Job Discussion Forums

fearnot · Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 19

As I understand the process of getting working visa for Saudi Arabia, it could take months. What can I do "in advance" to make this process faster (or to meet the demand of an employer, if I am asked to have lunch with him in Riyadh within a couple of weeks)?

I have a Masters degree and 3-4 years of experience (all US, including my passport) and I am currently working in Florida. I have recently started my search for a teaching position anywhere in Saudi Arabia and I am sure it won't take too long to find one. To me, it's not a matter of "if" but "when," before I move to the Kingdom. So, can I do anything in advance (even before an interview) such as certify/notarize any documents, send my degrees to the Saudi Embassy for verifications etc.? Any other generic procedures that apply to all employers and are not initiated only by the employer, after accepting the offer?

I would really appreciate any help ...

johnslat · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

Dear fearnot,
If you don't mind my asking, what is your MA in - TESOL, Applied Linguistics?
There really isn't much you can do before your employer decides to hire you
(but you don't have to worry about having lunch with him in Riyadh within a couple of weeks.)
Have you even applied anywhere yet? You may get an invitation to have an interview at the upcoming TESOL Convention in New York City in early April:

http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/seccss.asp?CID=1518&DID=8281

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

My experience has been that it varies from employer to employer. Requirements also change over time, so what you needed last year is not necessary this year.

And what they want in Ottawa is not the same as in Washington DC.

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject:

I don't want to sound patronising to you or to the Saudis, but one of the things you have to get used to when living here, is that things get done in their own good time. There's really no point trying to hurry along the visa process before you've even got a job. Even if you had a sponsor and a visa number, most of it is out of your hands anyway, and delays in the application process are usually due to complications with the Embassy and/or ministry in Riyadh.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I don't mind if I sound patronising. The "Western' mindset does not always understand how things are done in KSA. Things take time. Bukara inshallah - for everything. What is your hurry !

Once you get used tgo this and adopt the mindset then you will not want to go back to the 'hurry,hurry, hurry' mentality of modern USA or UKofGB&NI.

To the OP I would say - find an employer and then do what he asks.

jmarkowsky · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 18

Fearnot,

I'm going through the same process in Canada and I've jumped ahead by getting some stuff done early. It depends what they require in the Washington embassy. Do you need a medical certificate, security clearance, and letters of experience from previous employers? All of this takes time here in Canada and none of it requires you to have your work authorization ahead of time, so I'd get started. I'd also suggest hiring a visa broker.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

The police check has been known to take time so you could get that. Check with the embassy how long it's valid for.

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject:

bourgoinpierre · Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 15

The thing that seems the most lengthy, for me anyway, is the medical. Download a form from the Saudi embassy on the net and get all the tests done and over with.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Bad advice - these medicals have a time limit !

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

And the OP is in the US where it can cost you a small fortune to get these tests done... and you don't even know if you have a job offer yet.

Get an offer first that you want to accept and then worry about all this stuff. You won't get to Saudi any faster... Laughing

VS

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

I agree with above posters get the job offer first...then start the lengthy process...best to listen to the voices of experience....scott's advice about the medical is spot on...you should not get the medical in advance it is a timely thing and the medical results could expire by the time you are ready to send them.