Job Discussion Forums

Puddlesz · Joined: 14 Jul 2010 Posts: 16

UPDATE:

I finally received my final exit visa and it is marked muqeem. The person that works at the personnel department literally took 5 minutes to print it out. He made me sign it and then gave me a copy to hand over at the airport along with my iqama. They didn't stamp my passport or anything. So the only things I'm carrying with me to the airport are my passport, final exit visa, and iqama (and luggage of course!)

I still need an answer for my question about the bank account. Should I close it and demand a clearance letter from the bank or should I just not bother with it at all? Any insights are more than welcome.

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:38 pm Post subject:

Dear Puddlesz,

I'm still puzzled about that "taking the iqama to the airport" (and one's having both one's passport and one's iqama in one's possession at the same time.)

If that's how it's being done there now, it's certainly changed a lot. In all my nineteen years there, I never knew of anyone taking an iqama to the airport when they were departing.

Just to make sure we're talking about the same thing: iqama = a small booklet with a brown cover (if you're non-Muslim, white if you are) that contains your photo and some Arabic, and has about 6 to 8 pages,) right?

I'd tell you you don't need to close out that bank account with 0 in it, but that's how it was when I was there. Maybe that's changed, too.

Regards,
John

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

The iqama isn't a booklet anymore; it's a card that looks like a driver's license.

And yes, once again I'll testify that I had to take my iqama to the airport in 2009 when I left on my final exit visa.

MEB Cool

Puddlesz · Joined: 14 Jul 2010 Posts: 16

Yea the iqama looks just like a driver's license. When was the last time you were in Saudi, john?

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:08 pm Post subject:

Dear Puddlesz,

I left in 2003 - my God, something actually changed there Very Happy

.

Regards,
John

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Yes, and it's a change for the better. I hated having to carry around that booklet. The iqama fits easily in you wallet now. Very Happy

MEB

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:29 pm Post subject:

Dear MEB,

I should have added "for the better" - because, as we all know, it's changed a lot for the worse (for EFLers) in the last few years.

Regards,
John

yrsammit · Joined: 28 Aug 2010 Posts: 14

Bank accounts: A few colleagues of mine left without closing their bank accounts, and weren't held up (Samba bank)

At least one guy also left without closing his STC account OR paying off the balance on his bill. But they didn't stop him from leaving.

Puddlesz · Joined: 14 Jul 2010 Posts: 16

Unrelated:

Hey John, I read in another topic that you taught at the IPA. I taught there too Smile

To go back to the topic:

Snowsilver, did your son arrive home safe and without much difficulty?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

No needto close the bank account. Don't leave any money in it. It will be blocked automatically on the expiry date of your iqama.