Job Discussion Forums

[metalval]

When I got contract it said that my husband and my daughter would be my dependent. I went to the Embassy and I got visas for us. Mine said - I am allowed to work and his and my daughter said - not allowed to work.
When I got here, I though my husband will either get his own iqama or be on my iqama. Now the guy at our university responsible for that says my husband is on visit visa and he refuses to either issue iqama or put him on my iqama. And his visa expires in one month. What are we supposed to do? How can I apply for extension of visa? Where should I turn to? Please, help, I'm really in despair. I cannot be here alone without my husband. And my daughter started school. So, now if we cannot exten it's gonna be a mess. They cannot come back to our country and get another visa because first it is very costly, and my daughter is studying, she will lose a year. I cannot afford that.
Please, if you know anything, help!

[scot47]

He has to leave. Visit visas cannot easily be changed within KSA.

[metalval]

It is really easy to say.
I heard there is some Ministry in Riyad, he can extend his visa there.

[scot47]

Visa changes and extensions can be done - but your SPONSOR has to do this, not you or your husband. You have to discuss this with a responsible person in the EMPLOYER'S office. Do not approach the Ministry of the Interior directly.

[Cleopatra]

It sounds a bit strange to me. If your husband and daughter were listed as your dependents and allowed to come to the Kingdom with you, it appears that they were given a residential (not visit) visa and should be allowed to stay in the Kingdom as long as you.

If I were you, I'd try to get to speak with the most senior person you can - the Dean of the university if possible. Explain that you had understood your family would be allowed to stay with you and that you had only accepted the job on that basis. Also check your contract and see what it says about your status - is it "family" or 'single' status?

[trapezius]

Do what ^ said, and if that doesn't work, ask as many people as possible if they have any 'wasta' (influential person) you can use.

Everything is possible in this country with 'wasta', and I really mean everything; that's how the country works.

[floydrules]

Talk to the University people, probably of VP rank and they will get it done for you.... anything is possible here, or try threatening them that you would quit/leave the job if your family is not allowed to stay with you legally in the kingdom. It might work ATB.

[ummkhadija]

Hello: Metalval

Cleo, is right they came with you and so they are here on a 90 day visa just like you, until you get your iqama. Now if you have yours, you now sponsor them with your iqama.

I received my iqama about 1 week ago and now I am in the process for the my hb and kids to get theirs, your university should do the paperwork, but you will have to be the sponsor, so they will give you an entrance code and your iqama number will be the sponsor ID.

Talk to someone else there who has family, but most importantly talk to someone who deals with the iqama process, and tell them you need to get the process started for your family. They may have misunderstood what you meant.

But, we all come on a 90 day visa and than it is trasferred into a residence visa.

I hope you have gotten it all sorted out.

UmmKhadija

[scot47]

Sounds to me as if you are with a bad employer. Why has he not put all this on a regular basis ? It is for him to sort out not you ? Who are u working for ?

KAUU ?

[Mia Xanthi]

[johnslat]

Dear Mia,

Very good advice - it's all in the tone, the presentation: honey versus vinegar.

In all my time there, I never saw anyone who blustered and demanded get anything he/she wanted. But some never learned how counter-productive that sort of attitude/behavior always is.

Regards,
John

[PRiS]

I agree: with the right wasta things do get done.