Job Discussion Forums

funcky1924 · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Saudi

I have been offered a position with a recruiting company, on a temp working visa, which I have never heard of!

does anyone know anything about it?

I was assured it is not a business visa.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:23 am Post subject:

You sniffed it correctly...either it's a work visa or it ain't!

But, then again...ALL work visas in this part of the world are temporary

NCTBA

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

That's a new one for me...you might want to ask them about the duration of tempoary visa. It could just be a miscommunication on there part or out right lying.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

If you are getting a... say... 6 month contract, I doubt that any employer is going to get you an official work visa. It saves both of you time and money for the medical and all the other paperwork hoops that you need to jump through for an iqama. Even KAUST is using temp visas for their TEFL people. (don't know if they are calling them business or temp work visas)

The question becomes how trustworthy is this employer since you are essentially also giving up your right under employment law if they are shysters.

VS

Muslim expat · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 24 Location: Somewhere in KSA

They are legitimate though quite new. They can be easily renewed for the time stated on the first one so if you get a 2 month visa be prepared with the extra pages in your passport. It is said here that they only have a few restrictions compared to an iqama (work residency) but I have found (probably because they are so new) that there are many restrictions such as, can't open a bank account, can't send or receive money through western union, can't get a Saudi driving licence, can't rent a car and usually the companies using them put you on an 11 month contract which leaves you out of the end of contract bonus. Also check that medical insurance is included in your contract because this is one of the many things the companies don't have to supply on this type of visa. The good news is you retain some measure of flexibility and can use this visa to get a look into working in the Kingdom. The laws have changed on iqamas and instead of being transferable after 6 months they now can only become transferable after 2 years and a finished contract.

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 6:21 pm Post subject:

Muslim expat · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 24 Location: Somewhere in KSA

I don't agree Cleopatra. Yes. if you come on a business visa or a visitor visa and you work you are illegal and can be deported if caught. And many teachers still do this with the officials looking the other way at the request of government institutions. With the new temporary work visa you are legally allowed to work. To me, this is the difference. It may not be as good as an iqama for the reasons I mentioned but I won't be deported for working and I have stayed for the completion of 2 semesters with this visa and its renewals. This has allowed me a foot in the door in KSA and I now have a direct hire contract alhamdullilah.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 8:43 pm Post subject:

Ha'�l, alhamdullilah!

NCTBA

CDAN · Joined: 13 May 2010 Posts: 18

Muslim expat · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 24 Location: Somewhere in KSA

No NCTBA, not Ha'il. I said I used this type of visa to get a "foot in the door in KSA". I didn't say I wanted the door slammed on my foot! Laughing

Though I am not saying I won't look back on my experience in Ha'il with bad feelings. I have used the time here to interview for jobs in Riyadh and Medinah and see from the inside some of the institutions in places like Jeddah and Taif.

Actually I saw 5 of my colleagues move on to other jobs as direct hire with an iqama. So Cleopatra, we were not ineligible for an iqama, we just wanted the flexibility that this temporary work visa has to offer. The contract I signed with the recruitment agency has an exit clause where, with a months notice, I could respectfully leave. One American made a move to a better job in Riyadh by the end of the first semester.

To answer your latest question CDAN, many of the people you will work with that have an iqama will be happy to help and send money home for you. We were paid by cheque and cashed them at the local branch of the bank they originated from. I have had people rent a car for me though I was eventually able to find an agency that understood the TWV (temporary work visa) and I rented cars directly. Some of the restrictions on this visa are only because they are so new and rental agencies aren't used to them yet.

CDAN · Joined: 13 May 2010 Posts: 18

ummkhadija · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:24 pm Post subject:

Hello:

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 8:24 pm Post subject:

Hmm, I could very well be wrong about this, but I was under the impression that breaking the law was haram (حرام):

"The Islamic religion commands believers to obey the laws of the land they live in, even if it be one ruled by nonbelievers. Muslim jurists consider citizenship (or visa) to be a covenant (aqd) held between the citizen (or visa holder) and the state, one which guarantees safe passage/security (amaan) in exchange for certain obligations (such as obeying the laws of the land); covenants are considered sacredly binding in Islam. The Quran commands:

And fulfill every covenant. Verily, you will be held accountable with regard to the covenants. (Quran, 17:34)

The Quran condemns those who break covenants as not being true believers:

It is not the case that every time they make a covenant, some party among them throws it aside. Nay! The truth is most of them believe not. (Quran, 2:100)

The Islamic prophet Muhammad described the religious hypocrite as follows:

When he enters into a covenant, he proves treacherous. (Sahih al-Bukhari)"

But hey - what do I know?

Regards,
John

ummkhadija · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:09 am Post subject:

Dear John

Very nicely quoted, however unfortunately sometimes individuals who are Muslims will put themselves in situations that cause them to not abide by the Islamic laws. Ignorance can play a role in certain situations, such as in this situation.

If an individual was instructed and told that they will be coming on a business visa and can work, and the individual does as they are told without reading into what a business visa is, then ignorance plays a role.

Yet, if a person goes into a contract fully knowing that they are working there illegally, than what you wrote will fit the individual to a T.

But of course, people can always find cracks in rules and regulations, and this falls into all walks of life, religion, & culture.

UmmKhadija