Job Discussion Forums

havinganicetime · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 14

I am posting on this again because I don't think I made myself too clear in the other post about a six month work visa.

I applied for a 2 year permanent visa. Due to administrative problems that I won't go into here, the visa was denied, all of my time-consuming, expensive and lengthy efforts were in vain.

My employer wants me to enter on a six month work visa - quite expensive, about $300. Not clear who pays. Apparently there will be another $300 fee on the other end.

I know that I can not get an iqama or open a bank account with this multiple entry/exit visa. I understand that I CAN get a mobile phone and an internet connection. Not sure if there are other restrictions.

What I REALLY am not clear about is WHERE the two year permanent visa will be done? My understanding is that it CAN NOT be done in KSA. Must I return to home country? To Bahrain? Must I do all medical tests, police report etc. all over again?

ANYONE have any idea about any of this?

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject:

havinganicetime · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 14

Well, I am confused. The 6 month visa (the consulate confirmed that it IS six months) I am supposed to get does not require any of the elaborate paper work that I did originally. The original visa had a nominal fee but it was rejected due to administrative problems beyond my control and the money refunded. I was told that I must leave the Kingdom before the end of 6 months to get a visa for the remainder of the contract. Anyway my confusion is the reason I am posting here. With the holiday the employer is not available to answer questions.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It sounds to me as if they want to bring you in with a business visa.

havinganicetime · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 14

I don't know if it is a business visa. It is certainly very expensive and I'd like some assurance that I'll get reimbursed. If it IS a business visa, how does it work -- how does the 'normal' visa get processed and WHERE?

manowur · Joined: 30 Oct 2008 Posts: 68

Read it and weep people...

I didn't believe it either, but it appears as if there is indeed such a thing as a "Temporary Work" visa.

Here's the proof (#14):

http://www.visaenterprise.com/requirementsNew.php?destination=Saudi-Arabia

Thoughts anyone? Canadians may know best.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject:

I wonder - if I didn't say "New Visa Type", " I'd think that this is the three month visa that almost everyone has to get on their initial trip to Saudi.
Then, when you get here, you get your iqama.

The Saudi Embassy in Canberra also offers ii:

TEMPORARY WORK VISIT VISA

In addition to the above General Instructions:

Number and date of your visa authorisation issued by the Saudi Foreign Ministry. This should be arranged by the sponsor in Saudi Arabia.
Contract for temporary work signed by the sponsoring company and the applicant.
Original of your degree/diploma.
Certificate showing at least 2 years prior work experience in a similar/related field of work.
Visa Fee is AUD 88.00 (single entry visa) or AUD 220.00 (multiple entry visa).

and here's an informative site:

"Q: How long will it take to obtain my residency visa?

Initially, you will enter Saudi Arabia on a temporary work visa that is valid for three months, and which is sponsored by the hospital. Once you arrive, the hospital will ask for your passport to process your Iqama. The Igama can take between two and three months for the hospital to obtain.

http://www.hziegler.com/locations/middle-east/saudi-arabia/articles/faq.html

http://www.hziegler.com/locations/middle-east/saudi-arabia/articles/visa-process-for-saudi-arabia-for-americans.html

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

John,

You�re exactly right, that matches the information given to me by my Embassy in Riyadh.

As a matter of curiosity, are you still coming back to KSA or you are retired?

Regards,

Macarena (aka Linda 467)

johnslat · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject:

Dear Linda467,
While I haven't "retired" (I still teach ESL part-time at Santa Fe Community College, about 14 or 15 hours a week) I'm too old (66) to go back to the Kingdom.
Besides, although I may exasperate my lovely wife on occasion, I know she wouldn't like me to go, anyway.
Moreover, spending nineteen years in the Kingdom may be enough for anyone who's not a native there.
Regards,
John

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:27 pm Post subject:

Oh!!! Community College!!! I always thought that S.F.C.C. always stood for Santa Fe Communist Commune!

Boy, do I have egg on my face! Embarassed

NCTBA

johnslat · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject:

Dear NCTBA,
Well, Santa Fe is a bastion of progressive, socialist, bleeding-heart liberalism in a state dominated by Roman Catholic, socially conservative, Hispanic residents.
So, you weren't too far off the mark.
Regards,
John

manowur · Joined: 30 Oct 2008 Posts: 68

johnslat,

So now my question is why there is a distinction made between the "Employment" and "Temporary work" visas?
From your explanation, it sounds like they are one in the same, although the requirements necessary to obtain them are very different.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject:

Well, here's the site's description of a "Business Visa" - and this IS a commercial site, not a Saudi government site.
Business Visa

"This type of visa is permitted only to an applicant who works for a company registered in Canada, which is involved in a business relationship with a company in Saudi Arabia and wants to represent the Canadian company. Women traveling without a mahram who wish to apply for a business or a working visit visa should review visa requirements No. 2 and No. 3."

On the USA Saudi Embassy site, there's still no mention of this "Temporary Work Visa":

http://www.saudiembassy.net/services/

nor is there any mention on the Saudi embassy in Canada:

http://www.mofa.gov.sa/Detail.asp?InSectionID=2813&InNewsItemID=53823

So, it's rather confusing - hmm, how unusual for Saudi Arabia
Smile

Reagrds,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:26 am Post subject:

Been away for a few days, but I have to concur with what other posters have been saying.

You enter the country on a 3 month visa which can then be converted to a 1-year visa/iqama. There is no such thing, so far as anyone here seems to know, of a '6 month business visa'. And you certainly should not be paying hundreds of $ to get any sort of visa - that is your employer's responsibility. As I said before, this sceams 'scam'. Run a mile. Or even 2 miles.

ThaneKerner · Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Posts: 139