Job Discussion Forums

[lampshade]

Hi all,

I signed a job offer from University of Jeddah, got the visa request letter, and applied for a visa in Washington, DC. But the embassy won't issue the visa, the reason being they want the visa request letter sent directly from UJ to them.

But for the past 2 months UJ has not replied, either to my mails, or from the embassy itself.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[Dr X]

Does your 'visa request letter' include a block visa number with date and position?

The block visa number is issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a copy send to the embassy in Washington.

[lampshade]

curiously, no.
but in reading the mail again from UJ, they said they sent it long ago directly to the SACM.
in my telephone contact with the SACM, the clerk never mentioned the block number; only that UJ must send it directly to them.
so im even more confused now.
thanks.

[Dr X]

Visa authorization number: This is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia, and forwarded directly to the Consular Section at the Saudi Embassy in the United States. It serves as proof to the Saudi Embassy which is processing your visa application, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia has authorized you to apply for a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. Without receipt of this document, the Saudi Embassy cannot approve your visa (even if you have obtained all the necessary visa documents and completed the required visa steps on your end). The Power of Attorney authorizes your recruitment company / visa processing agency to submit your visa application to the Saudi Embassy on your and your sponsor's behalf.
https://www.hziegler.com/articles/visa-process-for-saudi-arabia-for-americans.html

[lampshade]

thanks.
i have written the SACM for clarification.

[lampshade]

the letter i have from UJ is apparently my visa request letter - it is all in arabic, even the numbers, so it looks different from the normal one. so that is why i could not tell if it had a visa block number or not.

[nomad soul]

When does UJ expect you to deploy to KSA? They may be holding off if you're to arrive in country more than a month from now.

[lampshade]

no date was ever given as to when i should arrive in ksa.

[lampshade]

Any further advice regarding this situation? I still have no word from UJ.

[nomad soul]

[lampshade]

i understood the job to start this past fall. but no specific month or dates were discussed. last year it took several months for me to get a visa. and so i assumed that no one could schedule a starting date when the issuance of a visa is subject to such a wide time frame.

i have written my contact person and the recruitment team numerous times to no avail.

[Dr X]

[lampshade]

Last year I entered KSA. then this year i exited without problem.

The clerk at SACM says the problem lies with my sponsor, UJ.