Job Discussion Forums

[Deicide]

I am totally secular, not a Zionist and am also not a fan of Israel but my parents were married by a Rabbi. Would I experience problems because I am 'Jewish'? Should I just lie about that?

[johnslat]

Dear Decide,

"Should I just lie about that?"

You betcha - especially on the visa application under religion. But also keep very quiet about it when you're there.

Regards,
John

[Deicide]

[johnslat]

Dear Decide,
I'm afraid so - they don't want any "Zionists" sneaking into the Kingdom, you see.
Here's a lady who wrote "Jewish":

" I was part of a group of eight Americans scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Oct. 22-Nov. 2, 2006, under the auspices of Advantage Travel & Tours. I was the only member of our tour group whose visa was denied. I also was the only member of the group who was Jewish and so indicated on the visa application form question asking us to list our religion.

My travel agent had assured me that the �official policy� of the Saudi government is they do not discriminate on the basis of religion.

My letter respectfully requesting an explanation of my visa denial was ignored by the Saudi Arabian government. I never heard from them.

In addition to sending a letter to the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States, I sent copies to the Saudi Arabian Consulate General in New York; the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah; the Bureau of Consular Services at the U.S. Department of State; Saudi Arabian Airlines, and Advantage Travel & Tours.

I have had phone conversations with the owner of Advantage Travel & Tours regarding this matter, and the West Coast Regional Manager of Saudi Arabian Airlines informed me he forwarded my letter to their New York office, but I have not heard from anyone else.

I understand that being granted a visa is a privilege, not a right.

My passport did not have an Israel stamp in it.

I have been to over a dozen Islamic countries and have always been treated with courtesy and respect.

It was my understanding that Saudi Arabia is trying to encourage non-Muslim tourists to visit their country. Here I was, meeting all the prerequisites of an acceptable visitor. I think it is important for other travelers contemplating a trip there to be aware of my experience."

http://www.intltravelnews.com/2007/12/denied-saudi-arabia-visa/

Regards,
John

[trapezius]

[johnslat]

Dear trapezius,
Ah, that made your day, didn't it? Great kidders, those Saudi government people.
Regards,
John

[cassava]

If you are of the Jewish faith and want to visit or work in Saudia Arabia without revealing your religion, the solution is quite obvious. You simply do not fill in the section of the visa application form which requires you to state your religion.

When I worked in Saudi years ago, many colleagues of mine who were Jews or atheists had simply left out any information about religion when they applied for visas. The Saudis never pressed the matter. In fact, one British friend of mine, in a phone interview, told the Dean who was interviewing him that he had no religion, having abandoned that kind of superstition years previously. The Dean seemed more amused than angry by this "confession" and accepted him anyway.

The point, I think, is not to write down any information that you don't want revealed.

[sheikh radlinrol]

[johnslat]

Dear Sheik,
Agreed - leaving it blank is only asking for trouble.
Regards,
John

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[Cleopatra]

[007]

[Kipling]

Mr Bond I personally would love to see Mr Braveheart as it would mean my visa had arrived and all was well.

[sheikh radlinrol]

[cassava]