Job Discussion Forums

[londone7]

I've been reading comments that some schools hire on 'Business Visas' and just trying to clarify what the difference is?

From my understanding the Iqama is the correct one but is quite difficult to get which is why some schools will hire on a Business Visa (BV).

For Business Visas my understanding is
- only valid for 90 days so must leave and re-enter each time (dont the authorities know this and can refuse you at some point)
- only Iqama holders can open bank accounts (so how are BV holders paid?)
- only Iqama holders can rent an apartment
- BV holders can just leave anytime and dont need an exit visa (the only good part)

For Iqama's some countries require a BA in English. Is this also true for BV as my BA is not English?

Anything else I need to know?
Thanks

[nomad soul]

It's not the 'schools' that bring teachers over on business visit visas---it's the companies that contract with the universities to recruit, sponsor, and manage the teachers' pay, benefits, housing situation, etc., that do so.

An iqama is a residence permit, not a visa. To legally work in the Kingdom, you'll need to obtain a proper employment visa to enter the country for employment purposes. The employment visa is valid for 90 days; during that time, your iqama should be processed. (Your employer's name will be stated on your iqama to indicate your employment status.) Once you have your iqama, you can open a bank account on your own. Additionally, as an iqama holder, you'll need an exit/reentry visa (via your employer) to leave and return.

[plumpy nut]

Coming November 3, the country is going to stamp down on expats working illegally. It's only 4 months away. You can't get the business visa and make any kind of money in just 4 months. So I think an Iqama Employment visa or Temporary Employment visa is honestly the only option available now.

[Deeman15]

yup, plumpy nut is right. Things have changed. Companies won't be able to get away with business visas as easily after the amnesty deadline passes. Visas of all sorts are getting harder to come by, and a lot of that internal wasta stuff will probably stop. Its not a good idea to go on a visa right now, you might put yourself in hot water.

[sicklyman]

or alternatively, they might extend the deadline 4 months.... again!

[plumpy nut]

They were warning earlier in the Arab News that the amnesty would not be extended any further than November 3. Stay away from KSA if you can't get a Temporary Employment Visa or Employment Visa leading to an Iqama.

[sicklyman]

[plumpy nut]

[sicklyman]

[rollingk]

The conclusive tone of some posters here astonishes me. As though in KSA systems run according to any real plan, and decisions and deadlines are made based on rationale, logic, or even the possibility of realistic outcome.

In this alternate KSA there would now be a couple of bullet trains near completion. And that interfaith dialogue concept would have done wonders for developing a more tolerant sensibility to difference.

Sure, the iqama is the official work permit for KSA, but the official line for most practical purposes may as well be some pie-in-the-sky dreamtime. And even this official requirement, the iqama, has been condemned for decades by human rights groups throughout the world for obvious reasons. Therefore, hinging an argument so steadfastly to that rotten post seems like just so much sycophancy. There is no certainty business visas will be disallowed, and having one may make the difference between immediate self determination and the opposite.

[randall020105]

Hey all... I know this thread almost died out looong ago, but i feel I need to revive it once more....

I've been issued a Tafweed(Visa number) and this was to process my visa... unfortunately the people back home handling my PCC and visa are taking ages to process things in a timeous fashion. That said, I am racing against time since my flight for KSA would be around 25 days from now.... The visa for the Iqama(Iq) would take around 40 days to complete!!!

You see my dilemma?!? So - I asked my employer to issue a bussines visa(bv) in stead... he said he'll cancell the tafweed and process the bv.

Here's my question: 'can I still go to the KSA and have that bv converted into an Iq... ?'

Thank you to anyone who can help me clarify this issue...

lastly... this bv - is it simply a PDF file which needs to be emailed to me which i can print out or does my passport still need to be sent to the Saudi Arabian Embassy for processing???

Thanks for looking in.

R.

[nomad soul]

What has your employer told you?

[plumpy nut]

[CANDLES]

You do the medical for Iqama in the country of your passport and then when you get to Saudi you do it all over again! The Ministry then issues it -takes a month or so depending on what else is going on in the Muslim world.
At present because of Ramadan, it's taking longer, so that is why they are issuing the 90 day visas.

Assuming the Iqama process is going through in your respective countries, you arrive in Saudi, wait for October to finish (because of the Haj) the teachers are not priority. You'll probably get the Iqama in November if all goes well!

[Deeman15]