Job Discussion Forums

[DirtGuy]

I am doing all my own work in obtaining a visa but, aside from being a PITA, I'm afraid I'll blow it somehow. A buddy told me about visa agencies. Has anyone used them and what has your experience been?

I'm in Pittsburgh, PA, if that makes any difference.

Thanks.

DirtGuy

[nomad soul]

Yep, tediously painful but doable. BTW, if you're a direct hire for KAU, then most likely the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in Virginia initiates your visa processing. No need to use one of those pricey visa agents; you only have to pay the consulate fees. Anyway, what part of the visa process are you concerned about screwing up?

[cmp45]

If you check the Saudi embassy website, they should have very detailed instructions as to what you need to submit. Just carefully follow the required list of requests.

The first two times I did it on my own, there was alot of running around. The third time I went with a visa agent and it was alot faster, albiet more expensive. If you can afford it, go with a visa agent. Usually they will know what to do, where to go to do it and the necessary proceedures more than you. The catch is to find a good agent. I am canadian so my recommendations would be useless. I think though, there could be a list of agents listed on the Saudi embassy website for your country/area??? Close your eyes and choose one...

[fledex]

It has always gone better for me with an agency in the US and UK. Other places I haven't needed them for visit visas.

[bulgogiboy]

I found it nigh impossible to use the Saudi gov website properly, when trying arrange my visa. It seemed permanently, and perhaps deliberately, flawed. Using a visa agency made it all a breeze. I'd recommend just using a visa agency. If you're lucky your employer will reimburse you the fees. Mine did(albeit after 2 months of waiting).

[thriftlightning]

If you're looking for a cultural experience before you arrive, try to do it alone. If you'd rather save yourself the heartache and the headache, pay the agency, which you may have to end up doing anyway even if you try to go it alone.

[cmp45]

I believe in Canada anyways...the Saudi Embassy in Ottawa now requires that people applying for residence work permits use a visa agency; most likely due to all the problems people have going it alone...the Embassy staff are fed up with the incompetence... ironic init !

The visa agency I used were Arabic speakers, so they were able to communicate in their first language with the Saudi Embassy and were knowlegable regarding the Saudi system. They did a great job for me. I had no problems; mind you it was my third time round, so the paper work was less cumbersome as most of my documents were already verified by the Saudi Embassy etc etc.

Still the medical side of it was a tedious affair, but manageable.

[DirtGuy]

I talked to one agency and they said I may have a problem if my field of study doesn't match what I'm being hired for. They told me to contact the embassy and ask them about this. This situation could cause problems even if I've been offered a job which I have. I called but of course didn't get transferred to a live person.

What about this? My degree was in International Business plus I have 200+ hours in a TEFL cert. Is what the woman told me true, that I could be turned down for a visa because my degree doesn't match the job for which I have been hired? I don't want to continue down this road if this is the case?

Please save the "magic kingdom" comments as I get it. I'm just interested in people's experiences and opinions as they relate to this problem.

Thanks.

DirtGuy

[bulgogiboy]

When I worked in Saudi my 50+ co-workers had degrees from a wide strata of subjects. Many of them unrelated to TEFL-teaching. I would suggest, if possible, changing to a different visa agency. Failing that, just thank the lady for giving her opinion and ask that she does her job and submits the documents you want her to. You're paying her for that, no to give you half-a***d legal advice.

[cmp45]

Drop that visa agent...if you have a proper TESL certificate with your degree(in any field) then all is well and you should not have any problem. The fact that you have been hired says that you are ok...so drop that visa agent..and go with another one that knows what he/she is doing! What that visa agent said is BS! The only catch possibly is if the Saudi Embassy somehow deem your degrees as fake....otherwise you should be ok as long as they have been verified by an authority- lawyer/ Gov't official before sending to the Embassy

As for background check...total nightmare...even in Canada as well... again a good visa agent should be able to help you with this as well!!!!! At least provide you with information...proceedures.... barring that route then just follow your nose until you find the right place/website and get on with it.

Unfortunately it is a long process...bite the bullet now and just start the process by September you will be good to go Remember during Ramadan & summer holidays...not much will get done/processed so best get as much done now.