Job Discussion Forums

[AK]

Greetings all,

My wife (Korean) has her MA in BioMedical Engineering and several years experience in the Mechanical engineering field.

My question is, if I were to come (return) to Saudi as an instructor would it make more sense to have her come over on her own Iqama or as a "Married"?

She intends to work and has already found a number of positions in the KSA that she's qualified for (in some cases working alongside Koreans).

But, can she work (legit) on a Spousal visa??

If so, it's a no brainer because she'd have more freedom to pick and choose her company (or drop if necessary).

If she cannot work legally on a marriage visa outside the compound then I'll have to consider her being tied to a Saudi "master" and/or other ways to get work under the table and finally if it is even worth it for us to come at all.

Thanks for any insight.

[Cleopatra]

[AK]

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong with the quote function....I can't make the script bold or larger either(?).....anyways....

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Cleo: ---Well, of course she cannot come on 'her own iqama'. Either she comes as your dependent (in which case she would be on your sponsor's iqama), or she gets a job, goes through the visa process and enters the country on her sponsor's iqama.----

AK: Ok, well yes...that's what I meant....

Cleo: ---- Of course if you take the latter route, there is no guarantee that you would enter the country at the same time - though I suppose that's true even if you sponsor her as your dependent.----

AK: Yes, as a spouse the 3 month wait is still standard, no? At any rate, on her company's iqama, or on mine....entering together isn't an issue with us.


Cleo---Has she applied for these jobs, or made detailed enquiries at least?----

AK: yes, to the latter.

Cleo: ----I would imagine that the filed of Mechanical Engineering would be very male dominated in KSA, which might make it (legally) very difficult for a woman to work there.---

AK: I'd imagine the same and think she'll be facing some new challenges, but the few companies she did contact seemed ready to hire her on the spot, tho they weren't exactly where we want to be (Riyadh). But as a "tester" it seems pretty possible.


Cleo: ---Strictly speaking, no. But this is a rule more honoured in the breach than the observance. Plenty of people work while on their spouse's visa, and almost always get away with it. In fact, employers quite like it as it's cheap and convenient for them.---

AK: This is what I believed, but wanted (needed) to hear it from one of the gurus. Thanks Cleo,..always full of good info. you are


Anyone in Saudi doing this now?? Or have a spouse working outside the compound?

I wonder about pay (on a married iqama)....benefits....etc...

~ thanks again for any insights.

[Cleopatra]

[AK]

Thanks again Cleopatra, sounds all good!