Job Discussion Forums

desert_traveller · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 335

whats the deal with this issue, some employers insist that the employee can have either iqama or passport in hand, referring to some obscure government regulations that no one has every seen (not the only such one i guess), others are quite easy going in this respect, letting you carry or at least keep both, and others make it easy for themselves by retaining possession of both

are there any facts (i know, lol, but still) with regards to this?

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:55 am Post subject:

desert_traveller · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 335

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:14 am Post subject:

The full text (in English) of Saudi labour law is a few hundred pages long - are you certain there's no reference to this regulation therein? I can't say I've 'seen' this regulation either, but I haven't 'seen' most laws, which does not mean they don't exist.

However, even if you are 100% sure that Saudi law does not require the employer to retain either the passport or the iqama, how is this going to help you in practice? Are you going to get into an argument with HR over the minutiae of Saudi law? Good luck to you on that one. If having to hand over your passport bothers you, the best thing is to find an employer who is not strict about this. Ask other teachers what the practice is in their college, being aware that policies can change overnight.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:51 pm Post subject:

Dear desert_traveller,

"it seems to be just an urban myth that has taken off on its own momentum."

If it's a "myth," then Saudi is a land where "myths" become reality. Let's make a distinction here between working for Saudis and working for, say,
a "Western" company.
While I've heard that some "Western companies" will allow you to keep your passport, with all the "Saudi employers" (government and private) that I'm aware of, this isn't the case.
Of course, that doesn't mean that there might not be exceptions; maybe some other posters can specifically list a "Saudi employer" that lets the employees hold onto BOTH their passports AND their iqamas.

Regards,
John.

trapezius · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:54 pm Post subject:

I have never heard of any company keeping the iqama, as that's THE document the police will ask for if they stop you on the streets. That's how you prove you are legal here. Just because you have your passport doesn't mean you are legal (unless on a business visa).

johnslat · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:04 pm Post subject:

You HAVE TO have either your passport or your iqama ON YOUR person when you are in Saudi.
Working for the Saudi government (the IPA) I would always hand in my passport to HR upon my return to Saudi and get back my iqama (which I had handed in upon my departure.)
I wouldn't see my passport again until I left Saudi again (and handed in my iqama.)
Regards,
John

trapezius · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject:

What I am saying is that if you have an iqama, you HAVE to have it on you, as per the law.

If you are here on some temporary visa (Umrah, business, etc), then of course you have to carry your passport with you. The visa lists the expiration date.

But if you are a legal resident here, i.e., have an iqama, having your passport on your person doesn't prove that you are here legally. That's why the iqama must be carried.

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject:

Dear Cleopatra,

" . . . but their inefficiency/indifference meant that in practice we often got to keep both."

Proving yet once again that the inefficiency (and laziness/incompetence) that one has occasion to encounter in Saudi has both a downside (admittedly large) and an upside (regrettably less large.)

Regards,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject:

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