thecentennial

Hi,

Trying to arrange a meeting in Saudi with my prospective employer - but just getting the right visa for the trip is proving somewhat difficult.

Initially, I was supposed to travel on a temp work visa, though the agency processing the visa have requested a work contract, qualification related to the position on the visa (approved by the Aussie local Saudi ministry and DFAT!) etc etc. The position I have been nominated as "operations consultant" is not even closely related to my qualifications...so not sure how we can overcome this.

I'm not going for work, I'm going to meet senior management for some final discussions.

Then was told about "business visit" visa, though for this I need my company to issue a letter stating the purpose of my trip..."please allow Mr XX to visit XXX with the view of leaving us if they like the place.."..don't think so.

How does one just visit Saudi - apparently these are the only 2 visa types I can use? Can one just go on a visitors visa (Was told this is not an option by the visa agent in Oz).

Either way, it's going to add several more weeks to the process - which is disappointing (I can hear you now..thats the ME for you..!). I have to visit to get on the ground, visit compounds etc etc - so not meeting in Saudi is not an option.

Any tales of how anyone here has overcome these obstacles, or is it just a matter of patience?

wimbledon

signed my contract in sep. it s now feb. hoping to get passport stamped this week. yup sounds familar. hang in there

thecentennial

wimbledon - did you visit Saudi prior to signing contract? What visa type did you enter the Kingdom on?

TGFKASE

It should be possible for you to arrange a single-entry visa. You will need a letter from your contact in Saudi, stating the purpose, duration etc...

The other way to do it would be to wait for Hajj or Umrah, and get one of those visa's......

lionheart

But only if you're of the Muslim faith surely? When I accepted my posting in Jeddah, I just did plenty of on-line research and hit the ground running when I got there. No chance for any pre-contract inspections.

TGFKASE

I was going to put the 'tongue-in-cheek' smilie there, but as its my only surviving ne'er resolution, refrained.....

still.unsure

there seems to be two choices; go through the nightmare of trying to get a visa for a visit to make up your mind, or do plenty of research and throw caution to the wind and sign the contract feet-wet.

i went for the feet-wet option. so far so good, but there are a few things i wish i had known and prepared for first; (i.e. exit/entry visas, that my manager is probably the worst example of a manager have ever come across in over a decade... whinge whinge whinge)

by the way, who are you using in Oz for your visa?

thecentennial

Trying to get the business visit visa - will let you all know how it goes...

Re the visit, it's more of a combination final interview/feet on ground piece - worst case I guess we could meet in Dubai and go in "feet wet"

The Dean

Absolutely right.......... if your would-be employer cannot get you a 'business visit visa' for a single visit (not usually difficult), it would be worth asking what sort of visa you'd get when you actually start work there. Multiple entry/exit visa essential - insist on that as part of your negotiations.

A meeting in Dubai might be feasible - an erstwhile member of The Bored recently did precisely that.

Nic1

Agree you should be able to get a business visit visa for a recce - I did and I'm a woman . . . It can be done and it needn't take long either.

N

benzonar

My old company used to be able to get us multiple entry business visas from the UK Saudi embassy within about 4 days - just make sure when you fill out your landing card you put down "Consultant" as your occupation.

thecentennial

The company in Saudi can issue their part of the deal i.e. a letter of invite to support the visa application. However, (new rules?) I also require a letter from an Australian company detailing that I need to "do business" with the company in Saudi, and this needs stamping by the NSW chamber of commerce (!) - a new online lodgement system was introduced a couple of weeks ago and I think the Saudi's are getting a lot stricter on enforcing visa requirements.

My problem is I cannot realistically get a letter from my current employer saying I need to visit for business - it would obviously raise a few Qs. Any thoughts?