Job Discussion Forums

[only1life]

I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with TQ. Apparently they hire using a business visa first and then later organize for the employee to apply for the work visa in their home country. But I have read where the Saudis are planning to crack down on the business visa route come November 3. I wonder if those already on a business visa prior to November 3 will be okay? Also, it seems that companies commonly tell recruits very little about applying for visas through agents, leaving them to find out what to do by themselves. Hence it ends up taking more time to get visas than it should. Has anyone been through this process with TQ or know anything about them? They seem to be quite a together organization... but after all... we are talking about Saudi here, so any insights would be appreciated.

[Colonel Teacake]

Scum

[bertonneau]

SPSP just does this. I and 25 other teachers just came over with SESP on business visas. Saudi Electric Corporation and all did this. It's standard practice and with any government based company you will have no problems. SPSP as well as SESP are both government training schools you should have no problems. My buddy works at SPSP through TQ and enjoys it for Saudi.

[plumpy nut]

[slaqdog]

Can take a long time=over a year.....

[scot47]

If they cannot get a legit visa, avoid them. This is like saying to a Mexican "I can get you a job in New York. Just come on a tourist visa and we will work it all out".

[honorarycheesehead]

only1life,

I have accepted a position with TQ and am in the same boat you would be if you have accepted an offer from them as well.

The TQ subsidiary operating in Saudi Arabia is part of the Pearson corporation. Your proximate employer, therefore, while Saudi, is beholden to the management of a British corporation. For that reason, I would not expect shenanigans regarding visas, salaries, or other important matters from such a mature, responsible multinational company as Pearson. They have a reputation to protect. If they say they can get the Iqama within three months of your arrival, then get it you shall. If the company were strictly Saudi, I would be much more wary.

I suspect that they mobilize us on business visas precisely because getting the residency permit take so long. But the residency permit process with TQ would be conducted while you are already in KSA on the business visa. Even the expatriate guidebook posted in the sticky at the top of this forum makes mention of this process. If I understand you correctly, you are under the impression that you would be in your home country while TQ gets the Iqama. That's not true.

TQ also has you work through a visa agent (at least if you're in the USA) to get the visa. Everything seems to be going smoothly. The only delay with my visa was the fault of the Saudi Foreign Ministry, not TQ (according to TQ).

[currentaffairs]

I thought TQ was a decent choice but I know of several guys who were not happy with them. They are apparently getting people over to KSA without the proper documentation. They tell teachers to go back to the UK/US to get the iqama!

To be clear - you need to get the iqama process going while you are in your home country. You have to do the medical and it has to be in your home country. You have a second medical in KSA, anyway.

Maybe they are getting up to speed now but in the last few months they have been pretty poor.

[sicklyman]

[nomad soul]

[currentaffairs]

[veiledsentiments]

[sicklyman]

sorry... slip of the keyboard... yes I meant employment visa. In any case, the iqama process does not start until you get in the country.

[Sheikit]

can anyone comment on exactly what the second medical exam involves? the one which takes place inside saudi. also, is it a hassle to get Rx meds into the country?

thank you

[nomad soul]