Job Discussion Forums

Jreng · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 37 Location: uae

Can I take my step son to Saudi Arabia?

Thanks

johnslat · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:23 am Post subject:

Dear Jreng,
As long as you can produce all the legal documentation necessary, I don't see any impediment to your taking your stepson with you.
Regards,
John

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

I think you better check further on this one. I know of a situation in another Gulf country where the man was allowed to bring his adopted stepson, but the university did not cover tickets or medical or education funds as the boy was not really his son. We were told that adoption is not recognized in Islam.

While it has long been traditional for Muslims to take in children and raise them as 'sons or daughters,' they are not legally adopted and remain the child of their biological parent.

Thus, you can 'probably' bring him, but at your own expense.

VS

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

+1 for what VS says. He won't be considered your son for benefits.

windstar · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 235

Are you step-mother or step-father? How old is your step-son? Are you still married to your spouse?

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:35 pm Post subject:

I agree with VS. You should investigate this matter further before deciding on a job in KSA. If you have adopted the boy, this presumably will not need to be mentioned in your visa application. So, even though Saudi law does not consider adoptive parents to be 'real' parents, as so often, what people don't know won't hurt them.

However, if you have not legally adopted this child, it is probably as others have said. You could bring him over and have him live with you, but it's possible he wont' be considered your legal dependent.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It may depend on the employer. Where I work the ruling seems to be that you can bring stepchildren, but they are not recognised for benefits , eg tickets, education allowance.

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

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Hmm. As an adult who was adopted when I was a baby, I don't have (and can't get) a birth certificate -I have something called 'certificate of registration of birth' that includes my adoptive name and the names of my adoptive parents, but no other information.

I wonder if this would be any kind of impediment to my working in the ME?

I would guess NOT - the document's official and most likely the fact that it's different than most wouldn't even be noticed.

Not to mention the fact that I myself would be the employee, not either set of parents.

Yeah, I'm a bit paranoid Embarassed

Surely not even worth wondering about.

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

As the employee, they only want to see your passport. I've never shown anyone my birth certificate outside of the US passport authority and passports say nothing of parentage.

So, this isn't a problem with you.

VS