Job Discussion Forums

supplendary · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Florida, USA

Hello everyone,
My Saudi husband, two small children, and I are moving to Saudi Arabia. I intend to work as an English instructor, preferably at a university. I have a BA in English and an MA in Linguistics (TESL) but no experience. Will I get a better salary and benefits package if I apply without mentioning my family and go on a work Iqama? Or should I apply and mention that I would be going on my husband�s iqama?

I�m also concerned about accommodation. I�m under the impression that if I go on a work iqama I will be provided accommodation at a teachers� compound. If that is the case, will my family be able to live there as well?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Oh, and I'm a U.S. citizen.
Thanks in advance.

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:42 am Post subject:

If you take a job on your husband's sponsorship, you probably will not be eligible for such benefits as flights, housing and health insurance paid for by your employer. Some employers also pay locally hired staff a lower salary as well. If you apply for a job in your home country, you will receive what is called an 'international contract'. This means that you will be eligible for the above benefits, but it also means that you will be under your employer's (rather than your husband's) sponsorship, and will have to depend on them to issue you with exit visas and other paperwork.

Regarding housing, it depends on the employer. Sometimes teachers are housed on-campus, other times they live in housing (perhaps on a compound) provided by the employer. There's no reason your family could not live with you in such housing - provided of course that you are eligible for housing benefits in the first place. If you work under your husband's sponsorship you probably will not be.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Her husband is a Saudi. He does not have an Iqama which is an ID/work permit for foreigners.

There must be other posters here who are in this position (ie non-Saudis married to Saudis in KSA)

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:22 am Post subject:

My mistake: I have now edited my post and substituted 'sponsorship' for 'iqama' in the first line. However, to the best of my knowledge the rest of my post still stands.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The arcane mysteries of the Saudi bureaucracy may be easier to understand for a local. Maybe your husband can check out the position ?

As for getting a contract you seem to have no teaching experience. That could be a problem.