Job Discussion Forums

[David9]

Hey Everyone,

I'm a newbie who has just received his visa and is looking forward to getting off the ground. My invitation was for a 5yr business visa, but the embassy gave me a visa with a 60 day duration of stay. I'm wondering how difficult it is to extend my visa once in Saudi. The process here in the states has been as I'm sure many of you know arduous and I'm wondering if doing things from within KSA will be easier. Any advice you could give would be very helpful.

Thanks,

D

[johnslat]

Dear David9,

Hardly anything is ever done more easily in Saudi than in the States (unless you have wasta - rough translation: clout, influence, etc.)
Getting your visa extended will depend entirely upon how much time and effort your future employer is willing to invest.

Are you a teacher? Going over on a business visa in really not such as good idea as you will be working illegally there. Visitors with business visas are not legally allowed to work in the Kingdom.

By the way, this sounds odd: "5 yr business visa." I've never heard of a business visa for such an extended period. Usually, they are quite temporary, for only a few months at most.


Regards,
John

[David9]

John,

Thanks a lot for the insight. I am a teacher, a real green horn though, I have a couple years of experience in the US. However this will be my first experience working abroad.

I figured as much regarding the efforts of my employer. But being that I'm young and my employer is willing to buy my ticket and provide accommodations I figure I might as well give it a shot.

Thanks again,

David

[Mia Xanthi]

As has been said many times on this forum, just "giving it a try" can mean walking into a long, painful nightmare. What you need is a work visa, which allows you to get an iqama. An iqama is an identity card that is necessary for literally everything in KSA. If you go in on a shorter business visa, you are usually looking at months of being at the mercy of your employer. You will not be able to open a bank account, send money home, or buy a car. You will not be able to leave for vacations in many cases. You will have no protection under the law since you are working illegally. You will have no guarantee of a permanent job. I have seen people wait for 6+ months, only to be finally told they were ineligible for an iqama and unceremoniously booted out without even time to properly pack or sell their stuff.

Everything is in limbo until you get a work visa and an iqama. Many end up running out on their employers because the wait is too frustrating and they cannot tolerate the uncertainty or the helpless feeling any longer. Sorry to giive you the bald truth in such a negative way, but you need to be aware
before you go.

[Muhammed Abbas Khan]

Dear David,
Firstly, who is this employer?
A business visa can not as far as I am aware be changed in to a more permanent work or residency visa. So the mention of a five year contract is irrelevant - you have no legal status their as an employee. In addition, please be wary of any employer who seeks to bring you to KSA on a business visa:
(A) because they may not pay you (one individual that I met who was an EFL teacher had not been paid for six months).
(B) In the event that you want to leave the country you will easily be able to do so as employers do not take your passport if the have called you on a business visa (definitely do not hand your passport over to them)
(C) you can therefore make a hasty exit if needs be - but of course you will forfeit perhaps your salary and perhaps any monetary compensation that may be due to you.- that is a small price to pay for ones sanity and dignity (please search 'sheiker' on this forum - something about an asylum for the insane and court cases)
(D) In the event that one is legally in KSA and at odds with his employer it can be difficult to obtain 'justice' (we as foreigners are sometimes oblivious to the law and system so justice is not necessarily what we want it to be - i.e I have worked so pay me my money (if an employer wishes they can withhold your money from you for a number of legally valid reasons. Imagine if you are there working illegally!
Finally, do not be naive and go on a business visa.
In the event that an employer wants you for the time that you have mentioned i.e five years you would think that they would be prepared to send you a regular work visa.

Regards,

Muhammed Abbas Khan

[johnslat]

Dear Muhammed Abbas Khan,

You summed it all up very nicely - excellent post.

Thanks,
John