Job Discussion Forums

[CAPIVARA]

Dear Colleagues,
I'm age 65 now and considering returning to Saudi. Previously, in the Middle East, I've worked in the Emirates, Oman, and most recently, 4 years in Saudi as a direct hire to universities.

However it appears that over 65, getting hired is a problem, and that maybe it is now, very difficult to get contracted directly to a university at age 65 and over. (or is it?)

I know that some of you are adamately against people working on other types of visas- only the Iqama , and I can understand this.

For those of us that are "over the hill", conditions may have changed, and perhaps, we can no longer have the luxury of working on an Iquama.

What do you think or know, my colleagues, who are are in the middle of a lot of correspondence on the blogs about just this problem?

Thanks,
and cheers,
Capivara

[Mia Xanthi]

I worked with a number of colleagues.who were over 65 at PMU. That's been a few years ago now, and I don't know if policies or laws have changed since then. My guess is that it probably depends more on your qualifications and particularly on how desperately they need you at the time. Since PMU has received a lot of bad press lately, and since male EFL teachers seem to be frequently in short supply, you could end up being offered a contract. Be careful, though..there are good reasons why PMU has more teachers leaving than coming in!

[Sheikh N Bake]

The age limit in the Gulf for new employees is resoundingly 60, not 65.

[veiledsentiments]

There are likely a few teachers there who are over 65, but they have been there for a number of years. Unless you or whoever wants to hire you has significant wasta, I can't see you starting a new position at this age.

But do report back if you can prove us wrong. Good Luck!

VS

[2buckets]

Some employers are willing to take you on, but the difficulty comes from the gov't not wanting issue a long term visa.

Wasta trumps all though.

[scot47]

Surprising how often people want to come back - even if they were miserable here the first time round ! Must be comthjing to do with the allure of the Saudi Riyal !

[Sheikh N Bake]

..and repatriating those petrodollars...and using them for a comfy retirement somewhere I want to be.

[patch69]

PSMCHS at KFMMC, Dhahran is always looking for English instructors.
They don't seem to mind teachers over 65.
The oldest teacher in recent memory was 71 when he decided to call it quits.
The college has a couple of fellas who appear to want to break the record and get carried out boots first.
PSMCHS is not a bad place to work.
If you can tolerate living in a rundown apartment building, you might want to consider applying. Although, give yourself at least five months for processing.
Saudis are in charge of recruiting. That says it all.

[CAPIVARA]

Thanks fellas, for the advice, I have located some posts on that from here

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=79150&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

and have sent them my resume.

Capivara