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thailandreb
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
Posts: 36
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
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 Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 2:01 am Post subject: Saudi Physicals? |
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| Can anyone elaborate on why the physicals needed to get the visa there are so awful? What exactly do they do to you during these torturous physicals? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 2:11 am Post subject: |
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The most tortuous part for Americans is paying for the stupid thing.
VS |
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Middle East Beast
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 836
Location: Up a tree
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:09 am Post subject: |
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Wow...where to begin.
It's the most detailed physical exam I've had to endure since my days in the military--blood tests, AIDS tests (including one that many clinics don't even do, and it costs a small fortune), and yes, the dreaded poop test. I've scooped poop from my cat's litter box, and that's OK, but when it comes to...well, enough of that.
Yes, it's expensive, which is why I say the best way to go there is with a company from your own country that will make all these arrangements for you. Otherwise, you have to venture out on your own to track down a doctor who can complete all the tests--I've had to go to a hospital for some of the tests/procedures.
You pay up front. And guess what...if for any reason you don't get to your job in KSA, you're STUCK with the medical bills for those tests, which have run as high at $1300 US.
By contrast, when I went to work in the UAE...I had to do NONE of that crap (pun intended).
I've stated this on other threads, but it's ironic that KSA is one of the hardest places to get into, yet for some it's also one of the hardest places to get out of.
MEB  |
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thailandreb
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
Posts: 36
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:22 am Post subject: |
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WAIT, they make you pay for all that out of your own pocket?
They can dig through my crap all they want for all I care, but that seems unreasonable to have you pay for the physical yourself. It seems that if Saudi employers are willing to give you free international round trip airfare, free housing, even reimbursement for monthly travel costs, they would agree to foot the bill for a physical. Do any of them pay you back if you pass it all? |
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DeApple
Joined: 04 Sep 2009
Posts: 25
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:25 am Post subject: Saudi Physicals? |
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Hi,
You guys should try to have them done in Europe with/or through friends or family. I just went with a friend of mine and she has paid 62 Euros for a full HIV test and separated Hepatitis A, B & C test as well, including the translation in English for a job in Oman. If anonymous, it is even cheaper.
Also keep checking on visas. Just got mine issued directly by the Uni, because it is issued by the government it didn�t cost me anything except for the agent service which I will be reimboursed for. |
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Spinoza
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 194
Location: Saudi Arabia
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 11:02 am Post subject: |
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| Poop test is by far the worst bit. Make sure you don't empty your bowels thoroughly beforehand like I did, otherwise it can be rather tricky. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Saudi Physicals? |
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| DeApple wrote: |
You guys should try to have them done in Europe with/or through friends or family. I just went with a friend of mine and she has paid 62 Euros for a full HIV test and separated Hepatitis A, B & C test as well, including the translation in English for a job in Oman. If anonymous, it is even cheaper.
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Obviously not everyone has a handy friend or relative in Europe to have the tests done. When did Oman start requiring these tests before arrival? For me, in Kuwait, the UAE, and Oman, these tests were only accepted if done in country after arrival.
VS |
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Middle East Beast
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 836
Location: Up a tree
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:03 pm Post subject: Re: Saudi Physicals? |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| DeApple wrote: |
You guys should try to have them done in Europe with/or through friends or family. I just went with a friend of mine and she has paid 62 Euros for a full HIV test and separated Hepatitis A, B & C test as well, including the translation in English for a job in Oman. If anonymous, it is even cheaper.
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Obviously not everyone has a handy friend or relative in Europe to have the tests done. When did Oman start requiring these tests before arrival? For me, in Kuwait, the UAE, and Oman, these tests were only accepted if done in country after arrival.
VS |
AND, if I may add, I didn't have to do any of that even after arriving in the UAE.
Oh, to clarify, I don't care what they do with the poop after they get it...I object to my part in the process..."disgusting" just isn't sufficient.
Yes, unless you are fortunate to go with a company from you own country that provides the physical, you must pay up front. Yes, you will be reimbursed if you get to KSA. But again, if for any reason you don't get there, you don't get reimbursed.
Ka-ching, Ka-ching...
MEB |
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Betrayer of Hope
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
Posts: 72
Location: in a dark place
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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It is a sinfully long process. You have to do blood tests, poop test, and a urine test. It is downright disgusting.
For some odd reason the Saudis are obsessed with blood type 
Does anyone know why that is? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:20 am Post subject: |
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| Betrayer of Hope wrote: |
For some odd reason the Saudis are obsessed with blood type
Does anyone know why that is? |
This is true of all the Gulf. I never knew my blood type until I got to the UAE ... when I was over 40.
That said, I have no clue the why of their obsession.
VS |
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egyptfan
Joined: 29 Nov 2004
Posts: 105
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:44 am Post subject: |
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| Bllod type is always on your driving licence / iqama. If you had an accident and needed blood in an emergency? Maybe a reason but too logical? |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:47 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| For some odd reason the Saudis are obsessed with blood type |
Well, some certain Asians feel that blood type is somehow tied in with compatibility and, while Saudis are unarguably NOT Occidental, I highly doubt that this is the case with them.
On the other hand, considering the bloodshed on Saudi streets and highways, if there is a overall majority of a certain blood type of Saudi nationals, I can imagine a case where they may look favorably on one blood type over the others as there may be more blood donors of the dominate type.
But that's just a guess.
It's unlikely, but plausible!
Last edited by It's Scary! on Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:56 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Middle East Beast
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 836
Location: Up a tree
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| Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:53 am Post subject: |
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| egyptfan wrote: |
| Bllod type is always on your driving licence / iqama. If you had an accident and needed blood in an emergency? Maybe a reason but too logical? |
Yes, it is. But on my Saudi driver's license it is also wrong.
I'm O-, and they put O+ on the license.
Good thing I didn't spill any blood over there.
MEB |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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| egyptfan wrote: |
| Bllod type is always on your driving licence / iqama. If you had an accident and needed blood in an emergency? Maybe a reason but too logical? |
I know that they put it on the license. But, it takes literally seconds to test blood type and could be done before they stick the needle in to give blood in any hospital - which is likely why it never comes up as an issue in the US.
VS |
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