Job Discussion Forums

revilo · Joined: 05 Oct 2013 Posts: 181 Location: Mos Eisley

I turned in my visa package to a visa agency in DC (last Aug. 23) and I sent my check for the processing. (about $450 Mad

)

They cashed the check last week and no word from them so far. Is this a case where no news is good news? Confused

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

Many people are on holiday right now because of Eid.. Normal services should resume next week..

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

It's your timing. They were likely closed for Eid al Adha (holiday), which I believe was Aug. 26 - Sept. 6.

revilo · Joined: 05 Oct 2013 Posts: 181 Location: Mos Eisley

So even if my visa gets approved this month, there will be another holiday in mid Sept. (National Day)?

That means I look at 4 walls of my apt. while my iqama is processed. The next holiday in KSA will be in Jan. or Dec.?

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

Academic calendar hasn't been set yet because of late start.. There will be a break around mid January. You will probably get clearance to head out in a few weeks..

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I never went on a procession for mine. Ever.

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

things have changed since you left. Now, it's so rare to get a visa they have a procession for you. Makes it all worthwhile Laughing

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I left a long time ago but the scars never heal.

revilo · Joined: 05 Oct 2013 Posts: 181 Location: Mos Eisley

Speaking of scars that heal, I had knee surgery and IPA makes their direct hires go to gov't hospitals for surgery. That means waiting to see a doctor and navigating thru the Saudi medical system.
I bypassed that mess by going to a private doctor, which is expensive but cuts down the waiting time. Then IPA told me to provide original docs for my medical records.
To add insult to injury (literally) IPA docked my pay for the number of days I missed from work.
For those who think that direct hire is the way to go, I have a number of stories that refute that. I pay medical out of my own pocket, I pay my iqama, and I pay for transportation to and from work. The housing allowance they give me is so low, it only pays for 1/2 year of rent (it's a measly 17,000 SAR / year.) The rest is outta pocket, so I must save for the last 6 months.

The surgery only cost about 1 month of pay, and I negotiated a free night of hospital stay (which would have been double the cost of surgery). If I let costs get out of hand, I won't have much for savings, which was the whole point of teaching in KSA.

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

revilo · Joined: 05 Oct 2013 Posts: 181 Location: Mos Eisley

I got tired of Qassim students nagging me for favors. I wanted a big city and IPA was hiring about a year ago. It was that or go to American University of Iraq and teach Kurds for 50K per year. However, if things went south, I'd be stuck close to the Iranian border and dependent on the mercy of Iranians.