Visa Help

Hi there
When my husband had to apply for his first visa we had to do it all using a agency,the embassy here in South Africa does not work with individuals.Visa only took 2 days to be processed.
It is very confusing..I know.
My husband is starting his new job in Jeddah 1 August and we are still waiting to hear what all he needs to do...(Medical,police clearance) before he goes.
The one thing we have learnt is that in Saudi everything is done in slow motion.Good luck with your visa application

Hi Yolanda, thanks for the info, I'm just turning up Monday, see what they say.
I received my visa number in less than 48 hours, so am hoping I am on a roll..
OB

Best of luck...keep me posted on your application

no

tzb05 wrote:

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Agree Armand...that reply confuses me.

@Yolanda: Once you get the visa stamped from South Africa the following procedure is adapted in KSA for issuance of Iqama if you are coming on a permenant job:

1) Medical is done to ensure you are not effected with HIV/aids and heppititas C.
2) Once this is done if he is an engineer he has to get him self registered with the saudi council of engineers. this is in now in practice since Dec 2010
3) Once this is done you can then get your iqama issued.
4) After the iqama is issued you can then start processing the family visa.

It is a bit difficult in the begining but once sorted out it is as smooth as silk.
hope this helps

Hi Zakaria
Thank you so much for your reply.Hubby was told to go for the medical for HIV/Aids and Hipetitus but we we're not sure if it was for A,B, or C. Now we know. He is going for the medical this week and to get a police clearance.

He is so looking forward to the move, he is leaving in 2 weeks time.

Will I also have to go for the medical as well as my son (aged 7)

Kind regards and thanks for the reply

Hi Guy's
Applied Monday, picked up visa & flew Tuesday, Arrived wednesday, apartment sorted same day, based on Madina St.
Let's see what challenges KSA can throw my way.
OB

Also, is the tap water safe to drink, or will I end up on a fast weight loss program? :-)

Oh Officeboy, There will be plenty of challenges in your working life in KSA.

There will be quite a few on the roads too, and even more if you drink the tap water lol.

We buy drinking water in in in five gallon containers.

@Office Boy
there are yearly contracts for water distributors from Nestle. You can ask you building caretaker to advice you. They charge 500 SAR and supply a water dispencer with it. You can tell them your water bottle requirement and they deliver you the same once a week. Medina St is a good place to live. I used to work in Juffali Building the big green glass building next to ministry of interior when I was working with Siemens. A good place to be. Try the speciality of Riyadh ALbaik chicken , it is in the market opposite to Movenpick hotel. You will like the chicken and fish offerings from them.
Hope this helps:)

Dear Yolanda,
Your hubby will have a medical test in KSA as soon as he arrives to process his Iqama. Once he sends you your family visa you and your son also have to go through the medical test both in SA and KSA. Once the iqama is done he can immediately apply for a family visa.
One piece of advice, if he is an engineering profession and has an engineering visa tell him to take all his certificates and degreess along with him with all required attestation as he will be required to get enlisted with the saudi council of engineers , without which iqama issuance is an issue. Hope this helps

Thanks Guy's
I was stunned to find McDonalds and Baskin&Robbins right on my doorstep, all I need now is Starbucks and I'm good to go.

You can find starbucks in any leading super market. I dont recall seeing an independent outlet like B&R in Jeddah.