Job Discussion Forums

[voyagerksa]

Avoid AEL in Abha. I was hired by AEL and flew back to the United States to get an employment visa. I spent thousands of dollars on a combination of medical tests, doctor fees, and the cost of being in the USA and paying room and board while waiting for the Saudi Embassy to issue a visa and eventually received the visa. After receiving the visa, I was told that I was no longer needed but they had another opening date in August a month after the validity date on my visa expires. The contract for the job was signed by both parties and their actions are just clearly fraudulent. In the West the company could be taken to court, but I think most people here know what Saudi laws are like, if you could call them laws.

Most likely they offered positions to a larger number of applicants than they had available positions in order to fill the positions as quickly as possible. Upon receiving my visa the positions were filled by other applicants who may have been offered positions before I was offered a position, or were able to receive their visas more quickly.

In order to work for this company at their "available" August date, I would have to spend money obtaining another visa. Everybody who is a Westerner knows the adage, "Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice shame on me". This quote also could apply to individuals now foolish enough to apply for AEL.

[nomad soul]

AEL is a private language school that apparently sprang up two years ago. There are no reviews about it on this forum nor on the Internet.

If you're still interested in working in KSA and your medical report is less than 90 days old, start applying to positions that begin immediately. Be sure to state that you've already completed your requirements toward an employment visa. Also, research the employer before accepting an offer.

Good luck.