Job Discussion Forums

passivesteve · Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 6

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I have seen conflicting information. I'm applying for a job and I have seen the Medical Examination document needs legalising in all the information I've seen. But what about qualifications / certificates? I've seen conflicting information on this subject, some say 'yes' and some don't mention it.

I worked in KSA years ago and at that time, I had to get my degree cert legalised I remember.

Any input appreciated.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Why not check out one of the approx 10 threads on this topic (many still on the front page) from the last few weeks?

VS

passivesteve · Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 6

Thanks for the tip.
I had a look through and the only reference is from someone applying from the US where it says that Degree certs. etc have to be legalised, but that's not what the Saudi Embassy UK site says - they only refer to medical certs needing legalisation.
Rather than assuming that in UK you only need the medical cert legalised and then finding out otherwise, I'd like to find out beforehand.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It varies. Saudi Embassy in Washington DC, in London UK and in Warsaw, Poland all have different ways of doing things.

passivesteve · Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 6

Thanks scot47.
So my next question is - does anyone know exactly what the UK Embassy expects with regard to which documents they want legalised, or do they change the rules on a whim?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It changes. I would suggest that if you are not living near the Embassy, you get an agent to handle it for you.

meri · Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

Everything needs doing. Medical, degree certificates and experience. The final stamp comes from the cultural commission/embassy in London. The main difference is that you don't need a police check coming from the UK.

passivesteve · Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 6

OK thanks everyone for your input. I'm not sure I've got a definitive answer, but did I expect one? That's the way it is I suppose.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:47 am Post subject:

passivesteve · Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 6

I haven't seen the information that you have to use an agent to apply for a work visa in London on the Embassy website. Has anyone else got information on this point?

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:09 am Post subject:

Actually, the info is on the website, though it's not very conspicuous:

http://www.mofa.gov.sa/Detail.asp?InSectionID=45&InNewsItemID=85515

Somebody I know applied for a business visa through the London embassy. After she went to the trouble of posting off all her documents, her passport was returned to her with a note saying that the embassy was only accepting applications through agencies. By then, it was too late for her to come and the whole thing had to be cancelled.

I'm not sure if the same rule applies to work visas but the note above does say ALL applications. I was going to suggest you contact the embassy to ask, but knowing how hard it is to get to speak to a real live human being there, maybe another strategy would be better....

egyptfan · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 105 Location: Middle East

a colleague used an agency recommended on the site above (gulf visa) and he was quite pleased with them. I remember emailing them at the time and got this response

"Yes we can do it within 7 working days whole thing !

Let him/her to send me the following

1. Passport
2. fill the attached working Saudi visa form
3. three photos
4. working visa letter
5. copy of his/her contract
6. copy of his/her degree

For medical report, we can do an arrangement with the clinic in London to do the test that will not take more than half an hour

then I will do the rest

the cost will all medical test + authentication from British Foreign office + working visa + send the passport back by special delivery �375

Do you need to stamp her/his degree from Saudi Cultural attach�? if you need this will cost �60 extra'

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject:

There are certainly many agencies in London that can expediate the visa process - for a fee, of course.

However, the question is whether the use of such agencies is now obligatory for all UK applicants. I heard that it was, but I may have misunderstood.

passivesteve · Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 6

Well thanks for the comments everybody. Sure enough the instruction to use an agent is there and I can only think that to be sure this is the way to go.

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:21 am Post subject:

I still find the London embassy's website rather confusing. They do say you have to use an agency, but it's not clear if this also applies to work visas as well as to visit visas. Agencies can certainly speed up the visa process, but they do not come cheap.