Job Discussion Forums

[waltgomez]

I have seen many Saudi jobs posting an age limit of 52-58. However, I have also seen many Western expat teachers/managers who look like they are way over 60 working happily. There are some that look 70+.

I am 55 now going on 56, and I would like to know how I could work into my 60ies here.

Anecdotes would be nice to hear as well as real advice.

I have done a word search on this topic, but have not found anything conclusive. Plus, I believe that rules change all the time.

I have also found info that as many as 500,000 expats over 60 work in Saudi.

So, what is the real deal with this?

[EFL Educator]

Years ago I met a guy from South Africa in Cape Town who was working in Saudi...he was around 76 years old....seemed that his age wasn't an issue then.....and YES he was an EFL teacher teaching military cadets.

[currentaffairs]

If you are already at a university then you could have your contract renewed. I know one guy who got a job at 59 and I worked with another who was in his 60s.

[hash]

Although there are laws on the books regarding age and employment, most of these are routinely circumvented.

A few years ago, the authorities attempted to apply the "60 and out" job requirement, only to find out that by doing so, KSA would lose at least 60% of its MDs - like - overnight. Ditto with airline pilots and other senior professionals. The "requirement" was quickly unrequired.

The way it stands now: if an employee reaches the age of 60 while working on contract, the employ-ER can keep him on indefinitely. That is to say, it's up to the employer to keep an elderly employee or not. So if you're working and the employer wants to keep you, it's not usually a problem.

The problem is in hiring NEW elderly employees. This is much more difficult to do. The employer has to show a "special circumstances" need to hire someone over the age of 60 or so. I've never seen anyone aged 60 and beyond coming in as a new English teacher - I've seen elderlies getting hired as consultants and senior executives and so on, but not lowly English teachers or similar level employees.

The only exception to this general scenario is if a teacher comes in to work on a visitor's visa. Since technically he isn't working for a KSA employer, he doesn't have to undergo medical tests or follow age restrictions.

As we all know by now, there are problems coming in (to work [illegally]) under a visitor's visa. But a lot of people are doing it now and I guess if you're over 60 (or 70) and you need a couple of more years of work savings, you won't be too particular of the risks and inconveniences working under a visitor's visa entails.

Remember - the shortest distance between 2 points is NOT, in KSA, a straight line.

[spiral78]

[johnslat]

Dear spiral,

Speak for yourself - I'm a curnudgeon. I'm a hoary, long-in-the tooth, superannuated, over-the-hill, on my last legs codger, and darn proud of it.

Only the strong survive - they even survive themselves.

I suspect my fellow grizzled ancient, scot 47, might agree.

Regards,
John

[scot47]

Hell, yes !

[spiral78]

I can't compete with you guys - I wouldn't even try!

[scot47]

We might confer the status of Apprentice Curmudgeon on Spiral

[spiral78]

Curmudgeon in Training? I'd be honored:-) I've already earned my Pedant badge

[nomad soul]

[melysnl]

EdEx had at least two people working for the PYP program at KSU who were in their 70's. They were married and literally retired from the program last year. I've met other teachers who could no longer get visas in the UAE, and then came over to Saudi to finish out their last years of teaching. I'm assuming at least a couple of them were in their 60's.

[scot47]

Get in before you are 56 or so and it should be okay. Unless you turn gaga. I mean until you are demented.