Job Discussion Forums

[eeliza13]

So I've been offered a contract with Education Experts to teach at PNU. They are offering me a work visit visa, which does not require a medical exam and, according to their info sheet, can be obtained in 2 weeks.

It clearly states that it is valid for 3 months, but can be extended for an additional 3 months once in Saudi.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of a work visit visa? It's a single entry so it seems like I will be able to leave easier than if I had an iqama.

Also, can anyone comment on any recent dealings with Education Experts?

[It's Scary!]

God help you?

It's all discoverable in the "Search function"...or the ability to scroll down!

[Jacob82]

Do not do it ? you can not cash your cheque basically because you do not have Iqama. Above all, you are not allowed to work with this kind of visa? you will be left with no medical insurance " are you willing to take this risk".

[veiledsentiments]

There are only two advantages for you to the work visit visa:

1. It can be done quickly to get you to a paycheck.
2. You can leave in dark of night when the job sucks.

Other than that, it is nothing but disadvantages. You will be working illegally, although we have had no posts from anyone who got in trouble with the KSA government because of it. No legal rights, employer has free rein to treat you badly (and many of them are downright criminal), no medical, visa runs every three months during your days off...

It is only for single people and for the job desperate IMHO...

VS

[It's Scary!]

[veiledsentiments]

[Redcar24]

Don't give up your passport to anyone....

These guys are one of the worse bullies ....................

[eeliza13]

Call me naive, but I see taking a teaching job in Saudi with a business visa, although illegal, a safer move because I will be able to leave at any time. It is absurd to me that on a work visa I will have to surrender my passport and unable to leave without an exit visa.

Besides not being able to open a bank account, what's the disadvantage of working on a business visa? If it all goes wrong, the worst case scenario is deportation. Does anyone out there have any first hand account, rather than speculation?

Regarding the bank account problem, if I can not open a bank account then can I just wire my money home?

[Middle East Beast]

[eeliza13]

That's a good question. I don't know the answer to that.

Perhaps mailing my checks home to have them deposited into my US bank account would work.

Seems risky, though. What if it bounces.

[nomad soul]

In Saudi Arabia, an iqama is required for wire transfers, which poses a problem for business visit visa holders since a passport alone is not enough. Visit visa holders used to be able to present a photocopy of their visa page bearing the original stamp/verification from the company they work for, but I believe that's no longer accepted. (Someone on this forum may know if this is still feasible.) You can cash your check at the bank it's issued from using only your passport as ID, but unless you find a friend or colleague with a Saudi bank account willing to wire the money on your behalf to your US bank, you're up a tree.

I don't know about the logistics or possibility of having your US bank accept a check issued by a foreign bank; you'd have to confirm that with your bank back home. However, mailing your checks back to the US is risky. Of course, when you're outside KSA doing your visit visa renewal runs in Qatar, Bahrain, or wherever, you can always wire the money from that country to the US via Western Union or other wire transfer companies.

[c_dange]

I'm in regular contact with a colleague of mine who is currently working on a temporary business visa in KSA. This comes as no surprise, since it seems to be the only option at the moment for Canadians interested in teaching in there (I am one, as is my colleague).

In addition, he says that most foreign workers, especially those in the ESL industry are working on a renewable business visa that expires every 3 months. This necessitates boarder runs to Bahrain every 3 months or a stamp upon re-entry into KSA if you chose to travel outside of the country during that time frame.

In order to get the business visa processed for initial entry into KSA, one must travel to a neighbouring country - usually Qatar - and wait a couple of days for the visa to be processed before entering KSA. This constitutes a minor delay and your accommodations should be covered by your employer during this time.

Another disadvantage is that there is a 1 month probationary period after arriving in KSA before you can leave the country again. The advantage is that these visas, by nature, allow you to leave and re-enter the country at will after the 1 month probation. Whereas with other visas and the Iqama I believe you need the permission of your employer to leave the country.

Another obvious disadvantage is that you cannot bring any of your family members over with this visa.

As for opening a bank account, one should be provided with an access card by your employer.

Although some purport that an Iqama can be applied for within the first 3 months of arriving in KSA with a business visa, I don't necessarily believe this. Firstly, because they can't seem to provide any details on how that might happen and secondly, because according to my colleague there are people have been working for years with this kind of a temporary visa.

Also, from what he says, working on a business visa does not necessarily affect how your employer treats you. He is very happy with his position, is getting paid on time, can travel at will, and says that his lifestyle has not been negatively influenced by working on this type of visa.

[veiledsentiments]

One problem that I see is that you are even more at the mercy of your employer... and if he isn't trustworthy, all you can do is leave. And it may very well be without your pay...

VS

[Middle East Beast]

[c_dange]

Hmm...I never thought of that. I'll let you know how it goes.