Job Discussion Forums

mccainjohn96 · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 93

On the medical report form, the VDRL and TPHA are both syphilis tests. It's not clear whether both are required, or either one will do. The clinic I went to used a 3rd syphilis test, the RPR, which is just as reliable as the others. I can't get the medical officer at the Saudi embassy to answer the phone to clarify what he will accept. Anybody have the answer?

a_ibrahim · Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 54 Location: ohio, usa

I would advise you to have your doctor try to stick to whatever they have on the form. But in all honesty, there's no way to really know whether or not an alternative test/screening is acceptable. Trying to reach someone at the embassy requires a lot of time and patience. And it will definitely test your patience.

If you've had a test done, leave it at that. You'll have the joy of going through these tests again once you get into KSA anyway.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Having gone through the process twice, I would advise you to let your doctor make the decisions and leave it at that. There is no reason to be contacting the Saudi embassy to authorize medical tests. For my second job in Saudi, my US doctor thought some of the tests were unnecessary and he simply signed off on them. For example, I had already had enough chest X-rays and my doctor wisely chose my health interests over those of bureaucratic procedures and signed off on it.

mccainjohn96 · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 93

You can do that!!?? Wow! Great. What person who has been living in the US in good health for several months really needs tests for tuberculosis, malaria, cholera, or schistosomiasis? Good to know the Saudi embassy doesn't go over the physical with a fine-toothed comb. I will tell my doctor he has discretion to ignore whatever lab tests he thinks unnecessary. So can you be more specific about what you got away with? What other tests did your doctor ignore with impunity besides the x-ray? Did he make some note about them being unnecessary, or did he fill out the form in such a way that it looked like you had the tests, but really didn't? I don't see how you would have gotten away with the latter, as the embassy requires copies of the lab reports.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Well there were a lot of blood tests and as far as I remember (this was in 1994) he did the HIV test but thought most of the others were nonsense and signed off on them. Also, if I remember correctly we didn't have to submit the actual chest X-rays to Saudi (and then when we get there the Saudis make us do them over again anyway) so he signed off on the X ray as well.

mccainjohn96 · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 93

Oh. Well, things may have changed in the last 15 years. Here's a link to a download of what seems to be the current medical report:

http://www.saudiembassy.net/Travel/VisaReq-Employment.asp

Note the bottom of the form, where it says:

SUBMIT TO THE CONSULAR SECTION THREE ORIGINALS COPIES OF THIS MEDICAL REPORT AND TWO COPIES OF ALL RESULTS OF THE MEDICAL TESTS.
DO NOT SUBMIT X-RAYS AS THOSE MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE HEALTH AUTHORITIES IN SAUDI ARABIA ALONG WITH ONE CLEAR COPY OF THIS REPORT AND ALL TEST RESULTS.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

The Saudi embassy sent my visa application back to me about three or four times:
No lab reports attached
No police document stating that I did not have a criminal record
Certified copies of diplomas got lost between the Saudi Cultural Ministry and Embassy in the whole mess
I forgot what was wrong on the fourth time ...
Maybe inadequate proof of conversion to Islam.
Trying to get a visa for Saudi is a good test of one's resolve and patience, and it is just a small taste of the culture to come.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

delete

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:49 pm Post subject:

Ohhh! And, all of this for the chance of getting to experience Saudi Arabia! Tell me, where does the queue form!

NCTBA (Irony Alert!!!) Very Happy

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

Nordic · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 22

If you are wishing to convert to Islam, most Islamic web sites are full of instructions. Probably the guys you spoke to undestood you are not fascinated by Quran and hence got such reply.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

"I was told by Muslims that conversion to Islam was impossible as we are ALL born Muslims. Some of us stray and later REVERT to the 'true faith'..."

Glory, hallelujah ... we are all born by the grace of God. Maybe it was just a matter of getting the "shahad" confirmed by an imam who knew me or at least knew someone who knew me. "Can I get a witness ... that I am a witness?"

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The pious in KSA refer to "reversion" rather than "conversion". The thinking is that the natural state of all beings is Islamic. If misguided ones belong to an eronneous religion and then see the light they are REVERTING to the TRUE PATH.

007 · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:58 am Post subject: Re: Ignore the tests?