Job Discussion Forums

[Chaudhry]

Hello All

I have been issued a 90 days visa whereas my contract is of two years and it is renewable. I can not understand the logic. Any ideas?

[Cleopatra]

[Stephen Jones]

What does the visa say? If it's an employment visa you would have paid next to nothing, as the payment comes when you pay for the iqama.

[lizziebennet]

I and all the ISM people are getting the 90 day govt visas as well! Does this mean we are legal too?

[Cleopatra]

I've noticed a lot of talk about 'government visas' recently.

Aren't all visas, by definition, 'government visas', given that nobody has the right to issue a visa other than the government?

[lizziebennet]

No it is not a business visa, it is a visa they give diplomats apparently...

[Cleopatra]

[veiledsentiments]

Isn't it the normal work visa that you went in on Cleo? How long is your visa good until you get the iqama?

I really doubt that it is a "diplomatic" visa... (but I'm just speculating as we all seem to be doing lately. )

VS

[reneebcc]

You know...I've never understood the purpose of a business visa. Why do they call it "business" if you can't work on it? When I filled out the application they had several types: employment, temporary, business, work, tourist, student, etc. Is there a real purpose and an explanation for each. I'm sure when most of us applied we checked off employment/work for a proper legal visa. But what's the real difference?

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I don't believe that there are such things as "diplomatic" visas, tho, I could be wrong. The passports that diplomats possess are called Official Passports, but after knowing all of the diplomats that I have known and taught, I never heard of one claiming to possess a visa. I think that the passport is sufficient.

NCTBA

[johnslat]

So, does that mean these visa holders will have "diplomatic immunity?"

Regards,
John

[lucreziaborgia]

Due to the changing conditions of where I have been working legally for 3 + years, I have decided I do not wish to work in the KSA on any other 'arrangement' than an Iqama. This decision will retard my arrival by 1 month? 2 months? but I am prepared to live with the frustration (I assume) and extra expense. Here, over the past few weeks, people have been 'told to leave now', given a month's extension to their visas to organise their affairs - and then make other arrangements elsewhere in the world. Or remain on a 1 month by 1 month visa extension until their luck runs out. An unlucky few have been deported to their countries of origin.
Those who choose to stay and work under 'illegal' conditions run the risk of being deported. I am observing the confusion and angst and it is sufficient for me not to want to be put in a similar situation in the KSA - or anywhere.

[Cleopatra]

[BillCowher]

I also have been offered a position using this kind of visa. The description of it in the website actually tells me nothing. It is not, however, issued to diplomats. I think it is issued to people who may be hired by government entities such as universities but I really have no idea. Below is the complete paste of the website info.

Government Visit Visa

Requirements:

1. A passport valid for at least six (6) months.
2. One (1) recent passport size color photograph with a white background; the photograph must be a full-face view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly. Side or angled views are NOT accepted.
3. A completed application form filled out with black ink or printed. Application forms can be downloaded from our website www.saudiembassy.net. Please include your email address on the application.
4. A reference note showing the number and date of the visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its branches in Jeddah or Dammam.
5. For non-U.S. citizens, a copy of the green card or a document confirming legal residence in the U.S.

Notes:

* Visitors should not overstay the time granted by the visa.
* Business visas do not grant to the applicant the right to work or to reside in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
* Visitors to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must abide by the country�s Islamic laws and regulations and respect its society�s values and traditions.
* The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia�s laws against drug trafficking are strictly enforced. Violators are subject to severe punishment, which may include the death penalty.



Guidelines and Instructions issued to Kingdom�s Diplomatic Missions Abroad On granting Entry Visa Businessmen and Investors Entry to the Kingdom

1- Representatives of foreign companies and establishments, businessmen and the investors are granted visit visas to the Kingdom for commercial purposes.



These visitors include representatives of contracting and investing companies inside the Kingdom. The Consulate must be informed with confirmation of acquainting and investing prior to issuance of such visa.


2- The Representatives of the foreign companies and establishments who want to visit the Kingdom to look for chances to investigate and study Saudi Market are granted visas in their countries if the union and Boards of Chambers of Industries and Commerce make the request for the same.


3- Applications for commercial visits for businessmen and investigators that are filed with the missions by fax by Saudi companies and establishments which have aproval from Saudi Chamber of Industry and Commerce, will be accepted. But the government companies, i.e. Saudi Airlines and Aramco, and the companies in which the country has more than 50% of the Capital, i.e. Sabic, do not need to attest their applications from the Chamber of Commerce.


4- Foreign businessmen and investors from the countries where the Kingdom has no missions can be granted visas by Saudi Missions in the neighboring countries after the applicants visits commercial character has been checked.



These applicants must have a confirmation letter from the Chamber of Commerce in their countries or memo from their countries� embassies indicating the commercial character of their visits.


5- Foreign businessmen and investors (non- residents) who have been invited by Saudi companies or Chambers of Commerce and Industry and who have letters from their countries are granted visas in their countries.


6- Visas for businesswomen can be issued internally by Saudi Companies to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or one of its branches and also can be issued for her in case her husband or blood relatives accompany her.


7- Visit Visa can be granted to businessman�s wife or the wife of the representative of the company or establishment after the confirmation of the relationship.


8- Indicated instructions can not be applied to the people who have commercial character, i.e. if they are technicians, craftsmen, engineers, teachers, professors, lawyers, computer programmers, mechanics, doctors, and others who do not have commercial character, who visit through Saudi companies and establishments to finalize some temporary work visas. Individuals who desire to visit the Kingdom have to file their applications with concerned authorities in the kingdom to obtain work visas.


9- Visas for the participants in commercial exhibitions held in Kingdom and which are licensed by the Ministry of Commerce can be granted internally according to the data presented by Saudi companies organizing the commercial exhibitions for the Ministry of Commerce.



After studying and confirmation, the data can be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be sent to the concerned missions according to the Telegram No. 2501/24 dated 12/11/1422H. corresponding to 26/1/2002 issued by H.E. the Minister of Commerce.


10- Visas for doctors for whom the hospitals present visit applications for limited time can be issued internally after the concerned hospital presents a letter from the Ministry of Health confirming the entry of the required doctor; this is valid according to the telegram No. 1297/15 dated 14/11/1422H corresponding to 28/1/2002 issued by H.E. The Minister of Health.


11- Visas covering commercial and industrial information can be issued internally by the Kingdom (The Ministry of Foreign Affairs or any of its branches) after the attachment of letter confirming entrance; this would be valid according to the Telegram No. 2039/21 dated 2/12/1422H. corresponding to 15/2/2002 of H.E. The Minister of Information.


12- Validity of commercial visa issued by consulates is for one month maximum. For some satisfactory reasons the visa can be issued for more than one month, up to three months maximum.


13- Head of Consular Section can grant multiple visit visa for six months maximum and not more than one month for each visit for the people who are in need to repeat visits for short periods and for the applicants wishing to visit the companies and establishments for contracting and investing.


14- To apply this instruction the following conditions must be met:


a) Visitor must have a valid passport; the visitor can go back to his country or to another country. He must make these visits on transit ticket.


b) Visitor has to present a letter from his company indicating commercial character of his visit, purpose and time of the visit, and name of the company or establishment that he will visit.


c) The name of the company or establishment that he will visit should be mentioned on top of the visa along with the letter of confirmation by the inviting Saudi company that must be known and has commercial registration and is a member of any of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the Kingdom.

[lucreziaborgia]

Hi Chaudhry, I need to discuss a few things with you?
Did you receive my PM? I sent it to you on Tuesday.
Would you PM me, please.
LB