Job Discussion Forums

[destionable]

I have read alot of comments about VISAS. I do not claim to be an expert on Visas to the KSA and if anybody does I think that would be foolish since the poeple who make the rules and call the shots are from the Ministry of Interior.

However, in my personal opinion I would prefer a work/visit business visa rather than the official work visa that leads to the Iqama...and this for the following reasons:

ADVANTAGES:

1. Way faster and easier to get.
2. Can get it out of your home country.
3. Is perfectly legal.
4. More flexibilty with this MULTIPLE visa....can come and go from the KSA when you want to.
5. Generally, you keep your own passport while in the KSA.
6. Can rent a car.
7. Can insure a car.
8. Can send $$$ from Taweel Al Rajhi Bank to any other bank account outside the KSA...no prob.
9. If conflict the Saudi Labour Law still applies.
10. More and more companies going this fast track route.
11. Can work in the KSA, live in the KSA and exit the KSA with no prob...ie. DON"T NEED AN EXIT VISA!!
12. Don't need an NOC(Letter of no objection) to return to work in the KSA.
13. Can go to the hospital and be treated like anybody else.
14. No need to do finger printing + extensive medicale tests in the KSA.

DISADVANTAGES:

1. Can't buy a car...big deal!
2. Can't open a bank account...don't need to?

In my opinion the work/visit business visa is far more flexible...suits me well. I think companies using this type of visa simply do it for faster and easier processing. I don't think these companies intend to deliberately abuse people.

As for the last issue of going to the border every month and getting a stamp in your passport...Al Hamdallah! let's go abit futher and have a few beers in Bahrain. Like what's the prob?

Destionable

[johnslat]

Dear destionable,

Are you sure about Number 3?

"Business visa does not grant to the applicant the right to work or to reside in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

http://www.studentsguide.in/visa-information-saudi-arabia/business-visa-in-saudi-arabia.html

(Not that being "legal" or "illegal" makes much difference if wasta is involved.)

Regards,
John

[Stephen Jones]

The advantage of the business visa is that you can look for another job while you're here, then leave the country and come back on a work visa. The other advantage is you don't need a medical.

Your point 3 is clearly wrong, and your point 4 ignores the fact that you are obliged to keep leaving the country and coming back, whereas with a work visa and multiple entry-reentry you come and go as you please. Point 5 obviously depends on the employer. Part 1 depends on the cirumstances, and part 2 applies equally to a work visa.

I'm surprised you've been able to send cash from one bank to another without an iqama. Most banks I know block it, so you have to find somebody to do it for you. Point 9 is more than dubious. Part 10 is as irrelevant as it's false. Part 13 is also doubtful, unless your employer has provided health insurance with the business visa, which almost none do, so you would have to negotiate insurance privately.

You've also failed to add that in nearly all cases the work/benefits ratio on business visas is much worse than on a work contract, that you can be terminated at will, that you can end up at Bahrain trying to renew only to find you can't get back in the country and you're stuck, and a few other factors.

[destionable]

Dear SJ:

Well, some of your comments appear to be based on pure scepticism rather than fact. If it was illegal, I doubt that Saudi authorities would allow it to happen in the first place. Recall that about 2 yrs ago, there was an article and perhaps a decision from the gov't to allow 12 month work/visit business visas but, I believe, it may never have happened.

Regarding getting stuck in Bahrain upon the renewal of the 3 months...is not a problem since you should normally get confirmation BEFORE leaving the KSA that a renwal has been granted.

I am not persuaded by your scepticism. I still think the work/visit visas are still preferable.

Destionable

[johnslat]

Dear destionable,
SJ, in my opinion. knows more about the bureaucratic workings inside Saudi Arabia than anyone else here. If he says something is a fact, I, for one, am going to believe it.
Of course, that doesn't mean at all that you have to, but I'd counsel any readers who have never been to the Kingdom and are seeking the right information to credit whatever he posts.
Regards,
John

[ESL_USER]

How does working on business visa effect those who want to bring their family to be with them. I currently have an offer to work on business visa. The company says that I can leave in the first break in end of November and return on a work visa. At this point, I can apply for my family to come and join me. How long would this whole process take. They told me that my family should be able to join me by Christmas. In your experience, does this sound right? I have 3 small children and I don't want to be without them for very long. My wife will have to take care of them all by herself.

please advise
thanks

[destionable]

Dear ESL User:

Sorry, I have no info to help you out about that issue...but I would recommend to get assurances from your future employer.

Regards,
Destionable

[desultude]

[johnslat]

Dear desultude,

Didn't you forget to add the advisable "IRONY ALERT?"

Regards,
John

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Hey! John! Don't you remember? That's MY schtick!

NCTBA

[Middle East Beast]

[Stephen Jones]

There obviously are cases where people teaching on a business visa is legal. Say you want to bring over a set of technical instructors to run a six week training course; then obviously you would use a business visa. However to use a business visa to carry out a full time permanent job is not. It is also reasonable for somebody to come over every two or three months to give a course (most universities have people who come over from abroad to do this, though not always on a regular basis).

Now there's some squeeze power there and that's what companies who have wasta use. The problem is that if they lose their wasta you are the one who pays the price.

[Mia Xanthi]

I agree with SJ that it is highly unlikely that your family will be with you by Christmas. The fact is that we are entering the slow (slower? slowest?) season for government work in KSA. Nothing gets done during Ramadan, then nothing gets done during Hajj. You're coming in at a time when nothing at all is going to happen within the bureaucracy for at least two and a half months. Even if your place of employment was motivated to get your family over, they probably couldn't. But I doubt they are motivated or they would be working on getting your family over there with you now.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.

[destionable]

Dear MEB:

I would say the work/visit business visa is certainly NOT for everybody. I simply wanted to communicate why I think it is the best option for ME. I think the legal/illegal issue discussion for English teachers is irrelevant...the Ministry of Interior is well aware of what's going on....and obviously they condone it.

I believe you are correct about the finger printing...it appears now it's standard procedure at the border on the causeway for VISAS from Bahrain.

I'd say the issue of going to the border once every month may suit some people but not others. Obviously, I wouldn't want to do it for a lifetime.

Destionable

[Middle East Beast]

Dear destionable,

That's OK, I just want everyone to be clear that it's NEVER a given to be able to leave the KSA. Truly, they can cancel any visa anytime; then, you're at their mercy.

I won't beat a dead horse (or camel) regarding assistance from the U.S. Embassy...suffice it to say, "forget-about-it." I can't speak for the other western embassies.