Job Discussion Forums

havinganicetime · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 14

Has anyone heard of any 1st world nationals being denied exit visas because an employer didn't like them, because they irritated someone with authority or for some other capricious reason?

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:52 pm Post subject:

I have never heard of anyone being denied an exit visa for these reasons. It is a highly unlikely situation, IMHO. Most people end up with no exit visa because they are trying to leave a contract early or they owe the university money.

Or just incompetence on the part of Saudi administrators. People do get held up from leaving just due to pure incompetence. Rolling Eyes

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Mia... What about those that have been denied exit visas to leave for a short time because of a family illness or death?

VS

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:13 pm Post subject:

I was kind of including that in the "want to leave the job early" part, VS. But you're right to point out that many people are forbidden to leave even temporarily, which can be emotionally devastating.

The OP's question is an interesting one. I'd like to read other answers to it. In my experience, if a Saudi employer doesn't like you, the LAST thing they would do is keep you in the country. It is much more likely that you will be put on the next plane out if your employer doesn't like you for some reason.

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

destionable · Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 46 Location: wherever

Dear Have a Nice Day:

In addition to what MEB said, and I don't wish to scare people, the immigration laws in the GCC countries are far from respecting international laws and protocol. For example, it is illegal and against international law to withhold people's passports...even against Saudi Labour law...but many places still do it. The exit visa...is simply illegal bondage. ...modern day slavery!

And don't think, for example, the UAE is better. Eventhough you hold your passport, they can quickly and easily blacklist you and you will not be able to leave the country by air or by land until the issue between you and your sponsor is resolved. If you try to escape you will be thrown into immigration prison...WHERE THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF UNFORTUNATE SOULS WAITING. Now if your sponsor really wants to punish you, HE/SHE may let you stay in prison for a long time before HE/SHE decides to settle the dispute. IT is absolutely shocking! and even more shocking that so called democratic WESTERN countries are aware of this yet close a blind eye in order to get lucrative foreign contracts.

I hope nothing happens to any of you.

Destionable Shocked

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

No such thing has ever happened to a teacher in the UAE that has been reported here (or heard through the grapevine). I have known of a few people who did knowingly break laws and had to clear their legal situation before going.

This is only a danger for TCNs in those horrible low level jobs in the rest of the Gulf.

VS

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Dear destionable,

Your revelation about the UAE is shocking news to me. I have to ask, and forgive my laziness if you've revealed this in a previous post, have you worked in the UAE (or are you there now)?

Thanks,

MEB

johnslat · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject:

"Has anyone heard of any 1st world nationals being denied exit visas because an employer didn't like them, because they irritated someone with authority or for some other capricious reason?"

I can definitely see how it could happen, and, in fact, I MAY have seen it happen. I say "MAY" because I recall one teacher who needed an exit visa to attend the funeral of his mother. Other teachers had had NO problem with similar situations, but in the case of this teacher, who had made NO friends because of his rather obnoxious, pushy, loud and arrogant attitude, the "emergency exit visa" got very "bogged down" in the administrative mill, and didn't get processed in time.
Was it intentional or accidental? My guess is it was intentional, a payback for the way this teacher treated Saudis. But that's only a surmise. Strange, though, that he was the ONLY one who had a problem.
Do you believe in coincidence?
Regards,
John
P.S. By the way, I've seen very similar things (not with exit visas, of course, but with other "administrative paperwork) happen here in the States.
You don't want to make enemies of the people whom you may need badly some day.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

wow... three of us posted at exactly the same time!!

VS

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:59 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject:

Dear Middle East Beast,

"It's not always the fault of the teacher, either. Don't assume that if you're a "good boy/girl" you'll be immune to such treatment."

Always???? Who mentioned "always" (besides you, that is?) I posted about ONE SPECIFIC teacher - AND, I couldn't even say for certain that what happened to him was deliberate. True, being polite and showing respect will not make you immune, but I can guarantee that such behavior will make it a LOT less likely that you'll get screwed.

"It amazes me how some on this forum will seek to blame the teacher for all the mistreatment experienced in the KSA."

Hey, guess what? Sometimes the teacher IS to blame. If, as I suspect, it was deliberate in the specific case I posted about, I see it as a case of "you reap what you sow." It's simply stupid and self-injurious to make enemies of those whose help you may need in the future.

"By the way, comparisons with other countries are nothing more than attempts to divert attention from the country in question."

No, comparisons with other countries are just a way of illustrating that stupidity, inefficiency, and the desire to "get payback" are by no means exclusive to the Kingdom. In fact, the "you reap what you sow" is, as far as I've been able to determine, universal.

Regards,
John

destionable · Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 46 Location: wherever

Dear VS and MEB and others:

No, I an not now in the UAE. Well VS, as a matter of fact I personally know of one teacher and heard about even a doctor who was thrown in immigration prison in the UAE...who was working for the National Inst. of Techno(NIT) in Al Ain...under a certain PRINCIPAL, (MOD edit)...who I understand is somewhat of a bully and a tyrant. Immigration prisoners are often people who have been abused by a sponsor, and are trying to save their dignity. These prisoners are also subjected to eye scans and finger printing and deportation and are not allowed to return to the UAE. IT'S HAPPENING BY THE THOUSANDS AND I AM CERTAIN OF THIS! YES, IT IS SHOCKING!

Destionable
Cool