Job Discussion Forums

[snowsilver]

Anything to worry about when doing this?

Son has completed two years. Has exit visa and has been assured he is "good to go". However, he has not been required to close out bank account or even terminate housing (this is ok because his roommate is still in the house but the contract is in son's name).

He is a little concerned that he will get to airport, try to turn over iqama and suddenly have to present proof that he has done all this. Passport officer at Dallah Hospital (where he is employed) says "no problem" you are "good to go".

That would be reassuring anywhere else, but as we all know, not necessarily true in Saudi. Anyone got any info on this?

Thanks

[Middle East Beast]

It's normal to feel a bit of trepidation when leaving KSA on your final exit visa.

I haven't been in Saudi Arabia for more than 2 years, but if the law hasn't changed, then you don't have to close your bank account. I have left on exit visas that way.

I don't know about the housing (it's always been provided by the employer in my cases).

Your son should have a letter from his employer stating that he's essentially "good to go," i.e. he owes no debts, isn't wanted by the cops, etc. The officer at passport control at the airport will look at that, take it, and then take his iqama. Then he'll be...FREE!

It's a great feeling to leave the passport control area, and the feeling gets better when he boards the plane, and he just might feel like dancing in the aisle when the wheels are in the well!

My congratulations to him for completing two years there...it is an accomplishment.

MEB

[It's Scary!]

Tell your son to follow MEB's advice closely! There was a time that people had perfectly good vacations destroyed by the passport control agents noting that traffic tickets "hadn't been paid"...MONTHS AFTER THEY HAD BEEN, BUT SOMEONE HAD BEEN TO LAZY TO DO THEIR JOB!

At that time, we followed a "trust, but verify" policy (i.e. Go to the airport with the receipt of the paid-off ticket!). There is no justice in Saudi for these things unless you know people. Dallah is pretty good, so much so that I agreed to be operated on there. Any written assurances received officially by them should do the trick!

It's Scary!

P.s.- Did he get his ring from the Batha souk?

[snowsilver]

Thanks, both of you. I'm emailing him your responses.

And yes, Scary, he got the ring there. It is quite lovely.

[It's Scary!]

[sheikh radlinrol]

I�m confused by this thread for the following reasons.
1 I understood that it was illegal in KSA to be in possession of both your passport and Iqama at the same time.
2 If you were to hand over your Iqama at the airport then you would obviously be holding both documents.
3 When I exited KSA I had to surrender my Iqama to my employer on the last day and was given my passport. I didn�t take my my Iqama to the airport to hand it over.

[johnslat]

Dear sheikh,

That agrees with my experience, as well. I think you're right about its not being legal to have both the iqama and passport in one's possession at the same time.

Regards,
John

[Middle East Beast]

[sheikh radlinrol]

Thank you John and MEB. My point was that if your employer returned your passport to you then you were �good to go�. A decent employer would check. But then again some employers in KSA are not exactly decent. Mine was.

[johnslat]

Dear MEB,

I'm surprised your employer let you hold onto the iqama; as far as I'm aware, it's the employer who gets fined if you've exited and the iqama hasn't been returned.

"Exit Visa

Should you go on leave or undertake a business trip outside the Kingdom, your sponsor will obtain an exit/re-entry visa, which is a stamp in your passport, and temporarily withdraw your residence permit. Having completed your stay or contract, you�re issued with an exit-only stamp in your passport and are required to surrender the residence permit."

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:w4Qtc24qoB4J:www.justlanded.com/english/Saudi-Arabia/Saudi-Arabia-Guide/Visas-Permits/Visas+Saudi+Arabia+you+must+turn+in+your+iqama+to+your+employer+before+leaving&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com

Regards,
John

[Middle East Beast]

Yeah, I know, John.

I did surrender my residence permit. I think the confusion on this thread is to whom to surrender it.

The bottom line is that you just do what the employer says to do...give it to them, or, otherwise.

MEB

[bulgogiboy]

I just left KSA a couple of weeks ago. My iqama was given to my employer, but I had to sign a 'no due' form first. No passport was allowed to be handed over until the iqama was handed in first. I work for a Saudi gov agency, so I assume they go by the book (although you never know in Saudi). If you have an exit visa in your passport the officials at the airport shouldn't question your right to leave, as if there were anything stopping you the employer wouldn't have given permission for you to get your exit visa in the first place. If you have your exit visa in your passport then just get your stamp at the immigration desk, get on that plane, and, if you arent on a Saudia flight, get a nip of whisky and a cold beer as soon as possible after take off...

[warrda.w]

I'm a little confused. Are passports confiscated in Saudi? I'm headed there for a job now.. And was under the imperssion that we keep our passports. I've got to admit, it will be most uncomfortable if that is the case. Can someone please clearify. Thanks.

[sheikh radlinrol]

[veiledsentiments]

This is why you should be very very careful about your choice of employer in KSA. As Scot47 always says... choose your master wisely.

VS