Job Discussion Forums

[fridgemagnet]

[nomad soul]

SheikMilkShake:

It certainly would be useful to know the link to the "official" source of that info. That explanation doesn't fit every employment scenario in KSA.

[Amerrycan Muslim]

[veiledsentiments]

[SheikMilkShake]

someone just sent me info that all arriving expat workers ( ALL) will be fingerprint scanned at the airport and it is a law since last year.
Is it true?
Can someone who recently entered the Kingdom verify it?

In that case, ( if you are finger print scanned)
This fingerprint scan will link to your iqama, you current passport, your phone number (s) and SIMs ( don't ever by a SIM for anyone under your iqama), automatically your FB, twitter, emails, any Social net work sites, if you use VPN or proxy to log into porno sites, your website registration at MOI and MOL, your car registration and fine payment, you hajj/Pilgrimage to Mecca application, and even to your rental contract, etc.

Whether you ( are allowed to) take your iqama together with your passport for vacation or weekend trips outside Saudi Arabia, your data will be on their websites for 5 years or maybe more.

In UAE, they do Iris scan on arrival, but not sure it is for certain nationalities or all foreigners who enter by land or by air.
This iris scan data will focus and find you even if you are in a crowd in outdoor areas.
Cameras are everywhere at the malls, buildings/ compound entrances, etc

The power of money, I guess...

[nomad soul]

[fridgemagnet]

[sicklyman]

I used to leave the iqama at home if going OOK. I was told that it's illegal to leave with it and, at the Causeway, have actually been asked if I had it on me.

I no longer do this because my employer has my iqama hostage for my passport. I have a certified iqama copy from them in my wallet. I never need my iqama and would rather keep my passport as I can do a hell of a lot more with my passport than I can with my iqama.

[SheikMilkShake]

since this happened, I heard contradicting stories/law from both sides ( Saudi and American).
To keep or not to keep both IDs with the holder?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOWbc5Ij_BU

hey sicklyman,
are you saying that you keep your passport and iqama with you in your possession but when you leave, your iqama is deposited in exchange for entry/exit visa?

I really do not know the current policy now but it DEPENDS on your employer/sponsor, they MAY go extra length to give you a hard rime. Imagine how those workers from labor exporting countries have to live and work there.. some said that they are only given a copy of their iqama with a stamp and a letter from their sponsor. ( both passport and iqama with the sponsor), where is the law?

according to the reliable friend, talks are in progress with the Chinese, and they are weighing their options on religious reasons/values (non-Muslims only or also Muslims, foreigners or locals also, Non-Arabs or Arabs also).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbe2WHnbPxs

They would collect this sample and data together of your finger print scan data. ( read: Male only)
Why? because many American women are hunting down the Saudi fathers of their babies.
And how does it concern us? How many of us would do what they did?
The point is any female ( any nationality) could be impregnated and they need to find the fathers for those mothers.
We wouldn't want to be accused any more, they said.


On Arrival at Jeddah Airport
Immigration officer: passport, please.
Foreign male: here you are.
I O: OK, go to booth number 1, when you are done, go to counter 2 to collect your passport
Instructions on the wall of the booth (1) reads:
how to manual...


What if you refused?
You would be subject to questioning for refusing to provide relevant information, and resisting etc.etc..

[fridgemagnet]

Actually, I know a few American women whose fingerprints and irises were scanned upon arrival in Riyadh. Two of them are Muslim.

[baa_baa]

Is there Sth wrong with that? Mine was taken. They do it in the UAE as well.

[nomad soul]

Fingerprinting a must for all expat women
Saudi Gazette | April 08, 2014
Source: http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140409201387

RIYADH –The General Directorate of Passports has made fingerprinting mandatory for the issuance of new residence permit (iqama) and final exit for all expatriate women. Earlier, biometric data was mandatory for expatriate women only for obtaining a work permit, and it was optional for all other women.

Maj. Gen. Suleiman Al-Yahya, director general of passports, said that fingerprinting system for all passport services will be introduced for expatriate women in phases, and in the first phase this will be applicable to issuance of new iqama and a final exit. Al-Yahya said that the fingerprinting system was there for expatriate women for the issuance of new iqama and a final exit since long time but it was only optional. The directorate has made it a condition for issuance of new iqama and final exit effective from March 23, this year.

Earlier, on March 31, 2012, fingerprinting was made mandatory for expatriate women for obtaining a work permit. Non-working women dependents were exempted from submitting their fingerprints when applying for a new residence permit, amending their current status or requesting a replacement iqama.

Fingerprinting is compulsory for all expatriate male and female workers in the Kingdom. This is also a condition for other services such as a transfer of sponsorship, and iqama, in addition to driving license for men.

A biometrics system includes, but is not limited to, fingerprints, face recognition, retina or iris recognition, palm prints and DNA.

(End of article)

[scot47]

Sheikshake - these things vary with employers. Your experiences are probably quite different from those of teachers working for other Masters !

[SheikMilkShake]

Hey scot47,

you have been so quiet, usually we always hear something from you.. How are you doing? Hope you are fine.


Theses are not my experience.
I was never fingerprinted, way in -way out or vacation, we stayed at the same building, all male and female teachers, in pairs ( F/M only or married cpls) or on one's own. we got paid on time and nothing serious to complain much.
I doubt any frm our batch went back to teach there again since last time.

This biometrics thingy is new to me, or perhaps, they have started since years back or not sure.

I just compiled all these bits and pieces of info, from newspapers, ministry websites, etc. and hearsay also. Which laws your employers will make it mandatory for you, only someone from above can answer.

I cannot speak for all universities or all contractors, nor what the latest news/laws are.

[Amerrycan Muslim]