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EnglishDoYouSpeakIt
Joined: 19 May 2009
Posts: 151
Location: Saudi Arabia
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 Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:33 am Post subject: |
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| johnslat wrote: |
Dear prOc3ss,
"'ll have funds sent to a bank in the UK until work visa is sorted (if ever)"
If you're writing about funds you make in Saudi, is there a way to do that when you can't have a bank account there?
Regards,
John |
Yes. You can send money back for a small fee (less than 100 Riyals) from certain banks even if you aren't an account holder. |
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sheikher
Joined: 13 Jul 2009
Posts: 291
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lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 7:01 am Post subject: |
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My husband and I were on government/ business visas for the 2 academic semesters (10 months) we were there...
We hired a car. We got paid in cash and transfered money to Canada.
We were able to change jobs and easily move from Qassim University to KAU.
We travelled to Jordan and Bahrain on visa runs at our own expense though (exceptt IGIT paid for flight but not hotel and visa).
Make sure they promise to pay for your visa, flight and accomodation!
As far as medical the company reimbursed us. And in Qassim it was free even though we werw on government visas (don't ask me how that worked)
It is not the best solution but totally liveable.
A couple of our co-workers in Qassim hated it so much they did a midnight run. No way you could leave the country like that or change jobs on an igama. |
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PierogiMonster
Joined: 17 Jun 2010
Posts: 148
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:39 am Post subject: |
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Hi all
I'm considering accepting a job through Al Khaleej. In the Q & A doc they sent me, there is the following note:
What type of visa will employee be coming over on (employment, business, etc)? Single entry employment visa, or visit visa depending on availability.
Would I be right in thinking a 'visit visa' is the business visa, or is it some other type again? And are employment visas normally 'single entry'?
Thanks. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 10:19 am Post subject: |
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| You are not coming "on business". You are coming to work as an employee. The BUSINESS VISA is a scam. Don't get involved. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:00 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| We travelled to Jordan and Bahrain on visa runs at our own expense though (exceptt IGIT paid for flight but not hotel and visa). |
So you're basically subsidising your employers for the fact that they are having you work on an illegal basis?
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| Make sure they promise to pay for your visa, flight and accomodation! |
Thing is, since you are not covered by any Saudi law, you have absolutely NO way of making sure they pay for anything at all.
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| A couple of our co-workers in Qassim hated it so much they did a midnight run. No way you could leave the country like that or change jobs on an igama. |
Well, you can't 'change jobs' on a business (or 'government') visa either, because your status is illegal. As for doing a 'midnight run', people can and do do this on a proper work visa. You simply request an exit visa - most employers will give you a multiple exit visa on request - ask for your passport and off you go. Believe me, it's been done.
Besides, if the best recommendation you can give for a certain visa type is that it allows you to leave the country more quickly when the going gets tough, that's not saying much. |
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PierogiMonster
Joined: 17 Jun 2010
Posts: 148
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:33 am Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| You are not coming "on business". You are coming to work as an employee. The BUSINESS VISA is a scam. Don't get involved. |
Thanks: got it loud and clear. But is Al Khaleej's 'visit visa' a business visa or something else? |
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Grendal
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Posts: 861
Location: Lurking in the depths of the Faisaliah Tower underground parking.
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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| PierogiMonster wrote: |
| scot47 wrote: |
| You are not coming "on business". You are coming to work as an employee. The BUSINESS VISA is a scam. Don't get involved. |
Thanks: got it loud and clear. But is Al Khaleej's 'visit visa' a business visa or something else? |
Al-Khaleej deals with work visas that lead to iqamas. I know because they told me so. They were the first group that contacted me while I was in search of new employment, but not the last. I didn't like their compensation package especially with other offers pouring in with better incentives.
Grendal |
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lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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Not recommending it just saying that you can do it quite easily...
I did! And I planned all vacations with my hubby at the same time as visa runs so for me it was no big deal... |
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lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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Not recommending it just saying that you can do it quite easily...
I did! And I planned all vacations with my hubby at the same time as visa runs so for me it was no big deal..
. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I did! And I planned all vacations with my hubby at the same time as visa runs so for me it was no big deal.. |
Fine if it worked out that way for you, but it doesn't change the fact that you are effectively subsidising your employer's decision to bring you over on an illegal basis, no doubt saving them a very considerable amount of money and hassle in the process.
If your employer is going to employ you illegally for their (certainly not your) benefit, the least they can do is pay for any and all expenses you accrue in renewing your visa. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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Of course Cleo... those of us with MAs can make more demands than those without. It is beginning to seem to me... just reading on here... that more and more employers are using business visas rather than legal work visas if don't require MAs.
It is, of course, just my perception, but it appears that it is about 50/50 these days based on postings. It used to be that nearly all the posts were about the paperwork for the legal visa... and now it is mostly a debate on whether people should accept these business visas or not have a paycheck.
As long as people need jobs, the employers are going to be able to get away with cutting their costs by cutting employees' rights and pay. There is really little that can be done to stop it if unemployment isn't an option.
VS |
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hsm
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Posts: 65
Location: Second Floor
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Would I be right in thinking a 'visit visa' is the business visa, or is it some other type again? |
A visit visa is usually for 60 days then expires. It should be extended prior to expiry date otherwise a heavy fine will be imposed if you are still in KSA. You can extend it a number of times - each time usually for 60 days and you have to pay fees.
The "good" news is you don't have to travel abroad and return back to extend it.
The bad news is "you are not authorized to work"...You are supposed to be just visiting somebody not working for somebody.
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| that more and more employers are using business visas rather than legal work visas if don't require MAs. |
This phenomenon is associated with PYP rather than demand on MAs in particular. Many teachers are employed and many of them quit after one year or so. Why should the employer take the pains and costs of getting a work visa for someone who is not going to stay for a long time. This could be stereotyping but anyone who lives in KSA will know what I mean. I'm not playing the devil's advocate but think of it from the perspective of the employer: short-term business.
Last edited by hsm on Tue Sep 14, 2010 1:24 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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The governmrnt knows what is going on and they accept it. In fact the prince who is in charge of Qassim knew and made special concessions so that we would not have to pay for our hospital visits when even though we were all on an incorrect visa.
I guess the old timers will have to understand that this is the new way they are doing things and it is an acceptable alternative to some.
I was never worried about working illegally. I was working at a government university with the knowledge of the ministry of education.
In fact every one of my visas had the name of the university on them in Arabic.
I think the universities and ministry officials are rather relieved that there is a backdoor in.
As far as the visa costs go I was planning on going on a vacation and the govt visa (edex gave us) cost nothing. It is different to the business visa which is quite expensive.
At that point with IGIT I chose to do the business visa as opposed to going home for months to process an igama (during which time I would not have been paid).
In my case the business visa was benificial. Igit is definitly in the wrong for not paying for the visa and the accomodation associated with it. So if you go with IGIT be warned!
I will stand by my opinion based on experience that it is fine to go on a business visa. You will only get in trouble if your conpany doesn't renew it on time.
If you are willing to go without a bank account and you don't want to buy a car you'll be fine on a business visa.
If you wanna make a life in Saudi on a longer term basis and need to bring inyour family, buy a car, get a credit card etc you will definitly need an igama! Cleo is right on that one!
Oh yes, another thing to note from my perspective is that my husband and I come from 2 different countries. We would have to go to our home countries to process the igama. For us a business visa is preferable because we do not have to live apart for weeks. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| I guess the old timers will have to understand that this is the new way they are doing things and it is an acceptable alternative to some. |
it's only 'the new way' for unscrupulous employers. I started a new job in KSA almost exactly a year ago, and am on a proper work visa.
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| In fact every one of my visas had the name of the university on them in Arabic. |
Of course - somebody has to sponsor you! Universities and other organisations regularly invite people over on 'business/visit' visas. That doesn't mean they have the right to work.
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| I was never worried about working illegally. I was working at a government university with the knowledge of the ministry of education. |
Like I said before, the danger isn't that you'll be arrested, the danger is that you are putting yourself in a situation where you can expect absolutely noothing from your employer - because your status is illegal. This remains the case even if the local emir is in on the deal.
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| Oh yes, another thing to note from my perspective is that my husband and I come from 2 different countries. We would have to go to our home countries to process the igama. |
Why? You can apply for a work visa in any country in which you can prove residence. If that's not possible, one of you can go as the other person's 'dependent'. You don't have to leave the Kingdom to process the igama - in fact, you cannot leave the Kingdom when an iqama is being processed. |
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