Job Discussion Forums

[claka77]

Hello and greetings from China! I know there have been threads about this organisation (they seem to be from many years ago). Anyway, I'm an Aussie who's finishing a job in China in late June. I've considered work in the ME as I'd like more money. I've been offered a position with NITI/Kaplan in Dammam/Al-Hasa starting in July after Ramadan. However, the only way I can enter the KSA from China is on a business visa (I really don't want to fly home just to get a visa). Has anyone done this and been okay in the end (or if you got into trouble did anything bad happen)?

I've entered Korea and China on business visas (later to be converted to E-2 and Z visas respectively for each country). Is it worth the risk for the KSA (entering on the wrong visa)? Is it true that you have to make monthly visa runs to Bahrain? Is NITI/Kaplan a good/pleasant place to work at? Is overseas travel to the more liberal middle east (i.e. the UAE), Asia and Europe easy from the KSA? Is Dammam a liveable place for an agnostic white Aussie male? Is life/teaching easier/harder in the KSA than say a big city in China (I've lived in Shenzhen/Guangzhou)?

In China and Korea I've spent long amounts of time at home on the internet however in those places there are more recreational outlets for expats than there are in the KSA (in Korea I felt it was easier to have a good time and travel on the weekends while in China big crowds, censorship, less fellow teachers and lack of western tv/movies have sometimes made life feel like a struggle here outside of work). From what I've read online I'm having serious doubts about working in the KSA (I also feel as though that there's a lack of information about the country, school, town,etc). If you've worked in China/the KSA (or with NITI) I'd be appreciative for your advice/thoughts (it's quite possible I may stay in China but I'm still curious about the KSA).

[nomad soul]

[murray1978]

There are heaps of threads about this plus you can google it. I wouldn't recommend working for them but hopefully things are better.

Take the time to research and find out information rather then jump in blindly. A year is a long time especially if you are not happy.

[currentaffairs]

I know a friend working for them and I am fairly sure he has a proper work visa. I wouldn't go over to Saudi with a business visa because the regulations are a lot tighter now and most of these companies are shady and unreliable at the best of times.

[akoo1]

Just exactly which regulations have been tightened and how? Do you have a link to shed light on this "tightening"?

By shady and unreliable, do you just mean unethical and unprofessional? Or did you mean the employer is actually trying to screw with you on a regular basis and one never ends up getting what he/she wants because of the visa type?

I am trying to find out exactly what has changed in the past 18 months regarding this visa. I have of course been all over the search function with keywords "work visit" and "business visa".

[nomad soul]

[currentaffairs]

Nomad posted some good links with relevant info. In the last 18 months or so Saudi Arabia has tightened up on the visas and has demanded that employers bring people over with the right documentation. These kind of things go in cycles and it just seems to be that we are in iqama mode now..

When I first went over to Saudi in 2012 lots of companies were bringing people over on business visas. But, the following year the regulations were put into force and there was a crack down on 'illegal workers' which filtered down to include expats working without the correct papers. Many Kenyans, Somalis, Filipinos, Indians and whoever else were booted out of the country.

Yes, at the best of times these companies like EdEx, Kaplan, ICEAT and all the other cowboys are really shady. I know this from firsthand experience and from other people I know. They don't usually mess around with salary (one plus point) but you can easily get messed around with accommodation, your place of work, the extra classes, the crazy management, and sudden changes to curriculum blah blah...

[nomad soul]

FYI: You'll see "work permit" mentioned in the labor law. That's essentially your iqama, which indicates (in Arabic) both your profession (i.e., English teacher) and the name of your employer.

Anyway, that's not the OP's situation if he/she decides to bite the bullet and take the offer with a business visit visa.

[claka77]

Thank you guys for your opinions, it's much appreciated! I've decided not to go to the KSA for now. Going on a business visa and with the issue of safety I've decided it isn't worth it for now (I believe there was a bomb attack very recently in the town where the job is). Perhaps I'll reconsider the KSA another time.

[akoo1]

The attacks were last year. The recent attacks (last week) were near Dammam. So that mean we should stop going to Dammam?

That sort of thinking never makes sense. For all you know, you'll be attacked in London or Paris next month.

While the situation is the Middle East shifts as much as the sand.

[veiledsentiments]

The last two explosions hit Shia mosques during Friday prayers. So unless you are Shia and plan to attend one of the hundreds of these mosques, your danger is pretty limited, I'd say.

VS

[nomad soul]

[akoo1]

Making hasty decisions based on fear is ultimately, self defeating.

It's also fitting of the bad attitude people bring with them over here.

As if it makes a difference when you come to KSA.

It's like saying I'll save my trip to NY for next year (when the crime rate comes down). People flock to dangerous cities like London, Paris and Los Angeles daily without fear. Why?

In fact KSA is safer than any of those places.

It's paradoxical, but it makes sense (if you're willing to look passed your self-imposed limitations)

[nomad soul]

[teflguyusa]

i think this incident gave the OP a reason not to go, from his original post he did not seem very keen in working and living in the KSA... That's life, we all choose our paths...