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havinganicetime
Joined: 19 Jul 2009
Posts: 14
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 Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject: Temporary Work visa |
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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? |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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| 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. |
I think myself and others have previously told you that there's no such thing as applying for 'a 2 year permanent visa' (sic). You - with the sponsorship of your, er, sponsor - apply for a work visa which is valid for 3 months from the date of entry. Having entered the Kingdom, you - or rather your sponsor - then applies for an igama on your behalf. This is usually valid for one year renewable, though it's possible that longer periods may be granted - I'm not sure.
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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.
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The din of alarm bells ringing is deafening! As an employee, you never pay the visa fees. You may have to pay for such things as medical tests or couriers, but your sponsor should refund this on your arrival in KSA. They should also - in fact if I'm not mistaken are legally obliged to - pay all relevant visa fees to the Ministry in Riyadh. The whole idea of charging an applicant for a visa positively screams 'cowboy operator'.
BTW if anyone hear has ever heard of a 'six month work visa' I'll be interested to hear of it, as in all my years working in KSA, I never have. |
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havinganicetime
Joined: 19 Jul 2009
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| It sounds to me as if they want to bring you in with a business visa. |
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havinganicetime
Joined: 19 Jul 2009
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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| 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? |
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manowur
Joined: 30 Oct 2008
Posts: 68
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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Linda467
Joined: 01 Sep 2009
Posts: 138
Location: A Secret
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| Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject: Visas |
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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) |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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