Job Discussion Forums

[titanicman]

Does anyone know married expatriate men who came to KSA without their wives and sponsored them to come later? How long did it take before their wives could join them? Was it possible? Is it easier to sponsor a wife after I have entered KSA with a work visa than it is to try to get her a visa while both out of the country?

Thanks. Titanicman

[ohman]

I am pretty sure that it begins with your contract. If you sign a bachelor status contract, chances are that unless you have some stroke or "wasta", you'll have to finish your contract before negotiating for your wife. The contract isn't so much about forcing you into a monastic life for its duration as it is cost effective for your employer.

It may be possible to bring her in as a guest for a short time if you pay the transportation and visitor's visa cost.

You may also be able to index this in the green sheet.
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=3&d=1&m=10&y=2003&mode=dynamic&sectionlist=yes&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

If you can't find a similar question in its archives, write the newspapers advisor an Email.

[Stephen Jones]

a bachelor status contract does not prclude you bringing your wife over on a residence permit. It merely means you will be paying her expenses and not your employer.

There are a fair number of limitations; you must be earning over SR3,000 per month, must be in one of certain specified occupations such as teachers, and must have a valid degree certified by both the Cultural Mission and the Embassy. You also need your marriage certificate certified by the Saudi Embassy.

The normal procedure is that you apply to the Foreign Office in Saudi, and when they are satisfied, they send the visa to the appropriate embassy where your wife can pick it up on presentation of the necessary papers.

You will need to present a contract to the Foreign Ministry, and if you have not completed your probationary period, then you would have to get your employer to waive his rights under this.

There is a fair amount of paperwork involved, and you are likely to spend a lot of time and money couriering things between Saudi and your home country, so I wouldn't think of starting it without the active support of your employer. And be prepared for delays.

It is probably easier, as another poster said, to get a visit visa, but even that is not a piece of cake, and you would have to go through the process every time you want your wife to come, whereas once she is on your Iqama, then you simply sent it in for annual renewal.

I have some other details married staff at work have given me to send new recruits for our college, so, if you wish, email me here and I will send you the details Saturday or Sunday.

[scot47]

It all depends on the employer. Posters here have repeteadly made the point that the employer is crucial .Get a bad one in KSA and.................

And the rules are NEVER rigid. Depends on who you are and ..........

If this realtes to the job I think then contact johnslat for info