Job Discussion Forums

jim6169 · Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 19

Hi all,
The university which has offered me a job has told me that I need to go to London in order to get my visa processed. Apparently the university has a visa docket for England which they need to use. I've phoned some agencies in London and the Saudi embassy in hope to foresee any problems. The embassy and some of the agencies say that I'll have no problems; some of the agencies though think that it's impossible because I'm not a UK resident. Does anyone know anything about these things?

Cheers,
Jim

freesoul · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 7:18 am Post subject:

It doesn't really make a difference whether you are a UK citizen or not as long as you are legal in the UK. But you just need to provide a proof of you residence in the UK.

jim6169 · Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 19

I don't have residence in the UK and I'm not a UK citizen. I don't live in England. I have to fly from a different country to England in order to get the visa done.

007 · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 11:34 am Post subject:

jim6169 · Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 19

I don't live in the UK. I'm not a resident. I'm not a UK citizen. I don't have a UK passport. The university has a visa number for the UK. I need to leave the country I'm living in now and travel to the UK in order to get my visa. The Saudi Embassy in the UK said it would be no problem, but some agencies say it is a problem. Does anyone have any experience with this?

007 · Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 6:23 am Post subject:

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 7:30 am Post subject:

"The university has a visa number for the UK."

I'm a bit confused by this. It's true that employers do have visa 'slots' for different nationalities, (ie they may have two slots for British citizens, three for Americans and so on). However, so far as I know, these 'slots' refer to the applicants, not the issuing embassy. So, in order to qualify for a "British visa slot" you would have to be a British citizen. Just because you apply through the London embassy would not, of course, make you a British citizen.

That is my understanding of the situation.

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

It is possible for a non-citizen and non-resident of the UK to obtain a work visa through the Saudi Embassy in London. Only a short (less than ten day) stay in a hotel was required. I don't know if this is an every day occurrence, however.

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 5:35 pm Post subject:

Kipling · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 10:59 am Post subject: Residence

From what i undrstand residence IS the important criteria.
If you are working AND resident in a country you can apply for a KSA visa in that country.....just don't try to ask for flights to the country you are resident and working in (IE different from your passport details) it will take years off your life..... especially if all you have is a room, a chair and the complete bloody works of Virginia Ironside. Sad