If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
#151
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 278
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Hi everyone, after relying on this forum when I decided to move to Kuwait about 3.5 years ago from Sydney, I am again at a crossroads and seek your advice for going one better than Kuwait and move to Riyadh. I guess the first question is how difficult the life is in Saudi for a young western family with two children (5 and 1 year olds). A lot information around the restrictions imposed on women, dress, not being able to drive etc. How difficult do you or your wives, friends etc find this aspect of life?
No guarantees. You can get parental visit visas without too much difficulty (provided your parents are around 50+) but anyone of working age will struggle to get a visit visa unless you have influence or (it is rumored) you are willing to pay 'facilitation fees' to the customs office.
Last edited by FriendlyExpat; Oct 16th 2016 at 10:45 am.
#152
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2012
Location: Kuwait
Posts: 30
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Thanks very much for all this. Two further questions:
Re: Compounds - which ones are the best ones, popular with western expats... not just the western lifestyle...
Re: Schools - can you provide a list of schools again popular with western families?
Re: Compounds - which ones are the best ones, popular with western expats... not just the western lifestyle...
Re: Schools - can you provide a list of schools again popular with western families?
#153
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 278
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Do a search on this board for endless discussions of Riyadh compounds. High end western compounds include Cordoba, Al Nakhla, Al Hamra, Arabian Homes, Eid, Kingdom, Arizona, Al Bustan, etc. Budget western compounds include Fal and Seder Village.
#154
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Hi
Does anybody work in Al-hasa city / region of Saudi Arabia who can share the information about the area? Population?
Thanks.
Does anybody work in Al-hasa city / region of Saudi Arabia who can share the information about the area? Population?
Thanks.
#155
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: where I currently am
Posts: 454
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
population? Is Google broken?
al hasa is quieter and greener than most places (that's a relative observation) because of the many data palms throughout the city... more like town really. There are some caves which are nice and cool even in the summer... for visiting, not living in.
al hasa is quieter and greener than most places (that's a relative observation) because of the many data palms throughout the city... more like town really. There are some caves which are nice and cool even in the summer... for visiting, not living in.
#156
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
In Ottoman times it was the administrative centre. Used to be main commercial centre and had a sizeable Jewish population. There is actually a Jewish Graveyard. I can show you where if you cross my palm with silver, effendi. The Jewish population here had strong family ties to Bahrain, which still has a Jewish minority.
#157
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
I was wondering if anyone could give any advise for a British woman coming to Riyadh to work.
I have a job working in aviation in Riyadh and my company are organising my visa for me, however I have been told that I will need to arrange my own medical and documents.
Can anyone advise me on the following please,
1- can I have the medical done at my own GP, filling in the form that I have found online?
2- any ideas on the cost of this as well, as all of the doctors online are charging in excess of £300
3- do I need to have this legalised by the FCO still?
4- do I need any other documents other than the medical and visa application?
I'm really sorry for all of the questions, I have tried good old google...but thought this would be better because of your knowledge.
Thank you in advance for you help.
I have a job working in aviation in Riyadh and my company are organising my visa for me, however I have been told that I will need to arrange my own medical and documents.
Can anyone advise me on the following please,
1- can I have the medical done at my own GP, filling in the form that I have found online?
2- any ideas on the cost of this as well, as all of the doctors online are charging in excess of £300
3- do I need to have this legalised by the FCO still?
4- do I need any other documents other than the medical and visa application?
I'm really sorry for all of the questions, I have tried good old google...but thought this would be better because of your knowledge.
Thank you in advance for you help.
#158
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
A reasonable employer would do all these things for you. Failure to do that sets off alarm bells for me.
#159
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 5
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Hi all, I have been issued with a UK police caution for returning a clothing item to a clothing store with the wrong price tag on. Would I still be successful in obtaining my work visa for Saudi Arabia? It was some sort of silly misunderstanding, but I ended up with a caution/warning. Are there any others with a police caution and were still successful in obtaining their working visa for SA? Many thanks for your replies!
Ps This was the first (and last) time in my life that I came into contact with the police.
Ps This was the first (and last) time in my life that I came into contact with the police.
#160
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
I was wondering if anyone could give any advise for a British woman coming to Riyadh to work.
I have a job working in aviation in Riyadh and my company are organising my visa for me, however I have been told that I will need to arrange my own medical and documents.
Can anyone advise me on the following please,
1- can I have the medical done at my own GP, filling in the form that I have found online?
2- any ideas on the cost of this as well, as all of the doctors online are charging in excess of £300
3- do I need to have this legalised by the FCO still?
4- do I need any other documents other than the medical and visa application?
I'm really sorry for all of the questions, I have tried good old google...but thought this would be better because of your knowledge.
Thank you in advance for you help.
I have a job working in aviation in Riyadh and my company are organising my visa for me, however I have been told that I will need to arrange my own medical and documents.
Can anyone advise me on the following please,
1- can I have the medical done at my own GP, filling in the form that I have found online?
2- any ideas on the cost of this as well, as all of the doctors online are charging in excess of £300
3- do I need to have this legalised by the FCO still?
4- do I need any other documents other than the medical and visa application?
I'm really sorry for all of the questions, I have tried good old google...but thought this would be better because of your knowledge.
Thank you in advance for you help.
However, the alternative is to do it yourself, and there are two ways.
1- The Hard Way. Cheaper, but a little fraught as you'll be dealing with the Saudi Embassy personally, and they're never the easiest, as rules change daily. Your GP may be able to do the medical for you. Some GP's do it for free, some of them charge. Once it's done, it will need attesting as far as I know. The next step is to then submit your visa application using the Saudi Embassy forms and the documents your new employer may have sent eg Offer Letter. You may also have to provide any educational certificates ( which also need attesting firstly by the FCO then by the Saudi Embassy )
2 - The Easier Way. Pay for some else to do it all. More expensive but a lot less hassle. I've used an agency in the past who will do the whole thing - the medical, and visa application. Obviously more expensive but in my view, worth it due to not having the hassle of dealing with embassies.
Good Luck.