Job Discussion Forums

[intlduke]

Let me start off by saying I've read through quite a few threads already over the last few months and understand that a certain degree of uncertainty is par for the course with KSA jobs. However, at what point do you walk away?

I was hired directly by a COE school back in April with a start date of August 16. As of today, August 9, I have yet to receive vital documents needed for my visa; all I need are two PDFs to be emailed to me and/or the visa agent. I was informed that the school already had the block visa approved, so I would assume that's not an issue.

I've got all of my documents -- medical report, verified degrees, criminal record check, etc. -- completed and ready to go and have an agent lined up as well. The school HR staff (expat staff if that makes any difference) know this, and yet it's radio silence.

Is this normal? How late is too late? At what point should a person move on? Is this a sign of things to come? Or am I just being anxious and impatient?

It's quite frustrating as I am looking forward to the job, and in fact left a decent job to take this job, which pays better and is in an area of the world I have wanted to visit for some time.

I'd be interested to hear from others who may be experiencing something similar at the moment, or have gone through this before.

Thanks in advance.

[scot47]

Have you tried phoning them ? Making e-mail contact ?

[nomad soul]

Which College of Excellence is it?

[scot47]

The HR function may have been Saudi-ised.

[currentaffairs]

Sounds fairly normal but I understand frustrating.. I would make contact and see where they are with things.

With my last two employers (Saudi contractor and CoE) I was two and a half months and six weeks late in getting over to Saudi from the mid August start date.

[intlduke]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I've contacted them a number of times. The silence is a recent trend, although after accepting the offer communication did also become sporadic.

I understand things can be hectic and operating offshore entails numerous and often unforeseeable snags. The bit that's concerning is simply not saying "Sorry, we're still working it out, hang in there, the school still exists and you still have a job with us."

I'll wait it out but am also back on the job hunt.

[2buckets]

Just Saudi being Saudi.

[nomad soul]

[intlduke]

Just updating for those following along at home...

The ball is rolling (again) and things are looking like they'll work out. I guess it pays to simply wait.

[currentaffairs]

Good to hear.. I am about to send off my application in the next few days. Keep us updated on how long it takes you to get out there!

PS I am guessing late August on my end..

[nomad soul]

[In the heat of the moment]

I think the visas for the Hajj (commencing approximately 22 September this year) can also slow down processes for working visas - at least, this was the reason the Saudi Cultural Bureau gave me several years ago.

[intlduke]

For those following along at home...

Arrived two weeks late

Major portions of contract not being honored due to not having a work visa/iqama

Can't get a sim card, health insurance, bank account or 3g modem, again due to not having a work permit

Giant stack of bills sitting in my suitcase with no way to transfer out of the country

English program is a joke and the teaching hours have already gone up and we're all running from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, some days there is no lunch because of extra classes

It's an absolute shit show, but hey, I've already made 3,000 USD...

[scot47]

No Iqama ? Hmmmmmmmm.

To transfer money you may have to find someone who has an Iqama who you can trust to send the money out.


Moral of the tale ? Do not come on a Business Visa.

[hash]