Job Discussion Forums

[vva]

What are the repercussions of signing a contract, only to bail on it, BEFORE leaving for the KSA?

Especially, in the case of finding a better contract?

And what would the KSA employer you originally signed a contract with lose besides time? (money on processing visa, etc.?)

When is the latest one can safely bail on a contract, with the least cost to the original employer?


Any relevant assumptions are much appreciated!

[veiledsentiments]

If you bail on a signed contract, I'd forget that country for this round and find a job in another country. If the original employer has started work on the visa, that may very well block you from a visa with any other employer in that country.

The key is... don't sign a contract unless you are absolutely sure...

VS

[Sirens of Cyprus]

The don't need a contract. They can cause problems on the basis of the offer letter.

[c_dange]

There are very few repercussions for you or the employer while you're still in your own country. As I was told directly by my employer, the contract you've signed is not binding until your work visa is issued and you're inside KSA. This means that your employer has no obligation to you whatsoever until you're there, so you should feel no obligation to them either. I personally signed 3 different contracts before going ahead with one. When I cancelled one of the other two, the employer was obviously very distraught. But ultimately he knew he was powerless in the situation because the contract we'd signed wasn't yet binding.

It's true that things may be different once a work visa has been issued to you - by that time the embassy has linked your information to that of your employer/sponsor. If you back out at that point, then the employer loses one spot in his 'visa block', meaning that he can now import one less worker into the country. But seeing as there's such a long wait for work visas, if you withdraw your application before the visa's been issued to you, then there's no reason why you can't reapply with a different sponsor after signing a contract with someone else.

In my experience, employers are very cut-throat in their competition with one another and will be very willing to pick you up even if they know you've cancelled a contract with another party...they will even encourage you to do so!

I have no doubt that the embassy takes these matters very seriously. But by the time it comes to dealing with them you will already have had lots of time to think about whether or not you want to go ahead with your contract.

[vva]

Thank you, C_Dange; your thorough reply is very good information to have.

Regards,
vva

[Imdramayu]

How binding is the signed offer of employment? It is not anywhere near as binding as the contract? It's just an indication that you have said yes to them and they are passing on work visa instructions to you.

Isn't it so?

Im

[Captain Willard]

From my experience, nothing is binding until the prospective employee arrives in KSA. Upon arrival the contract is signed again, meaning that the first document signed was nothing more than a statement of intention. So if the employer wastes a month or so getting the visa in order, the employee is completely out of luck. The contract won't start until arrival.

Of greater importance is the visa which the employee receives. If working on a visit visa, neither the employee nor the employer have any legally enforceable rights with regard to an employment contract. I know one person on a visit visa who led his employer to believe he was returning to his native country to get a medical and criminal record check for a full work visa, then jumped ship and worked for another employer. Without the work visa, nothing means anything.

The caveat is that law means little here as wasta, connections, are the true coin of the realm. With enough wasta, anything is possible in the Magic Kingdom.

[vva]

Thanks, Captain Willard, that's good information to have!

[It's Scary!]

Keep in mind, like a certain body part, everybody has an opinion. Opinions mean nothing when you are caught in the switches.

Just, keep that in mind when getting others' opinions.

It's the same advice my pappy gave me!