Job Discussion Forums

[Mysterious]

Hey,

How soon after getting an employment visa will it take to get an iqama? Does anyone know if it's a task that can be done in a day, or a week or donkeys years (in saudi terms)?

And from there how long roughly does it take to get your family out on the iqama?

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

Mysterious

[ellethom]

Mysterious,

This is a tough answer to give, as many companies out in the Magic Kingdom have their own timelines about giving out an iqama.

Some places require you to have a probationary period first, and that is different for each company. I could not tell you what the answer is for you particular situation as it may be different from another company's expectations.

In truth, when they say that they will give you one, its only after you have worked with them for a while. i know people who got one after a short time, and then i have known people who have worked there and never gotten one.

Its sort of a loaded question here, as many posters will bring up the dangers of working in KSA again as well, take the knowledge you need and leave the rest.

Wish i could be more help, maybe someone else has the right answer for you.

[desertdawg]

IF, Lots of ifs.

I have arrived in KSA with an employment visa on several occassions, sponsored by different companies. The iquama was applied for immediately and took anywhere from a few days to two or three weeks.

It is not a complicated or difficult process in the above situation. The delay is caused by the willingness of the the person actually tasked with the job to go down to the office and do it. I once challenged the person whose job it was for one sponsor I had. His reply was that he would wait for a batch of passports and do them together.

Also as the previous poster has said the employer may have reasons for delay, such as "probation". However if you have an employment visa which seems increasingly rare these days, then you are ahead with your employer and MAY even have a decent one.

As for bringing your family. I don't know. But again it's not a complicated process. My information is over a year old. But when I was there everything seemed to get done pretty much there and then, as long as you went to the appropriate office and stood in the queues. I know now there are delays with visas, but perhaps when sponsoring family members, once all the paperwork is done, then the visas are issued within weeks.

[Mysterious]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your replies
Muchly appreciated!

I think I didn't explain myself properly though. My bad.

The company have got the employment visas for the teachers, and now the teachers have been told to go to Bahrain in batches to get the employment visa (it's taken months to get it, but at least they are here now and the company stuck to their word...). So it's from that employment visa to getting the actual iqama (and then getting your family out) is what I need specific information about, and its timeframe.

I was just wondering if getting the employment visa and having it changed over to an iqama (if that's how it even works) can be done within a couple of days? I know that if people want to go to Saudi for the pilgrimages then they tend to get their visas within 2 or 3 weeks.. but was wondering if it would be the same for a family to get their visa on someone's iqama.

I hope I've made sense... I tend to waffle! Sorry.

[BretHarte]

I have friends that were here over a year before they got their iqama.

Getting your wife and kids can be a pain as well. The certificate has to have an approved Arabic translation and it helps/hinders depending on what country both parties are from and where they were married. You said you were Muslim in a different thread, so that will help.

[Mysterious]

Thanks for your reply

Yep, I am a Muslim and I did hear about the translation thing.. it's a shame that part even needs to be done. English should be good enough you'd think! lol

[BretHarte]

Being married is hardly good enough. It helps if you are both from the same country and that it's an approved country. Saudi can keep out the wife and kids for months if it's not.

[Mysterious]

I should have made it clear that I'm the wife, heh.
Okay, in that sense then I hope we're in a good place 'cause both of us are from the same country (and approved).

Here's hoping things happen fast now... I can dream!

[nomad soul]

From the Guidebook for expatriates recruited for work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia :
(This one is right under your nose at: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=83781)

Part three - Residence permit (Iqama) & work license and recruitment costs:
1. An employer shall issue residence permit (Iqama) & work license for the worker he recruits within 90 days from the date of the worker's arrival at the Kingdom. In case an employer fails to issue residence permit (Iqama) & work license, he shall be responsible for any fines resulting from that. In this case a worker's service shall be deemed in breach of the Law and the decisions regulating the employment of Non-Saudis. Workers shall, in such a case, notify the competent labour office of that to take the necessary procedure against the employer.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And as Desertdawg posted, it could take from a few days up to several weeks from the date your paperwork and passport were submitted by your employer for processing.

[BretHarte]

Have you taught here before nomad soul? What the laws say and what actually happens are two unrelated things. Sometimes they might bump in the dark, but they're nothing to rely on.

[Mysterious]

Ah, thanks ns! Duh.. can't believe I missed that!

[nomad soul]

[BretHarte]

Mysterious is Muslim, so she might be lucky. I just want her to know that it could still very well take months.

[Mysterious]

It's good to hear the minimum and maximum times that it can take, anyway so I appreciate the replies. Makes me less hopeful now, lol. But at least a bit more realistic.. I'll try not to get my hopes too high!