Job Discussion Forums

AbeCross · Joined: 21 Jun 2012 Posts: 191

My visa agent (American Visa of DC) has all my paperwork for a work visa for a Saudi university(I am a direct hire.) but they sent me this message:

but we are still waiting on a copy of your Invitation from Saudi. The contract you provided is something separate. The company inviting you is supposed to obtain an Invitation for you from the Foreign Ministry and that is what contains your visa block number. It would be one sheet, all in Arabic. Can you please get this to us as soon as possible...

I forwarded this to my future employer and the word from them is that this is only needed for a visitor's visa. How can I break through this logjam? I have invested too much time and money to walk away from this. I am so frustrated at this point! Does anyone have any ideas?

tacomaboywa · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 194 Location: The Magic Kingdom

This is something that is so simple and any good HR office should have avoided or resolved immediately. However, something that is simple and always required each time a new employee is brought over seems to become a difficult task for many HR people here.

They must send you the page/printout that shows your name, visa block number, and the embassy. This is from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The HR guy just has to go on his computer and push print (to PDF). Also, it is normal for the school/company to put the information in an actual letter of invitation on school/company letterhead.

I'm curious to know which University this is for. If it is in Riyadh, I know that Prince Sultan University, Dar Al Uloom University, and Al-Faisal University do direct hires.

Best of luck!!

trapezius · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:36 am Post subject:

The OP asked me in a PM if the visa agency is good/legit, as I have dealt with them before and recommended them for their efficiency and low cost. Yes, they finished my work and I received my papers in Saudi via courier within a few days of me starting the process. Mine was a simple matter--getting my degree attested.

Based on the previous post, it seems to be the employer's fault, not the visa agent's.

Good luck!

lynnknows · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:00 pm Post subject:

This is something the job HAS to give you. There is NO WAY around this one. they need it to complete your enjaz form. It is also needed to complete the visa.
You will have to maybe show them a link from the embassy web site to prove to them this is REALLY what you need.
I just hope the people you are dealing with are new to the job and just dont know any better. Because if not, I am scared for you. I can only imagine what kind of craziness you will have to go through once you arrive. This is really VERY basic stuff. Everyone knows you need an invitation letter to go to Saudi.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Speak to the SACM in DC. Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission. Best toi actually go there.

AbeCross · Joined: 21 Jun 2012 Posts: 191

I am in Illinois so I can't visit the Saudi embassy in person. My passport and visa application package have been sitting on a desk in Washington, DC for the past three weeks. My visa agent seems diligent and the university has been in touch with me. But I have not made any progress at all! This is not my first time applying for a work visa; I have been through this before on more than one occasion.
I will have to abandon this at some point. I cannot remain on hold indefinitely. Then again, I've already invested quite a bit of time and hundreds of dollars in medical and other fees...
Could someone send me an example-via email-of what is needed? Then I could forward it to the office at the university. I have suggested that HR speak directly to the embassy, but I don't think that has happened.