|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:40 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
Mabruk KS!! You are obviously one of a kind... the first American in the Middle East that I've encountered since 1985 who got helped by a US embassy that didn't have to be blown up first.
But for any readers out there. Expect to get little or nothing from your embassy if you are American. With luck, you may even encounter a pleasant individual - who will give you a list, but rudeness has long been the rule of thumb for way too many of them...
VS |
They were very kind and professional with me. There was no hint of rudeness, even when I lost my patience. Nevertheless, I was still respectful and I trusted them. They didn't let me down! I wouldn't hestitate to recommend that people first try the US Embassy (at least call them), especially if they are seriously in danger. However, the embassy will not help you to get paid! They don't care about you being paid! These people only care about your safety and getting you out of the country (if that's what you want). |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Englishish
Joined: 01 Oct 2009
Posts: 78
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
When we were blocked at the airport from leaving, the immigration police tried to explain that the block that came up in their computer system says that we were needed by the company.
This is a dangerous precedent for anyone entering the country on a business visa. Since any sponsor can put such a block in place and be the only one who can take it off. |
If you are working in Saudi with a work visa (and presumably will have also gone on to get the iqama/residence permit), do you need permission from your employer to get the exit visa to leave Saudi or not? I was confused by the quote from the above poster which implies in effect that permission is not required for those on work visas. Anyone? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tacomaboywa
Joined: 18 Jan 2009
Posts: 194
Location: The Magic Kingdom
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Kalima Shahada wrote: |
| Englishish wrote: |
Taco says
| Quote: |
When we were blocked at the airport from leaving, the immigration police tried to explain that the block that came up in their computer system says that we were needed by the company.
This is a dangerous precedent for anyone entering the country on a business visa. Since any sponsor can put such a block in place and be the only one who can take it off. |
Am I missing something here? I was under the impression from other posts on the forum that you needed permission from your employer to get the exit visa to leave Saudi Arabia regardless as to whether you were on a business visa or a work visa. Can someone clarify? |
Yeah, I've already asked the question many weeks ago and it was only partially answered. Seems they don't require an exit visa because you would not be considered a resident. That is what one person said. You'd think with all this combined experience of these people on here, that they would have the ability to answer such a simple question. I guess not! |
KS, perhaps you did have a good experience with the US Embassy. I didn't and this was last year. I would like to know the names of those who helped you. Just PM me them please. I'd like to do a follow-up about the crazy M-Trading.
As for the above question, I did try to give you an answer to it in the other section. By the way, YOUR WELCOME! From experience and reading information online, specifically the Saudi Embassy site, it is fairly certain that only those who are on a visa that gives you the right to reside in KSA will need to receive an exit visa. The government visa (new one) is sort of like a Business Visa and both do not give you the right to WORK or RESIDE in KSA. Therefore, they do not require an exit visa.
As a side note: The sponsor can put a block on a Business Visa and most likely a Government Visa as well. (extreme situation - I hope).
KS, is this clear enough yet?
http://www.tulbah.org/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dear
"I wouldn't hestitate to recommend that people first try the US Embassy (at least call them), especially if they are seriously in danger."
By all means, give them a call first - provided they're still there answering the phones. They weren't back in 1979 in the US consulate in Shiraz, Iran.
That was my first post overseas, and naive as I was, I actually registered with the consulate. When the "Islamic Revolution" there started to heat up, some of us attempted to call, but got no pick-up. Upon going to the consulate, we found the building locked and boarded up. It seems the staff there decided to make a hasty exit, without, of course, notifying any of us who had registered with them that they would no longer to available for any help.
But that was long ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Certainly matters have much improved since then. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Englishish
Joined: 01 Oct 2009
Posts: 78
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| The sponsor can put a block on a Business Visa and most likely a Government Visa as well. (extreme situation - I hope). |
So you don't need an exit visa if you're on a Business or Government visa (because they don't entitle you to live in Saudi) but your sponsor can block you from leaving. Whereas with a work visa, you DO need permission from your sponsor to get an exit visa to leave?
So in effect, you need permission (or at least no objection) from your sponsor either way!
I think I'm starting to understand why nobody wanted to answer my question now! Thanks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tacomaboywa
Joined: 18 Jan 2009
Posts: 194
Location: The Magic Kingdom
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Englishish wrote: |
| Quote: |
| The sponsor can put a block on a Business Visa and most likely a Government Visa as well. (extreme situation - I hope). |
So you don't need an exit visa if you're on a Business or Government visa (because they don't entitle you to live in Saudi) but your sponsor can block you from leaving. Whereas with a work visa, you DO need permission from your sponsor to get an exit visa to leave?
So in effect, you need permission (or at least no objection) from your sponsor either way!
I think I'm starting to understand why nobody wanted to answer my question now! Thanks! |
Yes, but the block on a Business/Government Visa is rare and I think most sponsors don't know about it. Generally, if you have a non-residential visa you can simply leave when you feel like it.
People on a work visa should ask your employer to get you the exit/reentry visa. This is their responsibility (in most cases).
http://www.tulbah.org/
Last edited by tacomaboywa on Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| johnslat wrote: |
| Certainly matters have much improved since then. |
Ah, John...after patiently bidding my time...I've finally got you where I want you...
IRONY ALERT!!!  ...  ...
NCTBA |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Englishish wrote: |
| Quote: |
| The sponsor can put a block on a Business Visa and most likely a Government Visa as well. (extreme situation - I hope). |
So you don't need an exit visa if you're on a Business or Government visa (because they don't entitle you to live in Saudi) but your sponsor can block you from leaving. Whereas with a work visa, you DO need permission from your sponsor to get an exit visa to leave?
So in effect, you need permission (or at least no objection) from your sponsor either way!
I think I'm starting to understand why nobody wanted to answer my question now! Thanks! |
First, you get your work visa and land in the KSA. Then, you beg your employer for a multiple entry with your Iqama, which can take from two weeks (some people are lucky) to many months or even NEVER! If you are one of the lucky ones, you get your Iqama with a multiple entry and then you can leave when you want. Also, bear in mind that you have to have the second medical in Saudi in order to get the Iqama. Most people aren't in any hurry to get that medical, so that can slow things down.
YOU CAN'T LEAVE SAUDI WITHOUT AN EXIT VISA (ON A WORK VISA) BEFORE YOU GET THE IQAMA WITH A MULTIPLE ENTRY STAMP.
If your employer wishes to keep you in Saudi Arabia for three months and never give you an Iqama, they can do that. Also, an exit visa is an ORDER to leave the country. So you must leave on the day and time that is on your exit visa. This is very strict! Saudi is like no other country! Can you see that? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Also, an exit visa is an ORDER to leave the country. So you must leave on the day and time that is on your exit visa. This is very strict! Saudi is like no other country! |
That's a final exit visa. A normal exit visa you either use within the designated time or cancel; if not there's an SR1,000 fine.
Saudi is no different from other countries in this respect. Overstay your visa in the UK or US and expect consequences.
| Quote: |
| If your employer wishes to keep you in Saudi Arabia for three months and never give you an Iqama, they can do that. |
He'd have to give you your salary up to that time and pay your fare back. Most employers put a three month probation period into the contract, so within that three-month period you can be fired and the salary and airfare is all you're due. Why they should not get you an iqama as they can do that is beyond me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
"So you must leave on the day and time that is on your exit visa. This is very strict! Saudi is like no other country! Can you see that?"
What nonsense ! The poster is simply WRONG. He has confused the exit/re-entry visa (single or multiple) with the final exit visa.
More and more posters are coming on here with very dubious information.
(Or is it only KS ?)
Let the reader beware ! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tacomaboywa
Joined: 18 Jan 2009
Posts: 194
Location: The Magic Kingdom
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well, that's what the forums are here for. Hopefully the accurate information will come out. People always have to be wary of what they read.
Recap:
Business/Government Visa:
Does not allow for WORK or Residence in KSA
Does not require an exit visa.
Sponsor can place a block on the visa (rare)
No Iqauma with this visa.
Employment Visa:
Allows for work and residence in KSA.
Must have an exit/reentry visa (multiple is best) to leave KSA and return
Must have a Final Exit Visa (which you must exit by the date on it)
You get the Iqauma with this visa
I hope this helps others. Please add additional information as needed.
Last edited by tacomaboywa on Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tacomaboywa
Joined: 18 Jan 2009
Posts: 194
Location: The Magic Kingdom
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:44 pm Post subject: Back on track! |
|
|
OK, let's get back on track here. Does anyone have additional information on M-Trading? Any updates on those who are still in Hail?
http://www.tulbah.org/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tacomaboywa
Joined: 18 Jan 2009
Posts: 194
Location: The Magic Kingdom
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| johnslat wrote: |
Dear tacomaboywa,
"People always have to be weary of what they read."
Indeed, given the soporific, nature of so many posts. But I'd say they also should be wary, as well.
Regards,
John |
Whoops! That post has been corrected. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
Dear tacomaboywa,
"Dear tacomaboywa,
"People always have to be weary of what they read."
Indeed, given the soporific, nature of so many posts. But I'd say they also should be wary, as well.
Regards,
John"
Whoops - that post had been deleted. When you made the correction, I didn't see any need to keep it up.
Regards,
John |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| scot47 wrote: |
"So you must leave on the day and time that is on your exit visa. This is very strict! Saudi is like no other country! Can you see that?"
What nonsense ! The poster is simply WRONG. He has confused the exit/re-entry visa (single or multiple) with the final exit visa.
More and more posters are coming on here with very dubious information.
(Or is it only KS ?)
Let the reader beware ! |
Yes, do beware that scot47 has managed to twist and turn everything I've said! I will assume that people who have good sense can see what I'm talking about here.
I'm not talking about an "exit/re-entry visa!" READ it again!
Obviously the people at M-Trading aren't interested in a re-entry. They would be interested in an exit visa only. Of course that would cancel their current visa, but that's not their concern now is it?
Embassy contacts were sent to tacomaboywa. Has scot47 provided more help or other alternatives? Nope! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
