Job Discussion Forums

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

The mess seems to be the same it always was.

If you complete your contract your employer has no hold on you, but nor is he obliged to give you an NOC.

So if your new employer insists on an NOC you're hosed. And if the embassy insists on an NOC you're hosed.

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

Regarding the NOC, please refer to the Ministry of Labor law in an earlier thread.

Article 64

Upon expiration of the employment contract, the employer shall be required to:

a)Give the workman, at his request and free of charges, a certificate of service, indicating the date of employment, date of termination of the work relationship, his profession, and the last wage received. If the certificate contains any remarks that are prejudicial to the workman's reputation or likely to diminish his employment chances, the reasons must be clearly indicated.

b) return to the workman all certificates and documents he has submitted.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:40 pm Post subject:

Dear sheikher,
An "NOC" is not the same as a "certificate of service." The former states that your previous employer has "No Objection" to your being hired by another employer in the Kingdom. The latter simply states what is mentioned in "Article 64."
Prospective employers will NOT accept a "certificate of service" is lieu of an "NOC."
Regards,
John

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

What John has said. Employers have always provided that certificate of service.

EFLUndercover · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 82

Is there anyone out there that has managed to get a new visa from an embassy abroad without an NOC? If so, please share.

[I know about washing the passport, but that is not always reliable as new technological advances have made it possible to track your movements anyway.]

And has anyone managed to get a transfer from an uncooperative sponsor?
[No bribes involved, please.]

johnslat · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject:

Dear EFLUndercover,
The IPA never used to give NOCs (certificates of service - yes.) The only people I know who were able to gain quick re-employment in the Kingdom after leaving the IPA were those who "washed" OR had enough "wasta" to overcome their not having an NOC. If the next employer wants you badly enough, or if you have a friend with "clout", the lack of an NOC can be "taken care of." But from an embassy abroad? I don't see how you could do it.
Regards,
John

EFLUndercover · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 82

Thanks John for your reply.

The employer could care less about the NOC. It's going abroad to retrieve the new visa that's the problem. The embassy wants the NOC; not the new employer. That seems puzzling. If the new employer doesn't care, why should the embassy when it's not the law that you have to have one anymore anyway!

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

To confirm EFLUndercover's remark, an interesting sentence re. NOC in this recent advertisement from Prince Sultan Military College for Health Sciences.

http://www.esljobfeed.com/forum/index.pl?read=59390

Whether that information has been disseminated to Saudi embassies abroad is a whole 'nother kettle of camels.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject:

Dear sheikher,

Interesting:

"(To those who have recently taught in Saudi Arabia, the Letter of No Objection is NO LONGER needed if we are hiring you from outside the country.)"

But since, in this case, it seems to be the embassy (and not the employer) that's making all the fuss, it may be irrelevant.

Also, I wonder if the wording:

" . . . WE are hiring you . . ." rather than " . . . . if you are being hired . . ."

would indicate that this applies ONLY to Prince Sultan.

Regards,
John

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

Once again, johnslat displays astonishing exegetical prowess.

A No Objection Certificate is not required if you've been illegally employed under a 3-month business visa (one-off or repeatedly renewed) because technically you have been consulting in the business sector. The embassy knows nothing about the salaries you've been receiving.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject:

Dear sheikher,

Aw shucks Embarassed

. In all likelihood, I over-analyzed the use of the active versus the passive WAY too much. But one never knows.
Regards,
John

Citizenkane · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 234 Location: Xanadu

sandersjayfer · Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 14 Location: Saudi Arabia

If you are coming on a business visa it can be arranged by the employer through almost any country. I was in an Asian country & got my visa in Bahrain about 2 hours after I handed my passport over to a worker for my company. I am not Asian & was not in my home country.