Job Discussion Forums

[neverthetwain]

Hello

I have been offered a job with Quality Education Holding Co for 8500 basic salary plus 2750 housing plus 600 transportation, total 11850SAR.

It says that it is close to Bahrain allowing unlimited multiple entry visa.
What kind of visa is this then, because he told me during the interview that it's an Iqama and they reimburse the cost of the visa.

Do you have to keep going to Bahrain then if you have an Iqama visa? I am a bit confused. Or do they just mean that you are free to travel to Bahrain as much as you like?

They say that you have a bus to transport you to work and the supermarkets/malls so why does it say 600 transport allowance? Does that mean that I get 11850 SAR in my pocket each month then or 8500SAR?
I think I will have to send him an email to ask about this contract. He seems a decent guy though.

[neverthetwain]

I forgot to say he said during the interview that it's 9000Sar salary but thye contract says basic salary 8500sar

[paul.conlong]

best to ask him if you will be given the allowance or will accom/ transport be provided.

Others may be able to shed more light on this but my understanding is that, if it's a work visa you wouldn't need to get out of the country, once your in KSA your employer should then start the application for your Iqama (norma;;y within a 90 day time frame).

[Leno]

a friend said that the employers usually applies for iqama on line after 90 day probation period, and iqama will be issued in a week, but some times, the employer might extend the probation period for 90 more days which is allowed by labor law, , that means, in that case, iqama will not be applied for or issued until the probation is over.

[I-forgot]

With regards to the iqama/visa, there are two options. First, it could be a business visa which requires regular visa runs. The alternative is an iqama which then requires an exit/reentry visa every time you go out of the country. QEHC may grant you single visas which you need to apply for every time you want to cross the border or a multiple visa which would allow you to come and go pretty much as you please.

Sounds like they are offering you an iqama with multiple exit visa but you should clarify this with them.

2750 housing and 600 transportation sounds about average. This will only be given to you if you elect and they allow you to live in your own accommodation/not in company housing. If you choose to live in company housing (or if they require you to do so) you will not be given these allowances.

The discrepancy in the salary amounts is a red flag. The contract is what counts and should be aware that some companies bait and switch. They say a higher number before you arrive and then make you sign a contract for less when you arrive in KSA. The contract you sign in KSA is the one that matters. The other is meaningless.

Most, if not all, companies now expect you to pay for your visa processing in the UK/US/Aus/SA etc. They then reimburse you when you arrive in KSA. This has become standard practice. The reimbursement will be in your first oay check or after your probation period has ended (depends on the company).

The company should start applying for the iqama before the end of the probabtion period. They will be fined if they leave it longer than three months.

[nomad soul]

[currentaffairs]

This is a terrible offer to be quite frank. Apply to some of the main contractors like EdEx and I am pretty sure that if you have a degree and one year of teaching experience anywhere they will give you 11,000 SAR plus housing (they usually put you up in company accommodation rather than give you an allowance.)

If the company offer a bus to work then you won't get a transport allowance.

Ask them directly if they are offering an iqama. It sounds to me like they are offering a business visa and want you to hop over to Bahrain to renew your visa every few months.

[Leno]

[quote="I-forgot"]
They say a higher number before you arrive and then make you sign a contract for less when you arrive in KSA. The contract you sign in KSA is the one that matters. The other is meaningless.


usually, the private contrcator would send the original copy of the contract signed by the CEO of the company, and stamped by the Saudi chambers of commerce, prior to visa application at the nearest saudi embassy. (for employment visa) ( for business or visit visa application, a contrcat stamped by SCC is not needed).
It would be wise to keep a scanned colorful copy of that original, or you can give the notorised copy to the embassy and keep the original.
If the employer asked you to sign a new contract after entry to KSA, the one used for visa application is definitely more official than the new one.

But, law and rules may have changed.

[I-forgot]

[quote="Leno"]

[neverthetwain]

I sent the company an email yesterday but so far no response. They seem to take a while to answer but I think they will answer after the weekend. I asked them if it's going to be 9000 like they said in the interview. Actually, I really want 12000. Anyone know why this company only offer 9000 or 8500? They must get teachers to go otherwise they'd be offering a higher salary. I'm thinking of turning the offer down as it's a bit too low for me. Will see.

[nomad soul]

[I-forgot]

[I-forgot]

Forgot to mention - this is a new contract for QEHC and they are having problens recruiting/retaining staff at that salary.

[jdhanif]

Guys I've worked for them for a year and this is my experience so far.

-low salaries in comparison to other companies
-pay is never on time
-it is extremely hard getting the housing allowance from them. They simply won't allow you to move out
- they are having difficulties with iqamas
- they offered no help when I wanted to bring my family over
-their medical insurance is an absolute joke. They give med gulf class B which you can only use in a small number of places.

They offered me a place in dammam which is a new contract they have won which I refused as the salary was 8500. I have friends working for edex who had the contract previously and they were on 12000 basic with housing and trabsport taking the package up to 15350. Also they are retaining some of the edex teachers who will be on the exact same salary as they were with edex. Im leaving them this year because they look like they are going down.

[currentaffairs]

I have to agree, most of the contractors even now will offer around 11,500-12,000 SAR minimum plus housing for someone with a degree and one or two years of experience.