Job Discussion Forums

Arenta · Joined: 24 Jul 2016 Posts: 125

I've been offered a teaching job in KSA on a business visa. I've never had one of these before so have really no knowledge of them. I read the stick thread and understand that people are not allowed to open a bank account only having a business visa.

Can anyone with actual experience of working on a business visa tell me how the salary is paid without having an account? Personally, I can only think of cash in a situation like this but it seems odd and risky. Or is it paid into your account back home and you use your ATM card from back home as well? If so, surely that's expensive in terms of bank charges on foreign currency?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There is much debate here and elsewhere. No bank account is one of the many handicaps you will face.

Look around here using the SEARCH facility and you will find several heated exchanges, pro and con.

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

Siobhan 22 · Joined: 13 Jul 2016 Posts: 170

Long story short, the business visa has three main drawbacks - no Saudi bank account, no care hire and no sim card.

A lot of agencies will pay into your own country bank account and a sim card can be picked up at the airport.

I think it's ca. 400pounds for a business visa and you don't have to return to your home country.

For a work visa (Iqama) the cost will be over 1000 pounds and a return to your home country. Even reputable employers like KFUPM do not reimburse these.

For other contractors, you could end up in the position of being in your probationary period chicking it in (or they send you packing) and you'll not get the expenses back. If you're only there for 2-3 months the visa costs will eat into your net earnings.

Go with the business visa if you have a relatively short-term perspective - certainly at this time olf the year.

1chunk · Joined: 05 Aug 2014 Posts: 123

Based on my years of experience...If I were to leave Saudi and return, I would only accept the business visa if the place/company were reputable.

Often they will bring you on a business visa if they don't have work visa allocation from the ministry. And that only happens for a reason...such as if they are in the 'red category'.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Health cover ? Check that one out. i would be VERY worried about the prospect of having no access to medical treatment. KSA ain't Kansas.

mahdi1432 · Joined: 22 Aug 2013 Posts: 43 Location: Ar-Riyadh, KSA

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Government hospitals can be used if you are working for an employer that is part of the State (eg KFUPM, IPA) If your employer is not in that category it is a legal requirement for the employer to provide health insurance. This is NOT the case if you are on a business visa. If you go down that route you will be responsible. What do you plan doing after being in an automobile accident ? Or like me requiring bypass surgery at a cost of SAR37,000 ?

thefinalexit · Joined: 24 Jul 2017 Posts: 7 Location: Eastern Provinces

A business visa does not mean employers cannot arrange health insurance for you. A few years ago, I worked for a year on a business visa and health insurance cover was included, class B, and I used it at the dentist and hospital.
Many of my current colleagues in KSA are still on business visas and they have medical insurance, class A.
Most of the inconveniences of a business visa can be bypassed (SIM at airport, money transferred by company or a friend etc), but you are working illegally in the Kingdom and have no real legal rights if things go wrong with your company.

Arenta · Joined: 24 Jul 2016 Posts: 125