Job Discussion Forums

murray1978 · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 84

Hello,

I frequent the forums on this site and have did a check for these two topics but can't seem to find anything that answers my questions.

I have all of my documents ready to send to an agent in Ottawa to work on my Employment visa. Everything is in order from completed medical checks, criminal record check with fingerprints, BA with sealed transcripts, CELTA with grades, Letters of Experience and Reference for nine years of ESL (including my 16 months in KSA) plus certificates.

My question is this: I am a Canadian and have been searching everywhere for how long the employment visa should take. I do realize that due to the Paris attacks that visas may take longer. However, can someone reading this give me a rough outline on how long it could take? I have heard from someone that it could be as fast as two weeks and as long as two months.

I signed a contract with Dammam University. From what I can gather, it is a huge campus and is a large city. Has anyone ever worked there? I am assuming that because it is a medical university, I may have higher level students then my previous job in Al Wajh at a TVTC.

If anyone can tell me anything about these two queries, I would really appreciate it!

Cheers,

Murray1978

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

The agent will speed things up. However, it is anyone's guess as to how long it will take.. The first semester is nearing an end, and there is quite a gap until the second semester which starts around the third week of January depending on the university's schedule.

murray1978 · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 84

Thank you for the info!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I passed Dammam U several times while travelling around Eastern Province, but not once did I come across an English teacher from there. I sometimes wondered where they were all hiding.

murray1978 · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 84

Hi Scot,

When I briefly worked for IIL/ Niti/ Kaplan in the spring of 2014, we were short staffed and brought several teachers in from Dammam U. They were great people and I remember them telling me to get out of IIL asap and latch on to a uni.

From what I can gather, the campus looks quite big and there is a large foreign staff there.

Thank you for the post.

BajaLaJaula · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 267

Hiding and holed up on their compound, no doubt. We had a young fellow, while working in Jeddah, that never left the compound in the 3 years that he was there.

Some folks like living in a fish bowl, I guess.

TEFLonWi · Joined: 22 Apr 2014 Posts: 7

I am also curious to know what teaching the University of Dammam prep year is like... Are the instructors real native speakers or are they bussed in from the subcontinent and so on with an array of fake diplomas as at so many other places in KSA? Are the management staff professional and supportive, or do they jump out of their skin every time a prep year student pops up with a so-called complaint? Are sensible teachers with an international outlook in charge, or is the tone really set by parents who believe their kids can do no wrong? I'd be pleased to hear from anyone who has actually worked there or who at least has direct experience of the UoD prep year (and not from anyone who just wants to tick me off for being a bit cynical and advise me to work elsewhere!) Many Thanks...

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I think much of the teaching is done in Arabic. Medicine is taught - at least in theory - through the medium of English but I have my doubts about other disciplines.

The University does not have a high reputation. Sorry to be uncharitable !

http://www.uod.edu.sa/en/about-us