Urgent help needed....

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

Hi I am in a dilemma regarding my visa to KSA the thing is

I was selected in a company(big company) as a Quality technician and my visa papers arrived today but my agent dropped a bomb on me saying that he cant apply for technician visa for me as I have a foreign post graduate degree which is related to my work profile but is not recognized in my home country(INDIA) and my visa will be rejected and he was suggesting that the only way for me to go to KSA is through labor visa.... "wat crap" datz da same words came out of my mouth when he said it but he said there is no other go..... my question is wat should i do now.

he was saying I am not the first person who is doing this as doctors and engineers have gone 2 KSA like this.... is it true

I have done some research and found i cant take family on labor visa which is not a problem as I don't have a family to take 2 KSA... apart from this is there any other disadvantages of going on a labor visa, like not paying me or not giving me annual leave dat kinda things...

please u r help is much appreciated.....

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houstonian Serial expat

229POSTS

14 years ago

What is a "labor" visa - I am not sure what that is. Is that the same as a business visa?

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

I mean labor category.... the agent said there are 3 categories like top levels, mid level and labor category these are shown in arabic when visa arrives....

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

14 years ago

You can still face lots of problems with the new Nitaqat scheme in operation now where the Interior Ministry and Labor Departments are hounding private companies to conform to a very rigid Saudization process.

TheLegendLeads ViP

5763POSTS

14 years ago

galiusman wrote:
I have done some research and found i cant take family on labor visa which is not a problem as I don't have a family to take 2 KSA... apart from this is there any other disadvantages of going on a labor visa, like not paying me or not giving me annual leave dat kinda things...

The family visa must not a big deal coz it's difficult for anything 'technician' profession as well either.

Apart from it, expect for the labor profession the following difficulties:

- Getting the driving licenses
- Obtaining on-the-border visas for GCC (Bahrain and UAE at least I know of).

By the way, a tough policy for saudilization will be enforced soon. They have plans to push out at least 40% of the expats. In my view, it's better to review visa options various times before proceeding.

TheLegendLeads ViP

5763POSTS

14 years ago

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article410649.ece http://www.arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article388938.ece

TheLegendLeads ViP

5763POSTS

14 years ago

*saudization

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

So according to saudization any body can loose a job... it that right

TheLegendLeads ViP

5763POSTS

14 years ago

Obviously No.

Here is how it will work:
All companies has been categorized in 4 color bands; blue, green, yellow and red based on the saudis ratio in the company and its complaince with a scale provided by the govt.

- Blue and Green are safe and they'll enjoy high-end benefits.
- Yellows are advised to be green ASAP (by increasing the number of saudi employees) and many limitations applied.
- Red are 'kick-out' ones. All employees must leave.

The bottomline is: Only company managements can manage the colors and decide the fate of the employees.

Some professions are being strictly reserved for Saudis and expats will be replaced fast. That's the point from where your case gets related. And that's why I said 'Be Thoughtful...!'.

All the Best!

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

14 years ago

#10

Furthermore job roles must fit the job classification of the employee. hence a labourer doing a white collar job could easily get the chop chop..

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#11

@music man if my company is in blue or green category will i still loose my job if my iqama says i am a laborer....

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

14 years ago

#12

you wont unless they do an inspection which we are expecting will follow during this new Nitaqat Saudization scheme which is intended to send as many expats back home to be replaced by Saudi's.

there have been some instances already where labor department inspectors have checked on some companies for ensuring that all employees are under their sponsorship as well as their professions match the job roles they are carrying out.

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#13

oh god then i guess i am in soup....

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

14 years ago

#14

Ask the company about it and the risks involved and how they plan to mitigate them if and when such issues arise.

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#15

Actually I did and it didn't go well.... I contacted da HR dept and they retaliated by sending my agent here in India an e-mail strongly not to ask such things... as they knw what to do and I need not to ask them all dat stuff before even coming to KSA... I didn't like the people's attitude in KSA.... I worked in 3 different countries and never got this kind of reply saying not to contact them.

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

14 years ago

#16

OK, then, in that case make sure that your contract has you well covered for compensation in the event you have to return home before the completion of your agreement with them. You dont want to be saddled between a rock and a hard place.

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#17

I heard something about my application from my agent after a long standoff.... I want to discuss wid musicman and thelegendleads here it goes....

My agent told dat I wont be going on a labour visa (thank god).... he said the company ppl will issue a letter in arabic directed to embassy people denoting dat my degree has something to do wid da job I am going and issue me a technical visa (better dan labor huh)... so my question is can da company do that I mean can a letter from company make a difference wid embassy people....I just need u r opinion....

TheLegendLeads ViP

5763POSTS

14 years ago

#18

The Saudi embassies do respect letters issued by renowned companies. This will definitely facilitate & expedite your visa issuance process.

On the other hand, it won't safeguard you from (God forbid) periodic inspection @musicman mentioned above.

Let us wait to hear from @musicman as well.

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

14 years ago

#19

agree with TheLegendLeads.
i think its worth a shot
go for it young man
good luck

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#20

Thank u music man fingers crossed let c i will get the visa or not anyways about the saudization which legendleads said I asked my agent nd he said its only 4 people who are in labor visa or as technician (low profile) people and been working in da same position for long in smaller companies are been targeted nd sent off 2 der respected countries.... if u doing wat u r iqama says nd there is big company behind u then dey will protect u I am not sure how true it is but datz his say.....

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

14 years ago

#21

That is certainly true. People in high places can do the unthinkable here.

BAK Active member

79POSTS

14 years ago

#22

It all depends on how desperate you are. If you are spending a reasonable time at your home country and the difference in compensation is not much, I would suggest that you stick to your job.

Its always better to get things straight before you reach. Also keep your expectations as low as possible if you are coming with so much of " ifs and buts".

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#23

I am not desperate for money I am desperate for experience and being associated with a big company and yes my agent is genuine as he told me before hand dat this is the scenario and arranged for a technical category visa so I am ok with... instead of going for a labor visa...

I am still awaiting the visa documents and letter from company so letz c how da things go....

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

14 years ago

#24

step out and take the challenge, good luck to you

imraan007 Serial expat

428POSTS

14 years ago

#25

saudi experience is a great one and usually the pay is good...i think an open mind would be great and usually u have a 3 month probation and u can see if u like the place. the labor visa really sucks, like if u wanna bring ur family down or u need a drivers license there maybe obstacles. many of my friends say they cant bring their family to visit becoz of the labor visa

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#26

Yaa even i heard dat getting u r family is impossible until and unless u change u r profession... which is also impossible so people even u r general manager in labor visa cannot get there family (i was doing some research).....

I was just wondering will it take longer for my case to process than the straight forward cases like people who are going in labor or doctor or nurse category..... as I havent got my papers from the company so far and my agent says it will take more time dan normal.... how true is it....

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

14 years ago

#27

you cant really put a time frame on the processing process. everything depends on how the company and the recruiting agent carry out their responsibilities once the visa is issued by the Saudi authorities

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#28

guys my visa papers arrived and my medical is done nd der is a good news and bad news

first of all i will go wid bad news which is I have 2 to apply for labor category as there is no other go... as da company issues visas in only 4 categories and my degree doesnt fit any of those categories... so i even spoke 2 company people and dey said dey cant do any thing....

now da good news is even i am going in a labor visa incase i am layed off (due to saudiazation) i will get my salary as well as one month bonus along wid it....

da person who spoke with me from the company said as far as he know not even a single person was layed off from Almarai he was saying as its da KSA kings company people tend 2 overlook almarai and da target group is mid level jobs not people from labor category as KSA people generally dont prefer labor jobs so he said i dont have 2 worry.....

so guyz wat do u think about dis argument how much percent truth is der in wat he said......

musicman ViP

3180POSTS

14 years ago

#29

Al Marai is a super company to work for. The HO is located just close to my residence on Exit 7. Do get in touch when you arrive.

Go for it young man. Good Luck!

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#30

sure will music man give me u r contact number i will call u once everything is settled may b u can teach me guitar.....

TheLegendLeads ViP

5763POSTS

14 years ago

#31

Yeah, Good Luck @galiusman,

And I too live on Exit 7. Do invite me too; will love to meet you with the Big Boss @musicman --

majedyam New member

6POSTS

14 years ago

#32

well for labors to bring their family down here is easy. You should have a good influence in your company Hr and they can do for you what ever you need. Enjoy your visit with you family dudes.

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#33

Hi Majedyam thank u for the reply and apart from not able to bring family what other restrictions are there for a person who is on labor visa please advice.....

galiusman Active member

98POSTS

14 years ago

#34

Just one more thing I want to know if any one can answer as KSA need ECNR stamped in the passport but my passport is ECR and my agent said he would get ECNR stamped from the saudi embassy so that i can travel to KSA does any have any idea that saudi embassy does ECNR stampings.....

majedyam New member

6POSTS

14 years ago

#35

I am travelling around all the way in the country. I think there are no restrictions only with position labor. you can use banks, licence, insurance and could subscribe to many organizational things. I don't think if they restricts you for some thing here. Because it normal here most of the people here are working with their labor visa. Also govt has to run the system. So there is nothing so I think. But for a good opportunities here one should try to get a good position visa. ECR and ECNR depends on position. If the visa status is labor then Emigration Check is Not Required which is ECNR