Job Discussion Forums

[jerseypoet]

I have just received an offer from JUC, and it was mentioned I would receive all my papers in a weeks time. I saw on some of the posts here from a few years ago that the actual process takes months, if not years--if not ever. What I wanted to know is does anyone have any recent experience with how long the wait is from the time of sending in the contract (electronically) and receiving the visa? As I said, I saw some older posts, but I know sometimes, according to need, circumstances change. Any help on this is much appreciated.

[jerseypoet]

I guess I should have also asked how long the hard copies of the information would take to come. I interviewed months ago and had all but chalked it up, and then the offer came. So with them saying a week's time, I was wondering if that has happened for anyone here or anyone you've heard of?

[chromium]

[Gulezar]

"What I wanted to know is does anyone have any recent experience with how long the wait is from the time of sending in the contract (electronically) and receiving the visa? As I said, I saw some older posts, but I know sometimes, according to need, circumstances change. Any help on this is much appreciated."

At the risk of making a grammar mistake, I would say that it depends on your country of residence. Which Jersey do you hail from? The Saudi embassy in Washington, DC is not very helpful. I think there are agencies which will do the process for you for a fee; however, if you read all the fine print and think like a Saudi, you might be able to do it yourself. You need a police report stating that you have no police reports. You still might have to do an extensive medical check and get odd blood tests run. You will need signatures notarized from university officials who have long since retired; and eventually, you will get the visa. Perhaps Canada or the UK has more reasonable procedures.

[bedouinteacher]

I have been teaching at JUC and JIC for some time now (2 years+). New teachers who started recently have confirmed the following:

1. There are NO authorized (legitimate) taxis. Therefore, if you do not have your own transport you will use all of your transport allowance (900sar) and possibly more to commute to and from work.

2. The administration (obtaining; the medical for Iquama, Iquama, staff ID etc.)takes an inexcusable amount of time. This is because there are NO clear procedures in place at RC. The RC building looks like a Saudi train station. When you go inside you will see many Saudis keeping the desks "warm".

3. YOU must pay for your Iquama (500sar), but the RC will continue to hold YOUR passport (contrary to the requirements for membership (Saudi Arabia) of the World Trade Organization). YOU will also have to pay for any visas for yourself and family (if family status).

4. There continues to be a severe shortage of "family" status housing. Therefore, those eligible will be given 3xbasic salary as a housing "allowance". However, rental costs in popular areas (such as Jalmudah and Fanateer) are expensive, so you can expect to pay from your own salary to meet the shortfall (which, there will be unless renting a skip).

5. The most alarming news-and of great financial significance is that new teachers WILL NOT be entitled to receive the "inflation allowance"(despite this being clearly displayed as a "perk" in all Jubail job advertisements). This means teachers already in receipt of 15%of their monthly salary will continue to receive it, whereas, new teachers will NOT. To add insult to injury, Saudis will continue to receive 15% "built-in" to their salary.

These comments are merely intended to reflect what is really happening under the auspice of the Royal Commission in Jubail (and no doubt Yanbu too).
Basically, the intention is to lie to you in order to get you here. Nice eh?

[missbritish101]

Anyone have any info about the women's dept at JUC?

Anything at all would be greatly appreciated. Can't seem to find much about them anywhere online

[bedouinteacher]

The Royal Commission of Jubail (fancy title) has just advertised for 5 new teachers. Beware--the words used are attractive, but disturbing. This is because:
1. The starting salary is low.(unless you have many years experience and have a PhD would find a better job elsewhere in KSA, particularly if a westerner).

2. The accommodation is far from excellent (by western standards. For example; westerners are used to a 1 bedroom apartment at least, but RC will only allocate you with a studio). APPARENTLY THE HOUSING LIST FOR FAMILY STATUS APPLICANTS IS VERY LONG. A SERVING TEACHER HAS BEEN WAITING 6 MONTHS-HE HAS BEEN TOLD HE IS CURRENTLY 40+ON THE LIST!....also, if you accept the housing allowance(family status only), you "fall off" the list!!!!!!!!??????

3. The transport allowance is 900sar per month. However, the local (unlicensed) "taxis" will charge you 500sar per month+

4. I have heard that the overtime rate is extremely low (between 50-70sar) for KSA (don't know for sure, but my source is very reliable).

[ZEGAR911]

hello, can any one help me, how long it takes after interview to get an offer from Royal Commissionjavascript:emoticon(''),
Thanks,.,.

[sicklyman]

[MixtecaMike]

Mixtecamike is still working there (here) and the conditions are as good now as they were then (i.e. once you're in and sorted with the housing, etc). However, as there have been NO (zero) new hires for the past three years at the JIC ELC I would consider unlimited amounts of patience a vital pre-requisite for anyone applying.
And you're right, it is a most excellent institution, with some very good staff <looks in mirror>

[MixtecaMike]

For specific information on points raised above

[Easy_as_ABC!]

Hi,

I was looking at few job ads and I came across an old Jubail ad from tefl.com and then I visited the website for more information. Overall it seemed OK.

I currently work at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah and it's not a bad gig here.

I was wondering what anybody thinks I would get offered with the following credentials:

Ma in TESOL & Applied Linguistics.
CELTA
10 years experience in teaching ESL,EFL,EAP

5 of those years have been to PYP students at KAU, Jeddah.

Thanks in advance for all your help : )

[scot47]

You will not get more at other government institutions than you are getting now. If you try to leave and go for one of the military contracts, the obstacle of the LONO/NOC will rear its ugly head. ("Abolished as a legal requirement but still an administrative requirement")

Stay with King Abdulaziz U in Jeddah. Nice city. I miss many aspects of life there - not just the tax-free pay-cheque.

[nomad soul]

[Easy_as_ABC!]

Actually where I currently work they only pay 17,000 sar for the housing allowance, which means I have to put in almost the same to live in a decent place. Also, there's no educational allowance for kids so that's why I was looking really.