Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear Kalima Shahada,

"If those same employers suddenly offered proper work visas, do you honesly think their policies would change?"

And if I had a vast fortune, do you think I'd be driving a ten year old car?

Those "same employers" are not going to "suddenly" offer legitimate work visas just because of who they are - disreputable, untrustworthy, and unscrupulous.


Have you read any of the previous posts?

"To all of you who intend to come to work for Alfaisal: do not arrive here on temp work visa! Alfaisal just refused to change those into proper work visas for 23 teachers and extend it to a single entry which effectively means that you cannot leave the country at all."

"I second the last post. I am also not disgruntled. I am tired of being lied to and tricked. I was given clearance to book my tickets for a break in February. After they were already booked and paid for i was told i can not leave the country. I was leaving for MY marriage ceremony."

"Who exactly is "unable to leave the Kingdom, even to go to Bahrain?" How are they being kept against their will on temporary work visas or business visas?"

Or perhaps you think that those posters are not telling the truth?

Regards,
John

[Kalima Shahada]

[johnslat]

Dear Kalima Shahada,

"What exactly is your point and how does it relate to this thread?"

It was contained in the next sentence, the one you quoted, and the point, quite simply, was that your "if conditional" was "unreal." Those same employers are not going to "suddenly" - or slowly - offer "proper work visas," any more than I'm going to suddenly - or slowly - acquire a vast fortune.


"You worked in Saudi a long time. John, you can't tell me that you never heard of a 'good' employer who hired people on 'illegal' visas?!"

Nope, never did. But then, perhaps I was hanging around with the wrong crowd. These "illegal visas" (not sure why we're putting the phrase in quotes since they it IS illegal to work and/or reside in Saudi while holding one) have, as far as I can tell, sprung up only fairly recently. I knew teachers who worked in many other places (including "language schools" such as International House), but they all had legal work visas during my time there.

"Fine, I don't disagree with you that they are most likely "disreputable, untrustworthy, and unscrupulous," but just remember that they are advertisers on THIS site and what you just said should raise quite a few eyebrows with the powers that be here."

Neither Dave nor the Mods will "raise an eyebrow" as long as I - or anyone else - doesn't include SPECIFIC information, such as individuals' names, e-mail address, etc.

For whatever reason the employer is using these "illegal visas," that would be a BIG red flag to me. In the late summer and fall, there were a number of posts from people who'd been hired and were going to be given an "illegal visa." At the time, some of us warned against accepting a job under those conditions. And now, we've begun to hear a few of the horror stories from some teachers who did accept such jobs.

Regards,
John

[scot47]

As someone who first came to work in KSA in 1970, I can confirm what John says about this. It is a recent phenomenon. Let us hope it is short-lived.

Some newish posters seem determined NOT to take advice from oldtimers who post here.

They have been warned about the dangers !

I am quite happy to reply to pm's from anyone inquiring about working in KSA and the problems associated with it. I cannot guarantee that inquirers will get the answers they want. I am not a people-pleaser, but tell it the way it is.

[lioness777]

To Khalima Shahada,

To answer your question "Why don't you just leave?" I will, you can bet on that! As soon as I get my passport back. Hopefully, the dreadful snow in Europe will blow over by then.

[Kalima Shahada]

[Cleopatra]