Job Discussion Forums

[desert_traveller]

so whats the deal with the notorious NOC?

what im most interested in is WHO can actually ask for an NOC when ur going for a new job? WHO will say at some point, 'and now can i see your NOC please?'

does anybody have any actual first hand experience with this NOC thing?

thanks folks

[Grendal]

[Asda]

Word on the grapevine is that the Saudi EMBASSY may or may not ask for the NOC. I have heard that some agents can circumvent it like they can for the pre-visa medical.

The official line is that it's not a legal requirement but an administrative requirement...whatever the heck that means!!

One thing I will say is BE VERY CAREFUL ESPECIALLY IF YOU RETURN TO THE SAME CITY BUT WORKING FOR A NEW EMPLOYER!! If the wrong person spots you in Panda doing your shopping, your old employer can technically sue your new employer - which can be a headache if you don't have a NOC.

One case I know of myself was when a friend of a friend worked seven years for a school, left them, came back on a new sponsorship, got spotted, went to court, judge said something along the lines of "...he gave you seven years, he doesn't need a NOC!!"

[scot47]

The Embassy may ask for it before issuing a visa. Also the employer who is considering offering you a job may want to know if you have one.

I can think of several employers who will not themselves issue NOC's to departing employees but insist on new hires having them if they previously worked in the KofSA !

[lcanupp1964]

I know firsthand that Wall Street School of English In Jeddah does not like to give out the NOC Letter. They were nice enough to tell me why: "we don't want you to work for a competitor". But in the end, I was able to get one. I'm glad because the Saudi embassy in Washington, D.C. asked for the letter. They would not have processed my visa to return to teach at KAU in Jeddah unless I gave them the letter. Some embassies ask for it and some don't. I believe the one in Canada does not. The bottom line: when in doubt, get the letter to be safe and to cover your a**.