Job Discussion Forums

jmarkowsky · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 18

I think you're right about the difference between reference and experience letters. I think I've taken care of that, at least for the one teaching job I've had in Canada. Everything else was abroad and I'll be damned if I can track down experience letters from them.

cmp, did you send your original documents to the Saudi embassy? If they don't return phone calls, who's to say they'll return documents? Or my passport!?

Below is the root of my confusion. It's one of the items taken from the Saudi embassy's website of requirements for a work visa:

Canadian Degree / Diploma , transcripts and letter(s) of experience from previous employers certified by The Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada: Tel. (613) 995-0119 (two copies certified by the issuing institution and by a notary as well as authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada. Written authorization from the applicant allowing the consulate to verify the information with the institutions. Foreign Degrees must be certified by the Saudi Embassy in the country of issue.

I guess I'm having trouble understanding it. (This is word for word). It's that bolded part that gets me. What exactly needs to be notarized and what exactly needs to be certified? To cover my butt, I think I'm just going to send them two copies of everything (one being the original), all notarized and all certified from the foreign affairs office. And hope that's all they need. Any suggestions?

Thank you all for your input and help.

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

VS: I stand corrected you are right regarding the letters of experience and reference letters.

As for sending the original copies of your degrees and letters etc., to the embassy, it's my belief that it isn't necessary. What the embassy needs are the the various copies notarized by Foreign Affairs.

I wouldn't send your originals to the Embassy. It's foreign affairs that need to verify your degrees. Send the originals to foreign affairs; the originals plus the photocopies of the originals and they will sign them and press an embossed stamp on the photocopies declaring them legit. Then you send only the notarized copies to the Embassy. I repeat it is not necessary to send originals to the embassy.

As far as trusting the Saudi Embassy...well they need to have your passport to put the visa in it and they will give you back all the notarized documents you have sent them once you have completed the process and if you choose to quit the process then they will send everything back to you.

The biggest problem might be the courier loosing them enroute to the embassy or the originals to the Foreign Affairs! So make sure your documents are sent by reputable company and can be tracked.

also in saudi · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 137

Have your prospective employer recommend a visa agent in Ottawa who can handle the details. It would save a lot of aggravation.

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

bourgoinpierre · Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 15

[quote]Everything else was abroad and I'll be damned if I can track down experience letters from them.

bourgoinpierre · Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 15

I�ve never used the quote button before, oups.

jmarkowsky · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 18

Hey, thank you all so much for your help and advice! Were it not for this forum, I'd be completely in the dark. I've decided to hire a visa broker, as Also is Saudi suggested, and it's going to make my life 10 times easier. So I just wanted to put it out there for new applicants coming on a work visa, or you kind souls offering advice to us newbies - HIRE A VISA BROKER. Especially if you're from Canada because the embassy absolutely will not return your calls or emails. It'll cost you $200-300 CND but it's worth it, and hopefully the school will cover the costs.

As for the letters of experience VS was right. A letter of experience is essentially a detailed breakdown of your job duties. It starts with a brief desc. of the school/company, states when you were hired/left, states your official position, then details your job duties. It ends with whose supervision you were under. NOT the same as a reference letter, though a reference letter, if long enough, can also be a letter of experience.

Thanks again.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The letters of experience that I have are much more basic. A statement in English on headed paper - "XYZ worked here as a teacher from .... to......, signed AB". School stamp and a signature with a flourish.