Job Discussion Forums

filmpan · Joined: 04 Feb 2009 Posts: 7

I will soon send my documents package to a visa processing agency in order to obtain my visa for KSA. My medical records contain info about problems with depression some 15 years ago. This info will be recorded on the medical certification that will accompany the documents submitted for the visa.

Can anyone advise on whether this would be a "kiss of death" with respect to the issuance of the visa?

Would it be advisable to have the certification filled out by a doctor from whom I would withhold the fact of depression 15 years ago?

THANKS

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

I can't understand why 'depression' would be mentioned at all. There's a checklist of tests and the medical form just has those.

filmpan · Joined: 04 Feb 2009 Posts: 7

Unfortunately the form does mention it; it says, "History of any significant past illness, including psychiatric and neurological disorders (epilepsy, depression...)" --the only possible "out" being that depression is not typically considered psychiatric or neurological (however, the doctor would likely not go along with that).

balqis · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 373

If you can find a doctor who will not mention it in his report, do it. And surely everyone can find such a doctor. You too.

I dont' know who and to what degree studies all those medical certificates but you never know the daily - or regular - whim of the Saudi consul in your country.

Though antidepressants and alike are rather rampant in the Gulf, both amongst the Arabs, non-Arabs and the White Man, on average it is still definitely a taboo subject, triggers off mockery and is rigidly stigmatizing too.

The point made by Karachi in the previous thread reg PMU is pretty spot-on, btw.

Best,

balqis

reneebcc · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 60 Location: Georgia

I've noticed at the bottom of the checklist form there has to be a stamp of certification. Would a copy of my doctor's certificate be sufficient, or the hospital's approval stamp, or would I have to send off the form to the state board for them to stamp? I asked my recruiter but got a vague answer. From those that are experienced in this, what's the next step that takes place after the exam has been completed and the doctor signs off?

balqis · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 373

In my country, which is not America, the Saudi Embassy demanded that the doctor I used for producing my medical report was employed by a city hospital, i.e. not one with only a private medical pratice.
So they wanted on the report stamps of the hospital too, not only the doctor's stamp. The hospital stamp meant for the Embassy that the report is ''certified'' i.e. has more clout I guess or ''power of conviction''.

balqis

Markemark · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 82 Location: ksa

Sweet Jesus Christ man, you have a history of depression and you're planning to get on a plane and fly off to Saudi Arabia.
Can someone help this guy, because you need to start praying the Saudis knock back your visa application.
With any possibility of mental illness, depression, schizophrenia, manic depression, anxiety attacks- the combination of surly colleagues, meaningless work and most of all- an dreary social and cultural enviroment will send you over the edge.
Sorry to be harsh here, but it's a case of being cruel to be kind, because as a depressive, you if you can't cope with life in your own country without medication, how could you possibly expect to survive over in Saudi Arabia which is the very essence of a depression inducing experience. The weather triggers depression- extreme heat, as does the social isolation, the unfamiliar enviroment, the extremely repetitive routines, the lack of color, beauty, diversion, homogenity and normal social interraction. Even the utilitarian way employers treat you and the 'stress' of dealing with them will probably sink you.
Oh, it doesn't have to be- i here people saying- he can 'go and walk on the corniche,' or, 'he can visit Jarir,' 'barbecues in the desert,' 'sport,' please people, get real, he's got clinical depression!
Don't go to Saudi Arabia.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:55 am Post subject:

Have to say I agree with Mark.

KSA can be a difficult environment even for folks with a 'sunny disposition'. If you have a history of depression, you would be very well-advised to give it a miss. Mark outlines the reasons quite well. Time and again I have known colleagues who come to KSA with a history of emotional stress or 'substance abuse' problems, as well as those who are here to escape a recent divorce or other family problems. Almost invariably, things go from bad to worse for them in KSA. As I say, it's a tough environment at the best of times. For those of a more sensitive nature, it can be catastrophic.

And I speak as someone who generally quite likes Saudi Arabia!

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Markemark

The guy's talking about a depression from fifteen years ago.

johnslat · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:26 pm Post subject:

It's strange, but I knew people who BECAME alcoholics in Saudi and I knew people who BECAME teetotalers there.
You just never know how pretty much the same experience is going to affect different people.
Regards,
John

Marquess · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 165

Some teetotallers have no choice as cheap homebrew, loads of time and KSA would destroy them. Safer for them not to drink in KSA.

meri · Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

With the exception of the boxed medical tests such as HIV, TB etc. I found the medical test to be anything but thorough. I did mine in London and went to a place that specialises in them. They just whizzed through the questions assuming I would say NO to everything and as for the pregnancy test, they just asked if I was pregnant or not.

Whether you can cope with working in Saudi or not seems to depend mainly on WHO you are working for.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:45 pm Post subject:

Dear meri,
While whom you work for can affect how well you can cope, I'd say that who you are is even more important.
Regards,
John

realt · Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 6

Mr. Filmpan, I don't usually reply to threads as I have limited knowledge of Saudi, but I do know that you should stay away. Stay smiling and stay away from Saudi, you cant just up and leave after a month if you don't like it and you will hate it, everyone does. Employers usually hold your passport and it is an incredibly tough place even for the very mentally strong and stable people. I realise it was 15 years ago, but stay away my friend. I agree entirely with the previous posters giving you similar advice. We can moan and cry about Saudi, but physcological problems are a different issue.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

If you didn't have depression before you went to Saudi there is a good chance you will get it not long after arriving. Laughing

I think you would be taking a chance given your history but having said that you can always get a ticket out EVENTUALLY.

As long as you can last until your first ticket out you should be okay.

Go and get another medical cert if you are determined to go thru with it that doesn't have depression on it. That should be easy enough to do.