Job Discussion Forums

[dareva]

I hear people have been getting their visas lately from IMS/EDEX but I'm still waiting.
Anyone else in the same boat?

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

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[LoboJack]

I�m also waiting for news from ISM/EDEX. I received an update from Carol last week; she stated that the last batch of visas was being processed, and that we should hear from them by the end of the week; that, of course, was last week...

[smp]

My first post - I joined the forum to find people also going to Saudi with ISM/EDEX
Yes I am still waiting... I'm in the same situation as you.
I quit my job last month in order to be ready for the contract start date of Sept 24, and have been waiting (patiently) since...

[dareva]

Yeah, the waiting's a drag..... I'm in contact with two other people who are in the same boat...so there's some (cold?) comfort in knowing I'm not alone and/or that my file hasn't been lost or something like that...lets hope we all hear the good news soon....

[Kalima Shahada]

They are giving us Government visas, not business visas like they said. This was part of the last message I got:

[InterRick]

[dareva]

Thanks InterRick,
It's good to know that the IMS people aren't the only one's waiting...(although that's not good for you, but you know what I mean ...
Kamila, I doubt very much whether the miscommunication will ever stop....I've read so much stuff about different recruiters on this, and other forums. and there's no uniform agreement on who's good and reliable...I've heard goodand bad things on just about everyone....so until I have my visa and plane ticket in my hand, I'm taking all communication - from and regarding KSA - with a grain of sand and hope for the best... ....my sister, who is a very down to earth, no nonsense tpe of person, has several friends who have (or still are) working in the KSA and she said that this sort of wait is all part of the course and not to worry...she tells me patience is a vary valuable commodity in the KSA...and Kamila, I've found your posts really helpful, so I hope we get to meet in KSA soon...

[007]

Well, his name is Kalima not Kamila! Kamila sounds like a name for a woman, and I guess kalima is a man!

In fact, "Kalima Shahada" are two Arabic words for "Word of Truth" . Also, the word "Shahada" means "Muslim declaration of faith".

[polly1]

I'm waiting on my visa with IMS, as well.

[Twentyplus]

[dareva]

hey Kalima,
when did you get that email from IMS? I have a vague recollection of getting it, but I can't find it in my inbox...did Carol or Azim send it?... ....thanx...

[burzy]

i'm a (hope to be soon) newbie to teaching in Saudi but some of these stories sound similar to mine. I signed my offer back on Aug 30th. After not receiving a contract/plane ticket after about a month I decided to look for something else.

[LoboJack]

This is the latest update from ISM/EDEX. What do you all make of it??

Azim
show details 7:09 AM (2 hours ago)


Dear Candidates,

I am writing to you today to give you all an update on the current situation.

Shamim and I have had discussions with EDEX regarding the delay in the visa process. We have also received unconfirmed reports that some companies in Saudi are facing a situation whereby Universities are refusing to accept anymore teachers. EDEX have neither confirmed nor denied to this to us. However we feel that the time has come to make a decision on where we go now. EDEX have advised us that the delay is simply a result of the Ministry who have not been processing visa�s efficiently.

Nonetheless, we feel that at this stage we need to make you all aware of the situation. Furthermore, we have decided, to start perusing alternative placements for you. This has effected 27 of our teachers. As such we have contacted some other clients we have in Saudi and also some in the UAE to see if they require any teachers.

I want you all to be aware, that EDEX have not confirmed to us yet, that your contracts have been cancelled, and are still working on getting your visa�s issued, however as a backup we would like to present you with an alternative, as we feel that this delay is unacceptable, and we cannot do nothing whilst all of you have put your lives on hold. I understand that this is not the news you expected.

As you all know, we were expecting some visa�s to be issued last week, and we only received 4 from a batch of 33. We were also told by EDEX that some visa�s should have come through this morning, but after speaking to them today they have advised us that this will now be ready for Sunday. There are also rumours circulating that visa�s for children accompanying teachers are being denied by the ministry. For these reason�s, we feel we need to act assuming the worst case scenario.

We have spoken to one of our clients who are looking for positions in the Eastern provinces of Saudi, namely Damman, Al-Kobhar and Jubail. We are currently pursuing all and every avenue to secure alternative posts for you whilst we wait for EDEX to get back to us with regards to your visa status. These posts may have slightly altered packages (positively or negatively) and we will get back to you when we have further information.

Please remember, that we have every faith in EDEX delivering visa�s as promised, however we are extremely concerned with the current situation, and if we are able to place you elsewhere sooner, we will certainly offer you the opportunity.

Best Regards,

Azim
(MOD edit for names)

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

So sorry, D...

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