again be able to use the account?

Another thought is - would there be a possibilty to "transfer" my Riyadh Bank account to another teacher at the university, as then the movement of funds might be possible again?

Finally, do you think there would be an advantage in basing myself in Bahrain, in order to try to get this issue resolved. I am guessing that Bahrain and Saudi have cordial relations, and the proximity might be advantageous? But perhaps not? I am assuming one can reside in Bahrain on a tourist visa.

Thanks in advance.

Ghost

coder · Joined: 12 Jun 2014 Posts: 94 Location: USA

delete

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

Gerund · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 80 Location: Amerika

I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would want or need an account in a Saudi bank. Considering how screwed up this country is and considering how incredibly easy it is to have your salary wired back to your home country and to use an ATM to take cash out of your account in that bank, what's the point?

Is it because you work for a Saudi company or ministry that deposits your salary in a Saudi bank? If I were in that situation, every pay day I'd be standing in line to get my money out and wire it home.

Why take the chance that some political or financial upheaval will block access to your funds? Even without that, anyone who has lived here for even a short time knows how prone they are to making a complete mess out of things--the OP's nightmare is a perfect example.

"Don't nervous, you get money someday inshallah." Yeah, right.

Mushkilla · Joined: 17 Apr 2014 Posts: 320 Location: United Kingdom

teacherwhy16? · Joined: 09 Mar 2014 Posts: 16

Makkah · Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Posts: 113

Gerund · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 80 Location: Amerika

Makkah · Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Posts: 113

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

The strange thing is that my bank account at the Riyadh Bank was frozen after my IQAMA expired around September 26, and I was not able to return to Saudi Arabia through no fault of my own. For that reason, I was not able to go through the final exit procedures on time.

I would like to go back to Saudi to sort out my financial affairs, but is there any way to do this if the original IQAMA has expired? I still have the IQAMA in my possession, though, although it has expired.

The strange thing is that I am still able to use my Riyadh Bank Titanium Master Card, and was even able to make a cash withdrawal as well as pay for a couple of hotel bills.

Does anyone have any advice on this and whether it is 'safe' to use the Riyadh Bank credit card, or would it best be to avoid using it?

Thanking you for any advice you may have.

Ghost

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

Not based on any knowledge of legalities or Saudi, but since it is the same bank, I assume that they deduct the monthly payment from your account. Personally I would be deducting the max through an ATM until my account was empty. But not one halala more...

Then you have no need to try to get into the country.

VS

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

Please take the time to read. He's using a credit card not a debit card.

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

I had a friend who exited a country and didn't intend to return. He maxed out his credit card from that country.

He was pursued by international debt collectors.

If your bank account is frozen, I don't see how you could use it to pay off your credit card. My friend avoided paying back anything on his credit card, but lives in fear of being caught. These agencies can be clever and cause problems with you getting visas and also contacting employers.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652