Job Discussion Forums

Railway3 · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 57 Location: UK

Hi
I have now received by visa authorisation number by email. The university advised me to go to the Saudi Cultural Attache to get the visa stamped. I have phoned them and they said they got nothing to do with visa. I should rather contact the visa section of the consulate. So did I and I was told to apply as normal with all my papers. Then after 3 days I was informed I need supporting documents from the Cultural attache. I then personally visited the Cultural Attache and they said they have not yet received any requests from the university.
Can anyone please explain the whole process and what should I do?

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject:

You say you've received the visa authorisation code, but has the embassy recieved it too?

Without this code, they cannot start the visa procedure for you.

Railway3 · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 57 Location: UK

I dont know if the embassy has got it. But the Cultural Attache hasnt thats for sure. I have been told until the Cultural Attache doesnt receive it, they cant give me the supporting letteres ( i think they got to attested my papers) and then the embassy will start processing the visa.
I dont know but that is what i have been told. So can anyone please let me know if that is right or what is the actual process?

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:24 am Post subject:

I don't think visa numbers are sent to the Cultural Bureau - they just auhtorise your degrees. However, they probably cannot do this until they get the go-ahead from the consular section, which in turn needs to get the go-ahead from Riyadh.... In other words,nothing can be done until the consular section receive your authorisation code from the MFA in Riyadh.

Railway3 · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 57 Location: UK

So do I wait till they give me a ring? or should I go again and see if they have received it?

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:45 pm Post subject:

Dear Railway3,

"So do I wait till they give me a ring?"

The words "hell" and "freeze over" come to mind.

"should I go again and see if they have received it?"

That's usually the ONLY way to get something done - persistence - polite and courteous, but unrelenting. After a while, they'll realize that the ONLY way they're going to get rid of you is by actually doing something.

Regards,
John

gungediana · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82

Railway3, please let us know how it goes. I might be undertaking the same process in a year from now.

God help me.

Railway3 · Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 57 Location: UK

certainly I will write a post after everything is sorted telling everyone my experience

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 11:48 pm Post subject:

Dear Railway3,

Regarding your future post, I'm reminded of Ishmael:

'And I only am escaped alone to tell thee'.

Just substitute a visa for the white whale.

Regards,
John

BillCowher · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 131 Location: Up in the air!!!

In 30 years more or less, when the oil straw makes that sucking empty sound the Saudis will be back to riding camels if they have saved enough money to buy some from forward thinking Kuwaitis. Of course they will all need notes from their employers (if anyone has jobs) just to buy a camel & they will have to have at least 15 useless documents signed by 37 useless, non-working Saudi layabouts who are too busy negotiating time off for "prayer" instead of actually doing their token job. They won't allow a Bangali or Filipino to do such an important thing as sign a document allowing a minor purchase so the camels will eventually be BBQd for lunch instead of being ridden to death.

Oh what a joy it will be!!!