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NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Old Sep 19th 2023, 12:24 pm
  #2401  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Pkingston
Yes, your onboarder is right.

NC2 for new starters - But dont expect to be in NC1 anytime soon.....
Perfect, excited for NC2! Thanks for clarifying mate.
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Old Sep 19th 2023, 12:47 pm
  #2402  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Hey guys

I have had an interview 2 weeks ago and got asked to upload documentation. I was told I would get an offer this week but instead I received a background screening request from credence. Is it possible they're doing the background check before sending me an offer? Has this perhaps happened to anyone that background check is done before offer received?. And is it normal they use credence instead of hire right.?
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Old Sep 19th 2023, 2:26 pm
  #2403  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by onlooker
Hello,

I have been offered a procurement position via a consultant company and i will be working at NEOM project although my contract and visa will be under the manpower company, is that normal in the KSA and let alone the NEOM project? The salary being offered is decent, the package includes relocation of my family, accommodation, meals and all.

I am currently working with one of the biggest employer in dubai and my wife is totally settled here so we are planning that I move to the project alone and maintain my Dubai Resident Permit along with obtaining KSA resident permit. Does it really all gel up together and work this way?

I have sent a bunch of questions before signing the contract as when I sign the contract, I will be submitting the resignation to my current employer which would start my 1 month notice period. I have asked pictures of accommodation area, understating distance from accommodation to the office. Its a mid management position and i have been told that Meals, Laundry will be included along with SAR 34,000 travel allowance.

One of my major concern is that i am being offered FTC (Fixed term contract) which is 1 year and have been told all contracts in the KSA are FTC 1 year. Does that make sense?

is that a monthly travel allowance and what is it for?
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Old Sep 19th 2023, 3:24 pm
  #2404  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Pkingston
Yes, your onboarder is right.

NC2 for new starters - But dont expect to be in NC1 anytime soon.....
This.

I've been here almost 6 months now and have been told there are 700 people ahead of me in the queue to go to NC1. Best guess is that I *might* move some time in Q2 24.

New starters can expect to be 6 months behind that. There are no shortcuts - I've heard people claiming all manner of excuses and requirements as to why they can't get a 30 minute bus to work each day. Unless you can somehow convince the CEO otherwise, your position in the queue is your position in the queue.

If you're FTE, working at NC1 or 2 or any nearby sites, you'll almost certainly be accommodated in NC2. If you're SMP, you could be accommodated anywhere - it seems to change with each SMP that comes in, but it almost certainly won't be NC2.

Bear in mind all of the above is for people coming solo - if you're bringing your family, the situation is even worse as there's literally no spare accommodation for families and the future accommodation hasn't even been started yet.
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Old Sep 19th 2023, 4:18 pm
  #2405  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by cathalm8
Hi guys, recruiter contacted me about a planning job in Trojena. Package is good. I have a partner and young daughter of 18 months. Is it feasible to bring them with me? Is there childcare or any work for my wife?

What is it like working at the Trojena project? many thanks

Hello - no not suitable I’m afraid. There are no facilities for children and they will not be building any.
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Old Sep 19th 2023, 6:21 pm
  #2406  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Elizabeth2023
I’m flying out, possibly this weekend, from the U.K.
I’ll be working on Oxagon and am also nervous about the commute. None of my team are going to be living this far out and I’m really worried about feeling isolated.
has anyone else been told they’re most likely being put in a hotel for 12-18months?
would be nice to know fellow people are also in this position
It's difficult to say where you'll be going since Oxagon is supported by people living in many different places from NC2 to hotels and apartments in Duba.

You definitely be alone since all new joiners are in the same position and more people are arriving each week. It can be a good way to meet and connect with new people. They form their own little support networks.

The commute experience is mixed. Some people who have come from cities where they driving in traffic for 2+ hrs each day don't mind sitting on a bus, and others who are used to a 10 min walk to work aren't so pleased. Again it can be positive as a disconnect from work, it forces you to leave the office at a set time. The commute can be used for working, reading, audio etc.
Depending where you are, the buses leave at set times so you just plan your day around this.
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Old Sep 19th 2023, 7:25 pm
  #2407  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Elizabeth2023
I’m flying out, possibly this weekend, from the U.K.
I’ll be working on Oxagon and am also nervous about the commute. None of my team are going to be living this far out and I’m really worried about feeling isolated.
has anyone else been told they’re most likely being put in a hotel for 12-18months?
would be nice to know fellow people are also in this position
is that the golden tulip hotel youll be at?

​​​​​​there will lots of people in a very similar boat so hopefully they will come together as a support network.
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Old Sep 20th 2023, 8:47 am
  #2408  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Between SBC, the Golden Tulip and Duba what is the best all round accomodation if youre working at Oxagon?

i dont like the idea of living in a hotel room for a long period as it wont feel much like a community and i understand its a 50 min commute each way, which is time id like to spend more productively.im keen on a good work life balance and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and optimising time and productivity.

any suggestions for what is the best accomodation available under the circumstances, given the pressure on availability etc?

i understand the Golden tulip is undergoing some sort of renovation by october?

id ideally like a nice balance of some of being able to experience some of the local culture and a work community where i live.
​​
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Old Sep 20th 2023, 2:47 pm
  #2409  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by NaughtiousMaximus
Between SBC, the Golden Tulip and Duba what is the best all round accomodation if youre working at Oxagon?

i dont like the idea of living in a hotel room for a long period as it wont feel much like a community and i understand its a 50 min commute each way, which is time id like to spend more productively.im keen on a good work life balance and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and optimising time and productivity.

any suggestions for what is the best accomodation available under the circumstances, given the pressure on availability etc?

i understand the Golden tulip is undergoing some sort of renovation by october?

id ideally like a nice balance of some of being able to experience some of the local culture and a work community where i live.
​​
You're unlikely to get much choice as options are very limited at the moment. I'd say currently SBC and Duba are best as at least there are multiple buses so you can work more flexible hours and use the recreation facilities at Oxagon camp.

Tulip isn't activated yet so difficult to say what its like and if there will be multiple buses. It's nice there but a longer commute and isolated, but with benefit of being closer to NC1 for weekends. Not sure how frequent buses are to there.

If you want access to local culture then Duba is good. There isn't much happening there but it is a nice place if your into culture and heritage.
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Old Sep 20th 2023, 2:55 pm
  #2410  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Elizabeth2023
I’m flying out, possibly this weekend, from the U.K.
I’ll be working on Oxagon and am also nervous about the commute. None of my team are going to be living this far out and I’m really worried about feeling isolated.
has anyone else been told they’re most likely being put in a hotel for 12-18months?
would be nice to know fellow people are also in this position
Good luck! I hope it all goes well.

im currently waiting on my Acro certificate and then medical.

How long did it take the Saudi embassy to issue your visa?

I currently have the following outstanding with an expected arrival date of 29th of Oct at Neom and wondering if it is achievable​​​​​​.

1. Acro police certificate, due this week to early next week.
2. Degree attesting, did the paperwork 3 weeks ago.
3. Medical test
4. Visa application

Im dealing with A1 visa services here in the UK.

Thank you in advance.
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Old Sep 21st 2023, 9:27 am
  #2411  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Hi, I think I received my offer first but then credence done the background check on me. It took a while due to University not getting back in touch with them (Due to summer holidays) but I have now passed that background check and am about to start the VISA process. I am just gathering all the documents now and will be sending everything required this week.

Anyone have any idea how much the visa/degree attestation costs?
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Old Sep 21st 2023, 9:30 am
  #2412  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Bulldogs94
Hi, I think I received my offer first but then credence done the background check on me. It took a while due to University not getting back in touch with them (Due to summer holidays) but I have now passed that background check and am about to start the VISA process. I am just gathering all the documents now and will be sending everything required this week.

Anyone have any idea how much the visa/degree attestation costs?
have you been instructed to reach out to A1 Visa services in the Uk? If so someone else replied to one of my posts and said they paid just under £700 to A1 Visa services for the degree attesting, Medical, and visa application.
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Old Sep 21st 2023, 9:49 am
  #2413  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Yes, I am going through A1 Visa. Just sorting the ACRO checks now then will proceed with the VISA stuff. Provisionally set my start date as early January so hopefully plenty of time to get sorted!

Exciting times. What sort of things do people get up to at the weekend and is there anywhere we can watch the football? haha
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Old Sep 21st 2023, 11:24 am
  #2414  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

Originally Posted by Bulldogs94
Yes, I am going through A1 Visa. Just sorting the ACRO checks now then will proceed with the VISA stuff. Provisionally set my start date as early January so hopefully plenty of time to get sorted!

Exciting times. What sort of things do people get up to at the weekend and is there anywhere we can watch the football? haha
Yep it comes to around £670 from A1 which is a fixed fee with NEOM. I had to pay an additional £230 for a visa agent in the states for my US degree to become apostilled and attested. If you're in community 2 i heard the community is quite strong and filled with plenty of expats. If you're a Chelsea fan please do keep in touch as I'd love to watch a match with fellow fans.
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Old Sep 21st 2023, 12:00 pm
  #2415  
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Default Re: NEOM COMMUNITY UPDATE

I am told I will be in community 2 but obviously nothing is set in stone. Newcastle fan here but definitely keep in touch! Can't wait to get out there now.
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