Job Discussion Forums

[Asda]

Dear all,

I have a few problems which I need some advice on. Although you yourselves may not know what the procedures are, perhaps somebody you work with may do. Apologies if neither is the case for you...

I was meant to be flying back to Saudi with my family (wife + kids) and my mother on 16 Sep. However, on 12 Sep, my mother was admitted into hospital with minor(ish) heart problems, so I extended until 28 Sep. On 24 Sep, my mother had a cardiac arrest (where the heart actually stops!) and was in intensive care for about a week. I then extended my tickets until the 7 Oct as that was the theoretical maximum possible extension of my ticket without paying excess.

Thankfully, although she is out of Intensive Care (a WHOLE story in itself!), the outlook ranges from bleak to slow and uncertain. She has a lot of fluid in the lungs which she's had for quite a while but would no doubt be further exacerbated after this recent episode. The heart is quite weak, which resulted in another arrest on Sunday night in fact. Thank God, she was revived, eventually regained consciousness and was in pretty much the same state as before! A miracle some would say!!

At the moment, her breathing is mainly with the aid of an oxygen mask. Her heart is pumping, she is breathing without a ventilator and she can communicate in a very coherent manner. That said, it is still very much touch and go, especially as she has an infection (which may or may not have been contracted from Intensive Care! Even the doctors said it fairly flippantly!!) - critical but stable might be the best description.

I have made a decision to stay with my mother until...I don't know, as long as it takes I guess as I only have one mother, right?! Full recovery (to be discharged from hospital) is quite a long way away but then again if something far more serious were to happen, I'd kick myself - I'm sure you all understand.

Work wise, The Dean of our college will probably only be so sympathetic, which I totally understand. Meaning that if I get canned, I get canned. However, my Iqama is up for renewal on 18th Dhul Qa'dah (around a month from now) and my exit re-rentry visa says I have to be back in the country by 3 Nov.

What could/would happen to one such as me if I were to arrive back into the country with an expired visa and iqama...?!? If it's more hassle than it's worth, then maybe I can upgrade my tickets to the 3-month fare...so a lot of things in the mix!

The temptation (for about 1 millisecond!) is there to stay here and forget everything in Saudi, but there are a few issues like our things out there, selling the car etc which make it not so tempting after all.

I don't mind if advice is sent public, as it may benefit others. I will try to get as much info out of the Embassy here in London (blood out of a stone?)...

Thanks for taking the time out to read this...

[littleoldlady]

Good to hear of someone putting family before work.

Good luck.
lol

[scot47]

If you are out oif KSA and your exit/re-entry expires, you have to start again from the beginning. I recall a case wher someone went on vacation. While in the US his father died. He did not come back before the appointed date. His igama and visa expired. Took him nearly a year to get back.

Come back and negotiate is my advice.

[007]

[Asda]

Many thanks for your advice...

[Didah]

Hi Asda,

I am sorry to hear about your mother. I had a similar situation a couple of years ago. I had to return to the states when my mother broke her hip and then had other medical complications that necessitated that I stay with her in the states. I told my employer the situation and even though I offered to return to out process, we decided that I did not have to come back and my things were sent to me. Since then, the situation has changed and I am in a position to return to the KSA. Perhaps your employer will let you return to do the paper work and then go back and until your mother is in better health. I found that the Saudis are not that sympathetic about these things. However, if you could go back to the KSA and get your paperwork done before it expires and you have your job secured it may be easier than having to start the process over again. From my own experience here in the states, the KSA embassy is just making getting a work visa harder than ever.

I am using the same passport that my Saudi visa and multiple entry permit from my previous employer. Along with the other documents needed for the new visa, the KSA embassy in Washington D.C. also required me to obtain a Letter of No Objection from my previous employer. They supplied the letter and I am just waiting for the visa to be approved.

Like some of our other colleagues have said on this post, it is commendable for you to put your family first. Staying with my mother during her illness was one of the best decisions I ever made. I got to spend a lot of time with her and it was worth it. I hope your mother gets well soon and that you don't experience too many complications getting back to the Tragic Kingdom.

I wish you and your family the best of luck.

[Middle East Beast]

Hi Asda,

I, too, am sorry to hear about your mother, and I hope she recovers soon.

Like Didah, I had a similar situation several years ago. I was working in the Dingdong of Saudi Arabia when I learned that my mom had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I was set to go back to be with her, but my wife (ex- now, thank God) insisted that I continue working there so the life I "owed" her would not be interrupted.

I'll always regret having missed most of the last year of my mom's life.

You have done the right thing. I commend you for it.

You should still be able to get to the DSA if that's what you really want.

To Didah,

"...the Tragic Kingdom."

I like that.

All the best,

MEB

[Mia Xanthi]

[trapezius]

Please don't mock the Kingdom of Humanity

[Cleopatra]

[scot47]

I have experienced different employers in KSA. Some were compassionate. Some were not.

[scot47]

I have experienced different employers in KSA. Some were compassionate. Some were not.

[007]

Uncle Scott, you do not need to repeat yourself, your message is very clear.

[Middle East Beast]

[Cleopatra]