Job Discussion Forums

nathan_lomax · Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Bahrain

Hi,

Does anyone know anything about BAe systems (apart from the corruption scandal)? I am interested in working there and commuting from Bahrain. I hear it's about an hour each way to Dhahran airbase.
I would like to know if anyone does this.

Cheers

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

An hour is on a good day when there is not much traffic. What happens when you are held up and don't make it to class on time ?

The Wing Commander and the Squadron Leader won't like it old bean !

mouse5 · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 142

Some of the upper echelons at BAe and other companies do commute from Bahrain. Family compounds are much more pleasant on over there. And there's a golf course! Trekking over the bridge means getting up at the crack of dawn. It can take well over an hour.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:39 am Post subject:

But would any company go to the hassle and expense of setting up such an arrangement for a mere EFL teacher?

guty · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 365 Location: on holiday

You would have to make all the arrangements yourself, and of course all the payment, rental in Bahrain etc.
I know some who did almost the same journey to work at KFUPM, they thought the expense and time worth it for the quality of life.
It is definitely possible.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:50 pm Post subject:

It does sound complicated though. What would your legal status in Bahrain be? Surely you would still be legally resident in KSA, otherwise you would not be entitled to an Iqama? Or do these people work on 'visitor' visas? Also, would a Saudi employer give an accomodation allowance to somebody who would be renting outside the Kingdom?

nathan_lomax · Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Bahrain

I heard there was a waiting list for family status of up to a year and a half. Just wondered about leaving my family here in Bahrain and either commuting daily or staying during the week and coming back at weekends. I think I would have to buy visas for them here or they could do an exit every 3 months and stay as tourists. Yes - complicated.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Staying the week and going over at weekends would be feasible. It's what a lot of Saudi residents do anyway!

I don't know what you mean by a year-and-a-half wait for the married visa. As soon as your employer decides you're permanent you apply for the visa, and if all the paperwork is in order, think three to six weeks. There are also plenty of cases of the wife coming over straight away.

The only wait I can think of would be caused by your employer refusing married status.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

BAe make people wait for some time before allowing them to bring dependants.

It also seems that even if the salaries are large, levels of demoralisation are also high.

Van Norden · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 409

The waiting period is probably down to a lack of available accommodation on the married compounds. In Riyadh BAE have got a new ARAMCO-style super compound housing everyone. I think the same kind of development is underway in Dhahran.

If you've got kids you'd also need to find out if living in Bahrain will affect the education allowance.