Moving out to BENGHAZI in May!

Wildcats Active member

57POSTS

16 years ago

Dear all

I am moving out to Benghazi in May and find there is hardly any info on Benghazi on the entire internet, (plenty on Tripoli, but not much use to me) I am looking for any/all info you might be able to offer, particularly:
- any quiet beaches near Benghazi
- any quiet hotels/hostels near Benghazi
- any children's afterschool activities in Benghazi (like cubs, ballet, etc.)
- any info on the BSB - as it is the only British school, a bit of a moot point, but any info gratefully received.

Many, many thanks

The Benghazi expat guide

Comprehensive and free

Read it now

Whitestar Member

2POSTS

16 years ago

Hi,
My husband is considering a transfer to Benghazi in July and I would like to be there with him. I hold both an Irish and Canadian passport and we've heard it's very difficult to get a visa for a spouse. There's not much on the web about current visa applications - if anyone there has an experience with securing a visa for their spouse while they're working there, I'd appreciate some advice.
Thanks.

adamawolfe Member

1POSTS

16 years ago

My wife tried to get family over with Canadian visas in January and was not able to. Canadians still cannot get new visas to go to Libya. If you are a Canadian that has already had a visa its not an issue to re issue. You can email the Canadian govt for verification... It's not in the news anymore as the Libyan embassy said there are no issues.. but there is..

Whitestar Member

2POSTS

16 years ago

Thanks for getting back to me. It seems like it changes daily as to who can get visas and who can't.
De

garyd Member

1POSTS

16 years ago

I am South African and I am considering taking a transfer to Libya. I will be based in Tripoli. Will my wife be able to come and visit me from time to time.

Wildcats Active member

57POSTS

16 years ago

Dear All
Further to my earlier post (see top) there are apparently NO (count 'em

) afterschool activities for children in Benghazi. I am still trawling the internet and making contacts so if I learn any more, I will post. Please let me know any info

Cheers

FuriousFinn1 Member

2POSTS

16 years ago

Hi Wildcat,

Speak to the British Embassy, there is a Warden for them living in Benghazi. I'd tell you his name and number, but I have managed to lose the scrap of paper I had with his name on and phone number. Apparently he has lived here for years.

Been here 3 to 4 weeks now and like you struggled to find info on the web and that's because there's nothing to write about from what I have seen so far. I wish I was joking. I will speak to one of my other colleagues and try and get the contact for you. We're convinced there is some sort of expat scene, just got to find it. There were plenty of expats on the internal flight, they didn;t look like daytrippers.

Will get back to you

jkar New member

5POSTS

16 years ago

Hi: I will be joining the one and only NOC (AGOCO) in Benghazi soon from the US. I will be working on rotation basis intitially. Any US citizens living and working with AGOCO, please respond with your experience.
I would also like to explore about British or American school system in Benghazi for my kids. Does a spouse with US citizenship have any visa problem to join me later in Benghazi?

Thanks,
Jo

Wildcats Active member

57POSTS

16 years ago

#10

Dear Furious Finn - there are expats there, definitely! But where to find them??? I can find no comments like 'head to the British Polo Club on Fridays' like you find in other cities, but presumably there is SOMETHING going on. Or maybe it's true what they say... My children are going in the school, so maybe that will be a way to meet and greet with the other expats. Keep in touch - if the worst comes to the worst, we will have to set up our own expat lifestyle!

Dear Jkar Re: schools, as far as I can tell, there is only one, British School of Benghazi, website currently down, I believe. Put your kids names on the waiting list asap, as they are busy, I understand. You will need to email them and get an application form - the address is bsbenghazi@gmail.com. This is for 11's and under - older kids go to the sister school, Benghazi European School. There is no American provision, and as far as I can tell, afterschool activities do not exist in Benghazi (but you can go to the beach every day, so not too tiresome!)

Clansman Serial expat

554POSTS

16 years ago

#11

Whitestar wrote:
Hi,
My husband is considering a transfer to Benghazi in July and I would like to be there with him. I hold both an Irish and Canadian passport and we've heard it's very difficult to get a visa for a spouse. There's not much on the web about current visa applications - if anyone there has an experience with securing a visa for their spouse while they're working there, I'd appreciate some advice.
Thanks.

On your Irish passport it will be no problem. My visa took a week to come through, my wife's(we are both Scottish) took 2 days !!!!. You will be OK just have patience, it depends on which company your husband works for, if it is one of the big ones, you will be out here with him within about 8 weeks of him arriving, if a smaller company, then who knows (I have been here 4 months on my own). Good luck.

Wngnut13 Member

12POSTS

16 years ago

#12

Clansman What companies are condidered big one and what are some of the smaller ones. Thanks Bill

FuriousFinn1 Member

2POSTS

16 years ago

#13

Hi Wildcats,

One of my colleagues met with the Warden. Apparently there are only 20 brits in the whole of Benghazi! I can tell you this cannot be true as there at least 10 of us (when we are all here that is). There is also a swedish consulate and apparently they are quite active. I have a contact for the Hash House Harriers, which I will send to you.

Discovered a golf course......has to be seen to be believed, very amusing. If you have seen the Benghazi sailing club on your sarches, don't get your hopes up, we found it and it's been more or less abandoned. There are good beaches apparently which I will disclose with tbhe above contact.

I'm flying back to UK tomorrow, hopefully be back soon.

All the best

shaarawi New member

6POSTS

16 years ago

#14

Hi;

My wife will move in Benghazi.
I would like to know schools in Benghazi and fees.
What available jobs for IT?
Are there multinational companies or big ones?

Also expenses and housing?

more will info will be apperciated

Thanks

Sandman6 ViP

1863POSTS

16 years ago

#15

Wngnut13 wrote:
Clansman What companies are condidered big one and what are some of the smaller ones. Thanks Bill

It's got nothing to do with "How Big"...

The speed which visas etc are processed is all down to the efficiency of the company's GR department. Most of them seem to vary from useless to completely useless.