Job Discussion Forums

jim6169 · Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 19

I was wondering, what happens if you sign an offer of employment for a university and then change your mind and take a job at a different university?

boundforsaudi · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 243

When employer #2 applies to the Ministry of Labor for a visa authorization letter, maybe the MOL will notice that one was just issued for you under the sponsorship of employer #1. If so, does the MOL then call up employer #1 and ask whether he objects to your switching employers? Or maybe it won't be noticed until you apply for the visa that there are 2 visa authorization letters for you. Maybe the embassy will call employer #1. However, I think the rule is that employer #1 has no such control over you unless you go at least as far as to get a visa issued under his sponsorship, and maybe not even unless you actually travel to Saudi Arabia with that visa. Anybody have any experience with this?

I think a few years ago a Saudi employer had to litigate a breach of employment contract in a court outside Saudi Arabia and lost. I think since then all Saudi employment contracts have a clause that says the contract is governed only by Saudi labor law. And I think Saudi labor law says that the contract does not come into effect until the employee arrives in Saudi Arabia. So I don't think employer #1 could sue you for damages for not showing up.

freesoul · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:06 am Post subject:

Since it is high time for recruiting teachers, potential employers are becoming these days aware that teachers may get more than one offer of employment.

As for the visa, it is a mere number issued by the ministry of foreign affairs and sent directly from the ministry to a Saudi embassy as its final destination upon the request of the employer. Then, an candidate is supposed to submit with his/her visa application, along with a signed contract, an endorsement letter stating that he is the concerned party who is to collect the visa/number. I think only then Saudi embassies know of your name.

I was told once that employers can switch over visas to another employee in the same country. So, employers will not lose a visa/number and can use it again since it is valid for about three years, I guess.