Job Discussion Forums

[RolledGold87]

This is my first post, although I have been lurking around for a while:

My degree from CSUCI is not recognized by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.

I know this because I did all of the paperwork and sent my documents all off to the travel agency that my recruitment company uses. The travel agency submitted the documents to the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission. This will be my first job outside the US as an ESL teacher.

My school, CSUCI, began accepting students 12 years ago in 2002. It's a legitimate school and I took all of the classes in person.

I submitted a notarized diploma copy, a copy of my official transcripts, an official letter stating that all of the classes were taken in person, and I even verified my degree and sent a copy from degree verify.com.

I have three questions:

1. What criteria is used to determine whether or not a school is recognized by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission?

2. What steps can I take to have my degree/school recognized by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission?

3. Are there any other ways around this?

I suspect that most people will not have this problem when applying for a visa but my school was relatively new and had not been added to the list of recognized schools yet. If you are also experiencing this problem, here is a solution that worked for me:
Drive or fly to the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.
Be as nice and genuine as you can and hope that they take pity on you enough to look at your application a second time.

In my case, the school was new to the Cal State system (the other Cal State schools are definitely approved) and a nice man that works there told me that he would check with his boss to get his approval before signing off on my degree.

In other words,
I drove a long distance to Washington D.C./Virginia from where I live, somewhere on the east coast.

I spoke to the people I needed to speak to within the building across the street from the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (you will have to go to the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to get the address or your travel agent) and my degree was eventually recognized.

They do not answer their phones or respond to e-mails so I decided, since I already had so much invested in the medical tests and learning about their culture and language, I would take the risk and go see if it would make a difference to talk to them in person. I heard of another person doing this successfully as well (through private channels) and so I went for it. Everyone there was very nice.

Note: There is no accurate list online saying which schools will not be accepted.

Good luck!

[nomad soul]

It's hard to say why your degree from Cal State U. CI was rejected; it's on WASC's system as currently accredited (http://www.wascsenior.org/institutions). You could certainly request official, written verification from WASC. Regardless, what was the SACM's exact wording as to why they didn't accept it? Moreover, did you contact them?

[RolledGold87]

This was the e-mail that I received from the travel agent who is currently my only source of information regarding the progress of my application:

"Your documents are back from the Saudi Cultural Mission. They have not authenticated you degree. The school you obtained your degree from is not recognizes by the Saudi government and without the authentication the employment visa cannot be issued.

Please speak to your recruiter and let us know what you all decide.

Thank you"

[Mushkilla]

[Mushkilla]

RolledGold87

I have double checked their web site, and it seems they have another list of not recognized (sort of black list) universities, and it seems your university is in the list: Check this link:
https://ru.mohe.gov.sa/univ.aspx?uc=searchbyname&stid=1

But the university listed is: CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CHICO?
And yours is: CALIFONIA SATE UNIVERSITY CHANNEL ISLANDS?

Are they two branches of a main university? May be the Ministry confused between the two?

[RolledGold87]

Nomad,
The link to the website you provided does not work when I click the link and I tried typing it into my internet browser without the extension (just the ".org") to no avail. What's that all about?

Mush,
I knew that there was such a list and have been to that website but cannot get passed that page that you sent me to because I don't read arabic.

[Mushkilla]

see my previous post, I have added some useful info for you.

[RolledGold87]

Deleted by poster

[RolledGold87]

OIC you edited.
CSUCI is not related to CSUchico in any sense other than that they are both California State Universities.
Mush,
Could you find my school on the list of recognized schools on that website? I cannot read arabic.


Nomad Soul,
you recommend asking for an official letter from the wasc,
is that the method by which the Saudi Cultural Commission verifies and recognizes schools?

[nomad soul]

[Mushkilla]

The link provided by nomad is working, and it shows the accreditation status for CSUCI .
http://www.wascsenior.org/institutions/california-state-university-channel-islands

I think your problem is not with accreditation, it is the black list from the Ministry of Higher Education.
Your school is listed in the black list.
https://ru.mohe.gov.sa/univ.aspx?uc=searchbyname&stid=1

[RolledGold87]

Thank you Nomad Soul for all the useful info.

Mush, I don't think that is the case based on the fact that CSU Channel Islands is not on the list on the website which you provided (only CSU Chico is) but I intend to find out and I'll let you know soon enough.

[nomad soul]

[RolledGold87]

That's exactly what I am hoping.
Writing them an E-mail tonight and calling tomorrow morning!

[nomad soul]

Good luck. Let us know the outcome.