Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

[jmarkowsky]

I think you're right about the difference between reference and experience letters. I think I've taken care of that, at least for the one teaching job I've had in Canada. Everything else was abroad and I'll be damned if I can track down experience letters from them.

cmp, did you send your original documents to the Saudi embassy? If they don't return phone calls, who's to say they'll return documents? Or my passport!?

Below is the root of my confusion. It's one of the items taken from the Saudi embassy's website of requirements for a work visa:

Canadian Degree / Diploma , transcripts and letter(s) of experience from previous employers certified by The Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada: Tel. (613) 995-0119 (two copies certified by the issuing institution and by a notary as well as authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada. Written authorization from the applicant allowing the consulate to verify the information with the institutions. Foreign Degrees must be certified by the Saudi Embassy in the country of issue.

I guess I'm having trouble understanding it. (This is word for word). It's that bolded part that gets me. What exactly needs to be notarized and what exactly needs to be certified? To cover my butt, I think I'm just going to send them two copies of everything (one being the original), all notarized and all certified from the foreign affairs office. And hope that's all they need. Any suggestions?

Thank you all for your input and help.

[cmp45]

VS: I stand corrected you are right regarding the letters of experience and reference letters.

As for sending the original copies of your degrees and letters etc., to the embassy, it's my belief that it isn't necessary. What the embassy needs are the the various copies notarized by Foreign Affairs.

I wouldn't send your originals to the Embassy. It's foreign affairs that need to verify your degrees. Send the originals to foreign affairs; the originals plus the photocopies of the originals and they will sign them and press an embossed stamp on the photocopies declaring them legit. Then you send only the notarized copies to the Embassy. I repeat it is not necessary to send originals to the embassy.

As far as trusting the Saudi Embassy...well they need to have your passport to put the visa in it and they will give you back all the notarized documents you have sent them once you have completed the process and if you choose to quit the process then they will send everything back to you.

The biggest problem might be the courier loosing them enroute to the embassy or the originals to the Foreign Affairs! So make sure your documents are sent by reputable company and can be tracked.

[also in saudi]

Have your prospective employer recommend a visa agent in Ottawa who can handle the details. It would save a lot of aggravation.

[cmp45]

[bourgoinpierre]

[quote]Everything else was abroad and I'll be damned if I can track down experience letters from them.

[bourgoinpierre]

I�ve never used the quote button before, oups.

[jmarkowsky]

Hey, thank you all so much for your help and advice! Were it not for this forum, I'd be completely in the dark. I've decided to hire a visa broker, as Also is Saudi suggested, and it's going to make my life 10 times easier. So I just wanted to put it out there for new applicants coming on a work visa, or you kind souls offering advice to us newbies - HIRE A VISA BROKER. Especially if you're from Canada because the embassy absolutely will not return your calls or emails. It'll cost you $200-300 CND but it's worth it, and hopefully the school will cover the costs.

As for the letters of experience VS was right. A letter of experience is essentially a detailed breakdown of your job duties. It starts with a brief desc. of the school/company, states when you were hired/left, states your official position, then details your job duties. It ends with whose supervision you were under. NOT the same as a reference letter, though a reference letter, if long enough, can also be a letter of experience.

Thanks again.

[scot47]

The letters of experience that I have are much more basic. A statement in English on headed paper - "XYZ worked here as a teacher from .... to......, signed AB". School stamp and a signature with a flourish.

[imps]

I am a Canadian citizen currently on a business visa in saudi. My to be employer is sending me to canada to have my work visa processed there. They will give me the documents that are required to start the process in canada.

I will appreciate if someone could give me a brief on the steps I need to follow there. Anything that can help expedite the process. Especially, wht is the process for degree/employment certificate verification and what can I do to expedite it. I dont mind travelling to any part of canada just to expedite the process?

Also, how do I go about medical. Can I start it the same day I reach to canada? Can I get the results back within a week (is there any urgent service)?

I will be greatful for any help.

[cmp45]

The process is alot like playing snakes and ladders!

Best to stay in Ottawa as the Saudi embassy is located there.

You should check with Foreign Affairs in Ottawa about setting up an appointment and what the cost is to get your degrees authenticated. Best to ask them exactly what is required to make sure.

From what I remember You should have at least 2 photo copies of each original degree you want authenticated. As you will have to submit the photocopies to the embassy.

As for the medical it will depend on who the doctor is; the time it takes for results are dependant upon the tests- usually takes 7- 10 days.
I used a doctor at the Medical Clinc at the University of Ottawa as they also have a labrataory where they can take blood and x-rays on site. Not so much running around. It's best to check with costs as probably not the same when I did it back in 2003!
One important note about the medical you will also have to get the Doctor approved by the Physicians of Canada which is based in Toronto.

I only discovered they were in Toronto after tramping all over Ottawa to find where I could get the doctor & medical authenticated. So you will have to send the medical report to Toronto. Find a reliable courier for this.
UPS managed to loose mine so take care.

It's really quite alot of hoops...no one helped me and managed to get it all done albiet the long hard way!

I will try to send you a pm with some of the addresses and numbers in Canada that I have, but not until tomorrow as they are in my office at work.

Good luck you will need it LOL!

[imps]

"The process is alot like playing snakes and ladders!".......
You have summed it up.... This is the feeling I have since I started trying to get the info. I am currently in Bahrain and the company which is hiring me wants me to get the visa processed in 2 weeks time. They have offered to pay for an agent and for any thing that helps expedite the process.

No matter how I plan, nothing is guaranteed. I think I should try to get in touch with foreign affairs as well as this is another time consuming activity.

Thanks a million for a detailed reply cmp45. And I will wait for the addresses and number....anything that helps. Thanks again.

[cmp45]

Imps,
Check your message box, as I just sent you the information I had.

Hope it helps.

Some of it may be dated, so best check with the Saudi Embassy to ensure that you follow exactly what they require or...

it's down the snake you go!
Good luck!

[imps]

Thanks again CMP45,

Got the info. Just called and spoke with dept. of foreign affairs in Ottawa. Their info is still valid. Even the timing is the same.....

I hope other information is valid as well.

Best Regards,

[windstar]

Do you know if you pay for the medicals/tests or is it covered by provincial health cards such as OHIP?