Job Discussion Forums

Sheikit · Joined: 30 Sep 2013 Posts: 34

1. Has anyone tried the Hola Better Internet extension for chrome? It is a free VPN and i want to know if it works. If not, can you recommend your favorite VPN?

2. How many of you actually had to show your chest x-ray upon your second medical exam in-kingdom?

Thanks

SirAristede · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:57 pm Post subject:

I've never heard about having to present the actual chest x-ray. I have two friends that worked in Saudi Arabia and neither are familiar with that. I'm finishing up visa processing for a position in Kuwait and the embassy here in the US only requires the report of the reading of the x-ray (the results).

SheikMilkShake · Joined: 02 Jul 2014 Posts: 84

1. I have no idea
2. Some friends told me that someone from HR/workplace would take them to a clinic for X-ray and blood tests for in-country med exam ( 2nd time after yr first one in home country) and they have wasta inside the clinic that would make " all good and clear" results for iqama application. As your first x-ray definitely showed good/clear results, and you have already got Saudi visa stamp in your passport, I guess the second result, just a formality, would not matter much. One thing is not to rely on that results and if you have any symptoms at any time, get it tested at a good hospital once you have obtained your iqama and med card. Usually, someone from HR would collect the result, or the clinic would post or send it to your employer. Some clinic would just send the results without testing, but I doubt it. When I worked in Thailand, school HR manager told me not to worry about the results and they just needed a paperwork ( all clear results) from the clinic to apply for work permit.

Sheikit · Joined: 30 Sep 2013 Posts: 34

i've already got the visa. did not actually have the xray done, as the Dr said it wasn't necessary with a clean TB test. wanted to know if i need to go get one done so as to have the results to hand to them, or if they wont ask, or if they will just do it over themselves for the iqama once i am there.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Report - not original X-ray.

Don't know about the other question.

Would it not be better to post the two questions separately, rather than ask two totally unrelated questions |?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

When was a wee lad, I bought over my chest x-ray. When I tried to give it to the doctor that saw me as part of my in-processing, he looked at me like I was a big dork. After that, I have never submitted any x-rays and I have never been asked to. It would be a complete waste of time and money to bring them over.

Sheikit · Joined: 30 Sep 2013 Posts: 34

thanks, icanupp. that is what i figured.

nomad-- the TB test WAS required; i had to send in copies of the labs. the dr refused to do the chest xray, saying it was pointless when you already have a clear PPD. since i got all of my tests and physical done for free, i wasn't about to argue.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

SirAristede · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 9:57 pm Post subject:

According to KSA's own official form, a chest x-ray is required and there is no mention of PPDs at all. Now there is an interesting bit at the bottom that states the following:

Sheikit · Joined: 30 Sep 2013 Posts: 34

i haven't dealt with the embassy or sacm at all -- that is what i paid a visa agent good money to do. for their part, they were excellent.

the agent insisted that the only lab results i absolutely HAD TO produce were the TB, HIV, HEP A-B-C, and VDLR. everything else could simply be signed off on. he then clarified that the VDLR could be replaced with the RPR for syphilis. [my doctor had insisted on this as well, since the VDLR is an antiquated, costly, and time-consuming test-- i suspect his reasons were similar for not exposing a healthy guy born in the 80s to unnecessary x-ray radiation].

i submitted the above tests along with the urine dip and general blood labs [which had been done in another country], and my visa was issued 3 days after the agent dropped everything off.

i will let you all know whether the physical x-ray results are requested once i'm there.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

Sheikit · Joined: 30 Sep 2013 Posts: 34

apparently StrongVPN limits the number of times you can change servers, and it can match your IP to you.

after a couple hours of research, i'm going to run with Private Internet Access as a VPN server. if anyone has experience with them, i'd love to hear it.

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

I've used PIA for over a year and it's excellent... esp customer service chat if you have a tech issue. So, I'd recommend paying for a year up front if you plan to be here that long as it's the best value. It's also highly rated by all the companies I talked to while researching buying a VPNable router to install PIA on rather than on a device by device basis. THis means you can then run things like chromecast all on the same network.

Oh... and PIA comes with a free app for android which makes connecting on your phone/tablet very easy. I've no info about installing on apple though.