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cam
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 124
Location: Maine, USA
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 Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:19 pm Post subject: Are you still waiting for a visa for this fall? |
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| I have a position lined up in KSA for September, actually the contract should start on the 24th of August, but I am still waiting for my visa number. Are there any other teachers out there who have lined up jobs for this fall and are also waiting for visas? |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Are there any other teachers out there who have lined up jobs for this fall and are also waiting for visas |
No, but I have been in a similar situation in the past. So have half the teachers on this board - at a guess.
Getting a Saudi visa is not an exact science: the time it takes for your employers to get your visa number can vary widely, depending on circumstances mostly outside their control. Also, getting that number is only half the battle, as you still need to do the meds, get your papers certified, send off the application to the Embassy etc. If you will be accompanied by a spouse and/or kids, things get even more complicated and time consuming.
So, I think it's safe to say that it'll be some weeks before you're jetting off to the K of SA. It's annoying, but pretty much par for the course. Colleges are used to having to deal with this situation. In any case, it's not like all the students will be there on the very first day of term, particularly with Ramadhan coming so early this year. |
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caliph
Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 218
Location: Iceland
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| Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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How fast you get a visa can also depend on who you work for. My first job in the SA was with Lockheed Aircraft Int'l, they had my visa in days.
I think defense contractors with gov't to gov't contracts tend to get visas fast. |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 3:46 am Post subject: visa |
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Three years ago, when I was organizing my work visa, I was suppose to start my job mid August, but never arrived until Mid October!
I was very close to giving up, but persevered and finally the visa came through.
It was a technical problem between the Saudi Embassy in Canada and the College in KSA. Most of the time it isn't what you have done wrong, but the miscommunications between the Embassy and the company you plan to work for.
Patience and remaining in communication as much as humanly possible to ensure that they are working on your visa may or may not help. Sorry that it sounds vague, but that is the reality of working in KSA.
The visa experience is really your first introduction to life in the Magical Kingdom. It will happen, only when you have jumped through a certain number of hoops. They want to make sure you are capable of jumping through X number of hoops correctly before they let you in.
A sense of humor helps! |
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yiskbs
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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Hey,
I guess I am not alone.
Clinched the contract in March but still waiting for visa papers till today.
Plane tickets issued though for the 28 Aug.
Teaching in a govt college. |
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