Job Discussion Forums

Demonicat · Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 65 Location: Near Shida, Taipei

Hi all!
I'm considering making the move to Saudi after having worked in China and Korea for about 6 years now. I'm engaged to a lovely American gal, and was wondering if its possible to live with her before the official wedding. If not, which i have a feeling is the case, is it possible to see her regularly (feel free to laugh if this is a ridiculous question)? Finally, lets assume we get a no on both questions, how in depth do they check a marriage certificate. I mean, if we were to go to the Korean city hall, pay our $40 and get a certificate, would that satisfy immigration?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: Living with Fiance?

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject:

Not only will it not be possible to live with this 'gal', it will not be possible for her to get a visa to enter KSA unless she gets a job there and applies for a visa - independently of you.

if you want her to come to the country as your dependent, she will have to be your legal wife and have the documents necessary to satisfy the Saudi embassy. And yes, they're known to be fussy.

Demonicat · Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 65 Location: Near Shida, Taipei

Just to clarify, when I said see her, I meant with her working as well under her own visa. She has a master's, experience, and all that. I mean, if were were both working in say, Jeddah, would I be able to visit her compound, go out on dates, etc?

Thank you for the prompt replies guys!

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject:

I concur with Cleo. The reason compounds exist is to keep the God Squad and inquiring minds on the other side of the wall. I've heard of them invading buildings. But there'd be a heck of a commotion if they tried to get into a compound. Shocked

One way you could go on dates in public is if you went with a married couple or a group of married couples who could vouch for both of you as "friends". Smile

If your dear intended is a nurse, though...THAT would be problematic... Mad

Also, now that I see your stated location, Seoul would be a long trip, but definitedly one worth taking, but as you're talking about separate sponsorships...a moot point...or as Joey corrected, "a moo point". Laughing

NCTBA

WaegukinYeoJa · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 26

My husband and I did exactly this - we got married at Seoul City Hall. It's a fairly straightforward process, though a bit of paperwork to fill out. The actual "getting married" part involved lots of stamps from various embassies (since we are both of different nationalities, neither of them Korean) and no vows or ceremony. It was perfect.

Costs a bit more than $40 though; all in all we forked out about 300 USD, after all notaries at each embassy and Korean fees, etc.

We have only been asked for our marriage docs once, and that was by our employer after arriving. I always carry an unofficial copy with me, just in case.

Kipling

Maaan Mr Demonicat that avatar is like...... aagh maan it's too much!!!
Mad

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject:

Yup, I did the same city hall type o' marriage as WaegukinYeoJa in another nearby Asian country. It's passed muster for lo these many years! Very Happy

NCTBA

buildbyflying · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject:

also be aware of what you're bringing her into.

while it's acceptable for women to show their faces... even faces warrant unnecessary attention here. I imagine locals might consider faces to be a tad slutty.

you didn't mention what your/her racial background. couples of different races do warrant extra attention.

there are never guarantees of compounds, only promises. and be aware that the two are very different birds here. If you are not in a compound, her safety is tied to your presence. That is unless she's just another of the old maids here.

WaegukinYeoJa · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 26

[quote]also be aware of what you're bringing her into.

while it's acceptable for women to show their faces... even faces warrant unnecessary attention here. I imagine locals might consider faces to be a tad slutty. [/quote]

I have long blonde hair and blue eyes, not to mention blindingly fair skin. Compared to the constant barrage of attention I got in Korea (staring, pointing, whistling, yelling, grabbing, slapping, etc.), almost no one pays me even the slightest notice here. If anyone does think I'm a "tad slutty", they keep it to themselves.

I live in Riyadh, and I do not cover my face or hair. I get almost no attention with or without my husband, who is also white, but could pass for Lebanese or Syrian. Overall a drastic improvement and a much more pleasant place to live (compared to Korea and China) for someone as "white" as I am.

The only unpleasantness is sometimes being asked to pay double, sometimes triple the prices someone from a non-"rich" country would be asked to pay. Confused

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:15 am Post subject:

007 · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:28 am Post subject:

Demonicat · Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 65 Location: Near Shida, Taipei

I did not expect this thread to keep going, but awesome- this is all good information. We are both similarly genetics-wise, me being a tall Nordic guy and her being of German descent. We've been looking around a lot, but as she is VERY independent and not the kind to get tied down to always having to be by my side, we are looking more into UAE and Oman now. I imagine we'd get our fair share of stares though as she is 6 feet tall, and I'm a good 6'4- both with very pale skin. In fact, my screen name of "Demonicat" comes from my nickname in Mali (West Africa) where the people saw my red hair, pale skin, and height and assumed me to be a cat demon. True story.