Job Discussion Forums

Karitos · Joined: 05 Oct 2010 Posts: 55

This question is for those who hold an MA and who have worked or are in the process of going to work in KSA.

If you applied to some other KSA cultural mission other than the USA one, please note, if you don't mind.

I have heard conflicting stories about whether one must only submit the highest relevant degree to SACM when applying for the work visa. One former teacher at KSAU-HS said that she had to submit both her BA and MA, despite her MA being TEFL-related. I know someone else working with IPA who only had to submit his MEd.

So I'm trying to get a handle on what seems to be the general consensus as far as what must be submitted to the SACM: highest relevant degree, or all degrees. If you want to let us know whether yours was a direct hire or contractor situation, that also would be helpful.

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

Do whatever the people you interviewed with and your visa agent tell you. I submitted my BA and TEFL because my MA was still being processed. Really the only thing that can happen is they say that they ignore one piece of paper or another.

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

The SACM in the US needs only to see the highest qualifying degree, even if that's an unrelated BA, regardless of who the employer is. In fact, the SACM's degree authentication form simply states: "Copy of college/university degree" and nothing about all university degrees. If in doubt, ask your employer. Anyway, I submitted my MAT and nothing else a little more than three years ago, and that's all that was required from my (direct-hire) employer and for authentication.

Frankly, those who say they were required to submit multiple degrees (and supporting documentation for each diploma) should indicate 1) the reason why; 2) who told them this was a requirement (e.g., a visa agent, the SACM, or the employer); and 3) if only one or both of their degrees were stamped by the SACM, which is key.

By the way, an early 2015 ad for KSAU-HS states the following: "A Masters or Bachelor Degree is required." So follow the job ads as to what academic qualification employers want to see and you'll be fine.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

My only contact with the SACM was when the office in Ankara phoned me up to say that everything was organised. It was not. Why Ankara ? I was living in Bulgaria which has no SACM and no Saudi Embassy.

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

For the UK, as at October, 2015, I was asked for my MA only. The guy at the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau specifically said that it was the highest level degree that was needed.

pastramionrye · Joined: 11 Oct 2015 Posts: 8

Funny you should mention this because I'm involved in something of a drama about it at the moment. If they demand to see my BA I'll have a problem. So I'm praying that my MA TESOL will be sufficient.

Do you guys think that whether or not they'll demand the BA as well as the MA TESOL will be determined more by the specific employer or by the temperament at SACB that day?

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

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

To be honest, I don't think it has anything to do with the employer (other than satisfying their initial job requirements). It is up to the cultural mission/bureau to decide what is needed for visa purposes. In my current job, there are a few teachers with just BA degrees so they obviously didn't submit anything else. The UK bureau asked for the higher degree so that is that.. until something changes!

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

Karitos · Joined: 05 Oct 2010 Posts: 55

pastramionrye · Joined: 11 Oct 2015 Posts: 8

I see people saying that what degrees are required is determined by the employer, which makes sense. But what I don't undertand is, how does SACM know what each eployer requires? Is there a set list for each school? Does SACM contact the employer each time they get an application? Also, how hard and fast is it? If an employer hires you, then why should anyone get rejected? Is it possible for the employer to contact SACM directly are sort of shepard an applicant though?

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

pastramionrye · Joined: 11 Oct 2015 Posts: 8

Hey Karitos. I was going to send you a PM, but I figured I'd post it hear so future newbies can learn from our shared situation.

I've spoken to a few visa agents, and I've gotten enough feedack saying that MA only is sufficient that I'm going to go for it. Not every one said that tough. A few said it was up to the employer, and one said that the BA usually gets done instead, but nobody said that BA was explicitly required. So people like us who (will) have MAs but lack appropriate BAs should be ok.

The other thing I asked about what American citizens with UK degrees. Sounds like SACB in London is the only place to submit to. After getting the degree back from them it goes directly to the embassy as part of the package; SACM stays out of it. Sadly, this too is not written in stone. Just what recruiters have told me.

Karitos · Joined: 05 Oct 2010 Posts: 55

Captain Willard · Joined: 11 Sep 2010 Posts: 251

The employer can get an authorization to submit the documents for the employee. I have seen them delegate the visa processing service to do this as well. Personally, I would prefer to do this myself as I don't like third parties having access to my personal records and SSN, etc.