Job Discussion Forums

[Arab Strap]

What's the going rate these days for a iqamma?

How much would it cost to put a wife and two kids on one?

Any gen much appreciated.

AS

[scot47]

500 SR is what I paid. Not sure if it is extra for a family. There may be a charge if you change it, ie add family after you get the original.

It will NOT break the bank !

[publixteacher]

I am heading to Saudi for the first time in (I hope!) within the next 2 weeks. (I've been told that a seat is hard to come by in August-so am waiting for an opening, I guess). Anyway, I knew about having to get an Iqamma when I get there, but I don't recall being told that I had to pay for it! Is that a standard thing? Or is it possible that my employer is going to handle that like they handle the flight?
Awaiting a reply.

[Gnome]

The first place they will take you to is the security office on the compound. They will take care of everything. You probably should bring 4-6 passport pictures, since they may need them for their files and for your igamma. Of course, these days everything may be done digitally, but its good to be on the safe side. The cost of the various items will probably be deducted from your first pay check. You will also be eligible for an advance, so you can buy a few things. Good luck!

[scot47]

Employers get it for you. They should pay for it but some ask the employee to stump up. Not worth making an issue about.

For those not in the know the "Iqama" is the Saudi ID card for foreigners that you should carry with you at all times. You also need it for bank transactions etc.

[Harold Jones]

As with Publixteacher, I'm awaiting my flight to KSA. I have the work visa through and hope the Iqamma will allow me to travel around the country at some point in time. There remains some doubt about being able to visit neighbouring countries such as Bahrain but, hopefully, all will be sorted out in due course. On reading contributions to this site on the subject of exit visas, it seems that there shouldn't be too much difficulty in making arrangements for them.

To digress slightly, I have a UAE driving licence and wonder if this will allow me to drive in KSA , (as it does in Oman?)

[Bebsi]

Very rare (for these days) posting from me as I am currently on extended honeymoon driving around France with the new Mrs. B, who says hello to all.

For the last few years, expats living in KSA do not need a sponsor's (employer') consent in order to obtain a single exit/re-entry visa. However, to get a multi-extry (which costs SAR 500, is valid for six months and allows you to leave and return at will... very handy for those "cultural" excursions to the likes of Bahrain) you still need the employer's consent. KFUPM, the Royal Commission and a number of other establishments (mostly government bodies, it has been noted) give their consent as a matter of course. On the other hand, certain sponsors (mostly in the private sector, and this includes some contractors to government bodies) refuse to allow a multi-visa.

I cannot understand why this is so, and can only hazard a few guesses, not least among them being a fear of people doing runners. As it happens, it appears to me that those bodies that allow the multi-visa, have very few, if any, such experiences. I will comment in a later posting (when I am back in KSA with time on my hands) on this whole subject at length, as it is one of my hobby horses.

Regarding driving-licences, I assume that yes, your UAE permit will also be valid in Saudi. Certainly, my Saudi licence was fully acceptable in lieu of a local one, while I was on a short-term stint in Qatar. That country, like UAE, KSA, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq and Bahrain, are all members of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and as far as I know, they recognise each others' driving licences.

I hope this is of help. Now, back to my Coquilles Saint Jacques, Briocche du Canard aux Figues and my bottle of Renaud du Calon. I thoroughly recommend the latter, with its lovely spices on the nose, full tannins and long finish (or if you are currently in Hafr Al Batin or Sharourah, a long search!!). Sipping an Armagnac under the vermilion-sunset-toned ramparts of Avignon, has certainly got a lot to recommend it in terms of atmosphere, not unlike a bottle of Najran water under the rose-red sun-baked walls of Madain Saleh.

If anyone out there happens to be in France and sees a dark-blue German-reg Cadillac, with Steely Dan audible from the open sunroof, cruising along betwen St. Tropez and Juan Lapins, its probably the Bebsis so be sure to give us a wave.

Despite having an exquisite time here, I also look forward to being back in KSA in September. Too many crazies in France!!

[Cleopatra]

[Bebsi]

There was a law introduced to this effect in (I think) 2001. This is the situation in THEORY. In PRACTICE, however, it can be very different. As most employers still tend to hold one's passport, they likewise have a tendency to apply for the visa on the employee's behalf. Many employers, notably the smaller private sector ones, also like to propagate the myth that the employer must do this, as opposed to the passport-holder. Indeed, it may even be the case that many of them don't even KNOW about the change in the law!

It seems a bit like the rule about sponsor's permission to travel around. This was scrapped in 2000, but many people, including western expats, are still convinced it is a requirement. One night last year, I was driving through the north-western desert up near Sakaka, when a policeman at a checkpoint asked me for my travel leter. He wasn't convinced that one was not required, and I was invited to have tea with his two colleagues while the guy rang somewhere and checked out the situation. He came back after ten minutes, apologised profusely and said he genuinely hadn't been aware of the situation as they don't get too many westerners driving around those parts!!

[Cleopatra]

I know exactly what you mean about the difference between theory and practice as far as newly-introduced regulations (or abandonment of same) are concerned. However, I must say I'm still a bit skeptical about the supposed change in law regarding exit visas. My last employer officially informed us that we (well, men and married couples at least) no longer need permission letters to travel within the Kingdom, but neither they, nor any other employer I have ever heard of, has ever, to my knowledge, told their staff that they can apply for exit visas independently. Of course, as you say, it's possible that employers would deliberately seek to keep people in the dark about this, the better to control them. But I still think that, if such an unpopular regulation as this one had been changed, there would be more heard on the grapevine about it. I had never heard of it until I read your post.

I'd also have a few questions about the logistics of applying for visas independently. Can foreigners even enter Saudi government offices? I was always under the impression that, absent some serious wasta, only Saudi men can do so, which would disqualify me on two counts.[/i]

[Mark100]

Very easy to pay someone to go and get the visa on your behalf.

Still, I thought you need a letter from your sponsor to get a single exit re entry.

The NOC, in theory ,if you look at the law carefully should not be applied in most circumstances but the reality is that you need it to come back and get another job.

[True Dreamer]

I think Bebsi might be referring to dependants an employee has on his Iqama. i.e. wife, kids....

In this case it is even possible to get an exit-re-entry visa even at 11p.m (oooh yeah... I bet some of you didn't know this before!).... just tell them that your wife needs to travel tomorrow morning, the officer on duty will do it for you - theoretically- in 15 minutes, if you are unlucky and the guy is chatting on his mobile, then it may take up to an hour!! But make sure you pay the 200 riyals at Al-Rajhi ATM machine and print the exit re-entry form from either from the secretary at your work or from several shops next door to the passport office (costs 10 riyals)!

Still, it will be interesting to know that the employees themselves can get the exit re-entry themselves!! ? I'd love to see the expression on my ungrateful, passports keeping employer's face!!

[Bebsi]

No, Bebsi was not referring to families. However, Bebsi now acknowledges that he may have been wrong (BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG ) in his interpretation of the law. Perhaps it IS in relation to non-employees, ie, family members, only. Check it out more, folks. I have not had an experience personally of single-entry visas, as I have always gone for the multi-visa. Those Bahrain weekends were always too much of a temptation, tho I have also been up to Jordan, and besides, it makes life easier at vacation time in that one doesn't have to go through the whole queueing business at times like Ramadan.

So, while I am about 70% sure that employees don't legally need a sponsor's consent for a single-entry visa, there is that 30% doubt too!! Check it out folks. Also, of course, one of the loveable little quirks of Saudi law is that the last to hear of changes are those who are supposed to enforce the law, so it is not impossible that like the travel-letter rule, many employers and EVEN VISA OFFICES don't know of the up-to-date changes. Classic example: embassies! Technically, an NOC is not normally required after 6 months once you complete your previous contract without problems, but they seek it up to two or even three years later at various embassies.

I am not fully with-it these days, as too many 'beakers full of the warm south, full of the true, the blushful hippocrene...beaded bubbles winking at the brim', and a surfeit of 'provencal song and sunburnt mirth' are indeed taking their toll on Bebsi. Were it not for the restraining influences of a much more pragmatic Mrs. Bebsi, God knows what gems would be now issuing forth. I would probably be telling you all that Ozzy Osborne was planning a gig at Buraidah and that the Moulin Rouge was about to open in Riyadh.

I AM however, looking forward to The Who reunion gig in Tabuk.

[True Dreamer]

So Bebsi.... multi-visa eh ?! You seem quite fortunate compared to other peers - like me - who simply will have their request for a multi entry visa looked as a bit of a howler in the eyes of my wise and caring employer! So well done mate!

However, with regards to your uncertainty over the single re-entry visa, I am afraid you should change the 70-30 percentage to the opposite! (i.e. 30-70%)! This is due to the fact that the actual form (re-entry) form has a section where your thoughtful and caring employer has to sign and stamp! I do agree, however, with your comment on the new issues on visas and Iqamas. Most people are just unaware.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday since time is passing too quickly and it is less than 3 weeks away!! (you do know what that means?!)

[Bebsi]

TWO weeks, TD, not three! But thanks anyway

Actually, I am looking forward to returning to the Kingdom, as all play and no work makes Bebsi a poor boy. I am not, however, looking forward to leaving Mrs. B, tho she hopes to join me in due course.