Job Discussion Forums

[James Brown]

Do these exist at all? I don't feel like I could handle a year there.

[nomad soul]

Short-term opportunities rarely crop up; contracts are mainly for one year with some up to three years, depending on the country/position.

An alternative is to sign up with a Saudi contracting company that issues business visit visas, which would allow you to depart KSA at any time without needing an exit visa (although you'd be responsible for the cost of the flight out). You'd have to check out the Cafe's job board to see if any ads for KSA indicate this visa type. Be aware that the companies that sometimes use biz visit visas tend to be quite sketchy. Plus, this visa type is geared to visiting business professionals who are in KSA short term as opposed to teachers, and therefore, it does not equate to bona fide residence and employment status. Moreover, there's no guarantee you'd find a Saudi sponsor/company that consistently uses biz visit visas.

By the way, I'm a single female who managed Saudi Arabia just fine. But if you feel that giving up a certain lifestyle for one year is non-negotiable, then the Gulf isn't for you.