Job Discussion Forums

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

One of the requirements for the Saudi work visa (among many others!) is to have University degrees validated by the Saudi Embassy in the country where the degree was obtained.

I did an M.A. in the U.S., and was wondering if others had to deal with the Saudi Arabian cultural mission in Washington D.C. where the degree can be validated?

Might it be possible to send them a notarized copy of my U.S. degrees (I have two) from Canada, without having to go there in person?

Tried calling the number - no answer, and I can't find a relevant website.

This is going to be a long summer taking care of all the requirements.

Thanks for any info. you may have.

Ghost

007

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Thank you, but I was told that I had to contact the Saudi cultural mission in the U.S. to have this process done.

Are you sure it can be done the way you mention?

Thank you,

Ghost in Montreal

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

If your degrees come from the US they have to be validated by the Saudi Cultural Mission in the US. This is the employer or Ministry requirement, not for the visa. You don't need to go to the US, you can send by courier as long as you provide the return fee as well.

windstar · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 235

What you are saying is just the opposite of 007. In your case, degrees should be verified by the issuing country's saudi mission, 007 says, in canada for example, us mission can verify its authenticity. Which one is the right way?

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

I have to agree with Mr. Jones...if the degree was granted in the USA then you need to send it there to be notarized. Get the address and fee amount and send it by courier.....you could call the USA embassy in Ottawa and get the required information/ proceedures.

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

Ho, ho, more visa questions from the ghost who thought the Saudi visa looked easier to process than the Korean E2!
Good luck mate.

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

johnslat · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject:

Dear ghost,

"At least, this lengthy process indicates that those positions in Saudi are serious, and that they are selective."

You were, I hope, being very ironic when you wrote the above. The lengthy process is MUCH more likely to indicate one or more of the following (maybe all) 1. inefficiency; 2. procrastination; 3. sheer laziness; 4. incompetence.

Regards,
John

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject:

Dear Mia Xanthi,
Looking on the positive side, trying to get to, living in, and working in Saudi Arabia is a truly great way to develop the virtues of patience and long-suffering.
I went to the Kingdom an impatient, brash, and sometimes rash "youth" (relatively speaking.)
I left with so much patience I now make Job seem hot-tempered and impulsive.
Regards,
John

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject: selective?!?!

johnslat · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 2:21 am Post subject:

Hold on there, Auntie Mia. They hired me (and you, not to mention His Excellency Uncle Scot, Uncle 007, and most of the other denizens of this board), so they MUST be selective (and have great taste, as well.)
Regards,
John
P.S. On the other hand, maybe they just got lucky. Even a stopped clock is right two times a day.

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

In Korea, second tier Universities hire people without M.A.'s, which I think would be difficult in Saudi.

I recall attending an interview at a second tier University in Korea, where a young/attractive/blonde/blue eyed young lady (yes, the perfect stereotype!) was offered a job on the spot, despite only having a B.A.

Old timers like me and others, stood no chance there. The Koreans base a lot of their selection policy on looks and other extraneous variables.

At another gig in Korea, a teacher training college - two colleagues who taught the same course were given very different evaluations, despite teaching exactly the same course and using the same lesson plan. The 'old timer' only received very mediocre evaluations, while the young guy got rave reviews. A lot of subjectivity there.

In a survey I did at schools and colleges in Korea - the primary 'quality' that students sought in teachers was for the teachers to be 'young and good looking.' So much for Confucianism and respect for aged people.

Ghost in Montreal