Job Discussion Forums

guty · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 365 Location: on holiday

Does anybody here live in Bahrain and work in KSA?
My job in Saudi is physically close enough to do it, but what is the practicality? Visa hassle, queues, costs etc.
I would prefer my wife to live outside Saudi if possible, but that may be because I have never been there. Can a Saudi employer sponser a Bahrain visa though? I was told at interview all this was possible, however my experience with these agents since leads me to believe Ill get more sense off this board than from them.
Thanks

Nomad Dan · Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Myanmar

Hello. Yes, It is possible to be arranged and I knew people who did it, they had really good jobs as executives and engineers etc. I doubt that as an English teacher you would ever be allowed that luxury...I could be wrong. So to answer your question, yes it is fairly common for Aramco big whigs to commute from Bahrain to their Saudi job....but I have never heard of teachers doing it.
Nomad Dan

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Most of the guys i work with live in Bahrain and commute everyday to Aramco.
If you have a multi exit re entry visa then you can do likewise.
There are costs involved.
You can get a booklet for the causeway which is a little cheaper and of course you will have to buy a car as most contractors will not let you drive over to Bahrain in their car.
Accommodation is a little expensive but no more so than Saudi.
A good two bedroom apartment is about 5000-6000 riyals a month.
There are no problems getting over in the morning but sometimes it is a little slow in the afternoon.
If your salary is large enough living in Bahrain is an option.
I only get 17000 riyals a month so it is a little too rich for me.

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

Sr17'000 a month? Not bad at all. That's can't be through teaching can it?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Some employers insist on employees living in the accommodation provided. This is the case for example at KFUPM, where it is a contractual obligation to live on campus.

If that requirement were lifted and if a housing allowance were paid I am sure many would commute.

"ONLY 17,000 SR a month" ONLY !

guty · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 365 Location: on holiday

mark100,
you hint at Bahrain being far more costly than Saudi, is that simply because there are more opportunities to spend, or the cost of accommodation? I will also be on 17,000, but have to pay for my own place, feasible?
Any info on how to get a Bahrain visa whilst working in Saudi?

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

Hold on a minute......am I missing something? 2 people on Sr17'000 Shocked

In all my years I've yet to find the company that's paying that kind of salary for English teachers....come on...give us a clue... Confused

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

Hold on a minute......am I missing something? 2 people on Sr17'000 Shocked

In all my years I've yet to find the company that's paying that kind of salary for English teachers....come on...give us a clue... Confused

johnslat · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 8:31 pm Post subject: Some catches

Dear Jim,
Well it sounds like one of those deals where you have to pay for your own housing, sometimes even your own air fare, out of your salary.

" I will also be on 17,000, but have to pay for my own place, "

Still, even so - 17,000 SR a month (204,000 SR a year) is pretty darn good.
Regards,
John

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Bahrain is definitely more expensive.
You can however do your food shopping in Saudi before you go home.
There are of course the other temptations, wine, women and song.
They could really blow a hole in your budget.
Of course there is the time on the road and cost of maintaining a vehicle and petrol etc.
My base salary is 17000 a month plus housing etc.
I am not teaching English thesedays but am training a business software package.
Believe it or not i am one of the lowest paid.
Many are earning double or more my salary!!!!!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

As my American friend has said, there are deals in Saudi where you get a monthly salary but you are then responsible for housing, tickets and medical insurance. That is the case with many of the contractors who provide teachers for Aramco.

As for residence in Bahrain I think that is automatic if you have Saudi residence ("igama") and multiple exit/re-entry visa.

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

I cannot remember the exact amount i get for housing but it is not a lot.
As i said my base is 17000 but i have my own housing car and pay my own tickets etc and i end up getting about 24000 riyals a month but it depends how many days in the month as to exactly how much i get plus the pound exchange rate as i am on the UK payroll.
The job is not too stressful and certainly easier than the English teaching i did in Saudi as i have no discipline problems with the people i am training and i probably only train about 10 hours a week and spend the rest of the time preparing materials and going to workshops.
It won't last forever thou and maybe i will be forced to return to English teaching one day.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

What business software package? You're still getting a load - the programmers who wriote it wouldn't have been getting much more in the UK.

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

What can I say...Ma sha Allah!