Job Discussion Forums

waltgomez · Joined: 03 Jul 2014 Posts: 105

I keep hearing that there are companies that refuse to issue a LONO to teachers who quit or got laid off/fired; thus effectively banishing the teacher from other possible jobs in Saudi.

I hear different stories. One is- if a US citizen, you're banned for 3 years. Others say -two. Others say- indefinitely, as long as there are Saudi stamps in the passport. What's the deal?

What do people do?

Back in the old days, you simply went and got a new passport. Then you came back- there are no Saudi visas in it right?. But now, they have all these fingerprints, retina scans, pictures of you, etc. Can people still go home and get a new passport to be able to return?

Any advice? Anecdotes?

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

I've heard three.

I put in my resignation and got a LONO and so have others who quit with notice and requested one. Only guy who was denied kind of made himself a nuisance to everyone.

Leno · Joined: 20 Dec 2015 Posts: 51

To waltGomez
SOmeone explained this information to me, and bear in mind that things keep changing in that conuntry.

1. No employer has been issuing LONO for decades now, and it does not work like a recommendation letter. no one needs that for visa application for decades, if you had proof of final exit, a print out or stamp in your passport.

Under labor law, ALL employers in KSA , upon terminating the work relationship, MUST issue a wrok certificate that states " name, (passport number), nationality, place of work, duties ( e.g. teaching kids general English, etc, duration and dates of employment from .. to...,
thanking notes, signature, name of writer, stamp from the company or work place, and detail contact info".

They must not say anything in the certificate that will have negative impact on your future employment.

2. the latest info is that either someone resigned or got sacked, and if he was holding an iqama and departing KSA with a final exit,
the ban will be for 3 years, regardles of your conduct in KSA. but some said that the ban is for domestic workers ( house maids, or house drivers) only.

3. UPon enteirng KSA under any type of visa, all foreigners are fingerprinted. That means, if you used a new passport wihtout any old KSA visa in it, to enter wih a new visa, I guess that will be OK, as long as you were not arrested for any crime etc previously, and if someone offered you a job under work visa, and the Saudi embassy issued a visa and the employer arranged a ticket for you to enter KSA.

Banning a foreigner is nothing to do with Saudi law, but at the dicretion of the employer or manager, for no apparent reason.

I hope that helps.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

The Letter of No Objection is no longer part of the government system, although some companies still ask for one, for some reason. With that in mind you won't need a LONO to get another employment visa from the government, regardless if your former company issues you a LONO or not. I know this from first hand experience. The only employer I have ever seen require a LONO recently is Vinelli.