Job Discussion Forums

[dareva]

I just got an offer from ISM (International study management) for a teaching post in the KSA. They seem OK, but are offering to get us there on a business visa and then get a work visa in first semester break because they say the time frame to get us over there (1 month) is too short a time to get a work visa, whish usually takes 2-3 months. Has anyone been recruited in similar circumstances? I'd appreciate the feedback. Thanks

[Mia Xanthi]

Yes, I was recruited in the same manner. It was well over four months before I got my work visa and iqama. No bank account, difficult to send money and make payments back in my home country. Missed two vacations because I couldn't leave the country.

IMHO, it's not a complete red flag, but do prepare yourself for a long, frustrating, miserable wait with lots of "tomorrow" and "next week" and "inshallah" thrown in for good measure.

[briand]

I'm not gonna go because of this visa issue. I asked them how a bank account could be opened for me on a business visa, of course I didn't get a response. I also don't want to spend my vacations in country.

[also in saudi]

I was brought in on a business visa and had the iqama in two weeks.
I did have a problem opening an account at Saudi-Hollandi Bank. The Saudi branch manager claimed that my surname was slightly misspelled in Arabic on the iqama and refused to open the account. After several failed attempts at that branch, my Saudi boss took me to another distant branch where the bank employees were more reasonable.

[dareva]

Thanks for all your replies - they've been most helpful. Keep them coming
Just wondering, for the time you didn't have a bank account, how did you get paid? And what's the situation with accessing your money in the bank account from your own country - are the ATM's reliable, etc.

[Grendal]

Dear dareva,

When one gets paid in Saudi it's usually by cheque, beware of cash, and you take this cheque to a branch of the bank that is written on the cheque. Armed with your passport and the cheque you present this to the teller and it gets cashed. Then there are some banks or money express places that deal in the business of sending money overseas to other banks or people. You find one of these or better yet your employer should find one of these for you and set up an account with them to send money out of the country (25-30 SAR for this transaction fee). Most of these money places are full of Bangalies and Philipinos and you must find the one that does not require an Iqama to set up an account with.

Grendal

[Mia Xanthi]

I was paid in cash during the pre-iqama period. There was a rash of thefts at the PMU compound during this time. It seemed that our thief was aware that none of us could open a bank account at the time!

[desultude]

[johnslat]

Dear desultude,

"I was never one to put a lot of faith in coincidence."

Me, neither - but both of us sharing that idea is an accordance, not a coincidence.

Regards,
John

[desultude]

[Mark100]

I wouldn't necessarily be put off with this situation.

Don't worry about the bank account.

You can get paid in cash and just go down to Al Raji or one like that and transfer the money back to your home county account.

If paid by cheque mail it home as many expats did when i was working in KSA.

I wouldn't worry about the holidays either as you will more than likely have an iquama by the time your first holiday is due especially given that most probationary periods are three months anyway.

Finally you could ask for a mulit re exit re entry business visa that way you can still get out of the country.

[desultude]

[Mark100]

In theory you are right especially if you are dealing with the bank.

But i did it with Al Rajhi showing only my passport.

That was before all the terrorist activity when they tightened up a lot of the laws so not sure if you can still do it.

Cheque should still be okay thou.

[dareva]

HI everyone,
I can't tell you how grateful I am for all your replies. Thank you so much!!
It's helping me get a better a picture of the conditions in KSA. Im not totally new in dealing with slow and capricious beaurocratic (spelling?!) systems...ie i've waited in India for hours (no air-con) only to have door slammed in my face when it was my turn because it was 'tiffin' time (I beleive 'tiffin' in now an official Hindu sect) and similar situation in croatia - do not mess with their coffe breaks, many official places close at 2pm and there's always tomorrow....all said with a smile...it seems that only those of us with Anglo origins (either birth or residence) seem to expect things to get done efficiently Please keep 'em coming! Good or bad experinces, doesnt matter...it al helps
Im not particulary worried if I cant leave the country for my holday because I'm waiting for work permit (as long as it comes) becauseI'm a writer and one attraction of going to KSA is that I'll have lots of time to write, since there's nothing else to do (especially for women).
What about accommodation? Can anyone tell what sort of accommodation (single female) I should expect to be provided with when the allowance allotted is 3000 SAR per month?

[rigel]