Job Discussion Forums

[Win Some Lose Some]

Considering how long it takes to get an iqama, I'm guessing that most people start out on a business visa (illegal, I know) and get an iqama as soon as they can once they are there. I realize (I think) that that requires flying to some other country (home country?) to achieve.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe most people have an iqama (3 to 12 months to get one) before they go.

Could you kind, knowledgeable folks with current knowledge of how it is usually done in KSA please set me straight on this issue?

Thank you.

[desertdawg]

If you have a "work visa", then you enter the country with that stamped into your passport. Once in Saudi you then apply for residence or the iqama. This is done by your sponsor. They have to take away your passport for the process. After a few days/weeks you will get a nice credit card thing. Not sure of the exact process now but still think you have to have some medical tests (despite having had more comprehensive ones before coming).

Depending on your employer you may get your passport back. More usually they hang onto it. If you need it, then you swap it for your iqama. If you run away in possession of both then it has serious financial consequences for your employer. They also lose a "slot". They are able to hire one less foreigner.

If you have a "business visa" then you hold on to your passport because you are not a resident of KSA, just visiting, consulting etc. I left (final exit) early 2011 on a business visa. At that time I had to leave the country at least once a month to comply with the business visa restrictions.

My company wanted to get me a residence/work visa. I was told I would have to go back to my home country to do it. Easier/cheaper. I don't know.

Idon't know anyone that was able to "convert" a business to a work visa without returning to their home country where their passport is from. But that doesn't mean it isn't possible. My company suggested I use my holidays and my flight allowance to return home when I wanted to explore more exotic climbs. They were happy to wait for a more convenient time. However I got another job.

Working on a business visa is not ideal, but it may be a means to an end. Hope that is not too long winded and clears things up a bit. Good luck!

[Win Some Lose Some]

No, it's not too long-winded. I prefer thoroughness to brevity regarding such crucial matters.

On a related question, if you come on a business visa and consequently can't open a local bank account, my question is about transferring your pay to your account in your home country. I'm from the Pacific Northwest.

Do they pay in cash or check? If by check, how do you cash it to pay at the service that wires it to your home bank, if you don't have a local bank account, etc? Thanks.

[desertdawg]

I was paid into a foreign account as my employers weren't Saudi when I was working in Saudi on a business visa.

I was paid cash in Kuwait where I was working on a tourist visa. I with a big stack of $100 bills (I knew I was only staying three months). That's one option.

The remittance centres which are plentiful in the cities will turn a blind eye and send your money for you to your American (?) account. You will probably be paid in cash. But I have no experience of this. However I know people who have had this and sending money is the least of your worries. Worst comes to the worst a trusted iqama holding "friend" can sort you out.

Basically it's suck it and see. There aint no certaintees except death and taxes and at least the good old KS of A is tax free! As many other people have pointed out you are very much at the mercy of your employer. However with a business visa you do have the option of walking away. But you may have put yourself through a lot of stress and incurred a lot of expenses. All the best.

[Win Some Lose Some]

[Win Some Lose Some]