Job Discussion Forums

Linguist · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 202

My friend is in need of help regarding getting the Saudi entry visa through the Saudi embassy in Bahrain, Egypt, Dubai or Oman. He wants to leave Saudi with a final exit and get his passport stamped with the Saudi entry visa on the same day.

Has anyone done this?
If yes, where should he get his medical done?
Would the Saudi embassy require that all his certificates be translated in Arabic ?
How long does it take for any of these four countries to process the visa?

If you know anyone who has done this exercise recently, I would appreciate if you could put me in touch with the person. I'll forward the info to my friend.

Thanks.

Sweeney Todd

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There is no chance of getting this done in the time frame he wants. It may not be possible at all.

Has he learned nothing from his stay in Arabia ?

Linguist · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 202

There is nothing unclear here for whoever understands English, dear Sweeney.

It seems that some folks did obtain their visa from Bahrain in matters of hours. What about the certs? And the medical? Where does he get it done in Saudi? Question

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

I'm with Sweeney Todd. What the hell does it mean? Scot 47 seems to have fathomed it out. Please enlighten us.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

His 'friend' (imaginary or otherwise) has, as I understand it. finsihed working with one employer in KSA. He wishes to proceed on 'exit only' to one of the neighbouring states, and there acquire a new visa. This would allow him to re-enter the Kingdom and begin a new job with a new employer.

Wishful thinking.and it displays a lack of understanding of how the bureaucracy operates in Saudi Arabia and in Saudi missions beyond the shores of the Magic Kingdom.

A clear case of 'Delusional Expatriate Psychosis'.

Robski · Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Middle Europe

I, too, have heard that this is unlikely. One of the blokes I know said that the best way to take up a second job in the Magic Kingdom is to go home and wash your passport - ie get a new one that doesn't have any Saudi stamps in it; those nice chaps at the embassy love to check stuff - "did he really leave without running up debts?" etc.

Also, one of the blokes here, who is coming to the end of his contract and has applied for a job elsewhere, said that he even has to sell his car before "leaving" the Kingdom and get papers to prove it etc. in order to (re)enter SA and take up his new job with his new visa. He will have to do the medical again in Bahrain before getting the new sinlge entry-exit visa before applying for a new multiple entry-exit visa. . . .

If all the paperwork is absolutey right, we suppose it could feasibly be done in a day, that is if everything is neat and tidy and those nice chaps at the embassy are in a helpful mood. This is unlikely, apparently. You will need a couple of days at least.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

If the two employers are both in the government sector, or both in the private sector, and the person involved has completed a one year contract then the best way is a transfer of sponsorship, which means he won't have to leave the country at all. Regulations have been much relaxed in respect of this. It will make a mess of the holidays mind you, as the system wasn't put into place thinking of teachers.

If he is going to apply from his home country, then the employer will need a block visa at the embassy in his home country. If they want it issued anywhere else, then there are various matters to go through, and I believe the block visa has to go through the foreign office to be transferred, though KFUPM appeared to do it differently when they got me in from Sri Lanka.

Whatever, the friend needs to have everything very carefully co-ordinated with his new employer.

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject:

Linguist · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 202

Thank you for the clarification.

Thanks

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 6:12 pm Post subject:

Linguist · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 202

Thanks Cleopatra.

A transfer of Iqama is out of question for my friend, as his new employer has asked him to leave the country in order to get his entry visa.

It seems that the only option is to get the entry visa in any nearby country.

Any input?

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject:

I really think this is something he'll have to sort out with his employers' HR dept. If they have any significant wasta, they may be able to speed up the visa application, though probably not by very much. The only thing would be for him to do the medical exam and get his degrees authenticated by his country's embassy in Riyadh (if appropriate) while he is still in KSA. Then he would only have to stay in Bahrain - or wherever - for a few days while the visa is being issued. However, I'm not sure if Embassies will accept medical tests etc from KSA itself.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Officially the law changed some months ago and the previous sponsor's willingness is no longer required for a transfer.

There hasn't been a long enough time elapsed for people to tell you what relationship to reality 'officially' has.

Whatever, the OP's friend should contact his new employer to see what is required. If his new employer is as clueless as he is then expect fun! The new employer should know what embassy is holding the visa for him as they need to give him the authorization letter which will have a visa number written on it.

Linguist · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 202

Thank you Cleo and Stephen. I'll inform him about what you've both suggested.

Thanks again.