Bigtaff

If a husband gets a job in Saudi, can the wife (both British passport holders) travel with him immediately or does she have to wait for his Visa to be processed first? Any other info would be greatfully received as my Mum and her husband might be moving there, if a job he is up for comes off.

Thanks in advance

nottmbantam

in *most* cases, the husband comes out first, gets his Iqama ( about two weeks ) , then applies for a visa for his wife, as she will technically be under his Iqama. I reckon you could turn it around comfortably in two months - providing all the paperwork ( and associated processes ) is handled efficiently by the employing company.

Bigtaff

So making it clear, she CANNOT travel with him or USUALLY the wife waits behind but could travel at the same time if she liked?

nottmbantam

The problem with Saudi is the entry visa. You MUST have one BEFORE entering the country. Therefore, the only way the wife could travel at the same time as her husband, is if another company was sponsoring her either for a residency visa or for a business visa.

Without a visa - no entry. You CANNOT get one on arrival.

So, USUALLY the husband travels first etc. If the wife doesn't have her own visa, she CANNOT travel at the same time. She will have to wait behind.

Bigtaff

Brilliant, that's cleared it up 100%. It's the same as Kuwait used to be (maybe it still is?)

Apologies for the capitalisation in my earlier post

nottmbantam

Not a problem, happy to help.

John7

True