Job Discussion Forums

[BuddyP]

Shabab,
Im hoping to bring my wife out but am sacred that she will be turned away when they discover she has Hep C.
Does anyone know of any precedents set with regards to this, or of where I may find out?
Regards,
BuddyP

[johnslat]

Dear BuddyP,
I don't think she could get a visa:

Visa Process for Saudi Arabia - For citizens of the United States of America

STEP 3
Proceed with the following requests immediately (asthey require the most amount of time to complete). The urgent items are:

Medicals: Schedule an appointment with your physician to complete your medical examination, including the required medical lab tests and medical forms. The medical lab tests and medical reports must be completed within three months* of the date of your formal visa application.

The official Embassy Medical Report forms must be completed in full, and in triplicate, by a licensed US Medical Doctor (MD)*. The name, license number, signature, and address of your physician should appear clearly on each page of your completed medical forms.

The following medical lab test results (required for the visa) must accompany your Embassy Medical Reports (any copies must be initialed by your physician)

HIV;
RPR/Syphilis;
Hepatitis B antigen;
Hepatitis B antibody;
Hepatitis C;
Blood counts and screening profile (this includes: random glucose, creatinine, phosphate, urate, albumin, alkaline phosphate, AST, total bilirubin, total protein and cholesterol);
Chest x-ray (if you completed a chest-x-ray within 12 months of your intended departure date, your old test result can be used, and it will not be necessary to repeat this exam);
Urinalysis.

http://www.hziegler.com/locations/middle-east/saudi-arabia/articles/visa-process-for-saudi-arabia-for-americans.html

Sorry,
John

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Hey, BuddyP, I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, unless I'm wrong, I'd think that'd be a deal breaker. I hope someone can prove me wrong!

NCTBA

[Asda]

I have heard bad news as well on that front. Anyone with any form of Hep, whether past or present is not allowed into the country. If you contract it whilst being in the country you will be ordered to leave ASAP.

Of course this is for non-Saudis. Not sure about GCC nationals tho...

[Stephen Jones]

It's getting in the country that is going to be the problem, if spouses have to go through the same process as applicants for a work visa.

With hepatitis B they do the anti-gen test, so if you had it before and are cured, or were vaccinated against it (they've been vaccinating all Saudi primary school children since the 1990s) then although you would fail the antibody test you don't fail the antigen test.

With hepatitis C the only test is the antibody test.