Job Discussion Forums

[Peter B]

deleted

[johnslat]

Dear Peter B,
Did the violations (especially the DWI) happen in the place where you currently reside?
The reason I ask is that (at least when I had to do it), you could get the local
police department/sheriff to give you a "clean bill." And if those offenses took place in, say, another state, I doubt that they'd show up (although, given the way everything's on computers these days, I suppose the DWI might.)
Why not take the form down and see what happens? Even if they (or it) does show up, I'm not at all sure they (it) would be enough to disqualify you.
Regards,
John

[tatsuo1]

Are you asking for advice about an alcohol problem or just about your criminal record?
Honestly, drunk driving is serioius but perhaps others here can advise you more about your record.
Are you currently teaching and if so, what country would that be?

[Sheikh N Bake]

"Drink driving" is not an American term but I've heard it from British and Australian nationals and thus I suspect the OP is from Britain or Australia or whatever. I suppose the British background check is centralized and national although I'm only guessing.

[Peter B]

none

[Sheikh N Bake]

If the British background check is national in scope, then the drunk-driving record will appear and the Saudis will not issue your visa. Others, correct me if I am wrong.

[Peter B]

none

[Sheikh N Bake]

My girlfriend is from BKK, born and raised. Works in the Education Ministry. Not that that's either here or there. I am not sure where you need to get your background check from if you're an expat. I think it's from the home country but again, not sure.

[Peter B]

none

[johnslat]

Dear Peter B,
Well, Saudis have prohibited alcohol, so a DUI conviction would seem especially bad to them.
Besides, a DUI will even stop you from going to Canada:

"Certain criminal convictions will bar a non-citizen from visiting Canada. The major felonies of course trigger this regulation, but are you aware a DUI conviction will bar entry as well? "

http://www.prlog.org/10157086-canada-prevents-dui-convicts-from-entering-the-country.html

Regards,
John

[EFLUndercover]

A police record is acceptable from your place of residence wherever that may be.

When outside your home country, if you have a residence visa for the country in which you are residing, then a police record from that country is sufficient.

However, I would like to add that if you have a need for alcohol then you might want to consider employment in another country. While other posters may shout out that yes, you can get it in Saudi or via Bahrain, is it really worth it to have to plot out an acquisition plan for every weekend?

That is just my opinion with no intention to berate.

[dnusher]

deleted

[EFLUndercover]

You must remember that you will be asked to produce a police report from the country that is deemed to be your residence. Therefore, a lot will depend upon what they deem relevant to include on the report and then how the Saudi embassy in your country chooses to evaluate this information. I don't think anyone on this forum could give you a definitive answer to your particular situation. What may slide in one country and/or embassy may not get by in another. That has proven to be the case in obtaining Saudi visas in different countries.

If you read through a lot of different topics on this forum, you will find that teachers may have different experiences relating to the same topic, so there is no one answer that could probably be given in your situation other than to ask the Saudi embassy in your home country if you don't mind taking the risk.

[Sheikh N Bake]

But if charges were dismissed, that is not a criminal conviction. Therefore it should have no effect on your visa application...I imagine.

[eclectic]

charges do not nor did not have to be dismissed in a drunk driving conviction in order to have a clean criminal record, becasue drunk drivings convivtions are logged as misdemeanors and not felonies, and misdees are not listed on cbcs.