Job Discussion Forums

Ireland00 · Joined: 11 Apr 2015 Posts: 17

I understand that this is wholly up to my sponsor, but in general, can I expect to be able to leave every 2 months for a few days?

I have not even got a contract yet, because this is such a big factor in deciding if I will go there.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

If your employer lets you have a multiple exit, this is easier. At KFUPM I had colleagues who left every weekend to go to Bahrain. Some had apartments in that troubled town.

Ireland00 · Joined: 11 Apr 2015 Posts: 17

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

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

What is your priority ? Partying and travel. or saving ?

as others have said here you might be better considering China or Korea

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

I managed to luck my way into one of the "Upper bracket" (above 12,000 SAR) jobs with multiple exit/re-entry. A monthly Bahrain trip is generally around $500 for a decent hotel, transportation, partying at nice restaurants/clubs and some shopping. For a weekend, it is pricey but don't see why leaving twice a month to go there or even Dubai to splurge and feel normal would be so bad.

For me, it's worth it to have some sanity and I still manage to save money - if you have paid accommodation, then it is easy to live comfortably thrive off of 3,000 SAR a month. I still eat out once a week at a nice restaurant, buy nice food the rest of the week and occasionally buy something nice like a game, clothes or guitar and not feel too guilty because you're still sending the better chunk of it to your home country.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

Better to hunker down in Saudi Arabia for a year maybe a little less and spend $500 US for two weeks in Thailand staying at a decent medium priced hotel like The Atlanta for $28 a day. Actually for first comers two weeks will likely cost $1000 because of a little more splurging on bars, sightseeing, traveling.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

In order to persuade me to spend two weeks in a resort in Thailand you would have to pay me a lot more than US$1000.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

mnruman · Joined: 30 Mar 2015 Posts: 93 Location: Manchester, UK

How much would if cost to travel to Dubai for th weekend from lets say Jeddah.

For flight, hotel etc

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

SR3000 (= US$800) upwards. I can think of better ways to spend the money

mnruman · Joined: 30 Mar 2015 Posts: 93 Location: Manchester, UK

For thats amount I would ahve to agree, I thought it would be a lot cheaper due to the two countries being right next to each other but seems like I was way off the mark.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

From Jeddah there are now hardly any practical destinations for short breaks.. Asmara was one. So was Sharm El Skeikk or Cairo. Yemen is a definite no-no.

Istanbul is only 3 hours by plane.

bigdurianthesecond · Joined: 16 Jan 2016 Posts: 62 Location: The Base