Hello,

I was just wondering was is the typical processing time for Saudi Work Visa? My potential employer has said they have said they have submitted all the paper work but still waiting on some ministry approvals before I can start the work visa process from my end. It’s been a good few months now and still waiting, just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and can share.

thanks

Hi, I’m in a similar boat. The degree attestation site has been down for a few weeks now. So that’s holding up my visa application.

Thanks, have you heard anything on when the site will be up? It seems that all agents are also waiting - no one can’t really do anything. I guess it will take around 4-6 weeks after we submit docs (when site is up)

My visa agent is just as clueless as me. The Saudi Cultural Attaché have not posted anything anywhere about it being down either from my own searching.

Usual time is 5wks for degree attestation but the site has been down since before Hajj so it will probably take way more time once it’s working again as they deal with the backlog.

Thankfully my company has offered me a remote contract as a “consultant” for 3months while the visa process is delayed. Might be worth discussing with your employer?

The visa agent I had was very good, but even he admitted the process was shrouded in mystery, and then the rules and personnel would change without notice.

What is a remote contract? Do you get paid for it?

I am moving from UK to KSA for a permanent job but work visa is delayed due to degree attestation site being down. For context this is a brand/marketing role.

Company's solution:

• 3-month remote contract to start working online from the U.K.
• During this time, hopefully sort out visa
• Then move to KSA for permanent position

3-month contract:

• Basic salary only
• No relocation allowance or other benefits yet
• Saudi working hours (6am-3pm UK time)
• These 3 months won't count towards permanent contract’s probationary period

Hope this helps.

Thank you, this is helpful

Update about degree attestation:

I emailed the UK Saudi Embassy’s Consulate Department directly to ask if they would accept my work visa application without SACB attestation. They didn’t answer the question but instead directed me to email SACB at [email protected].

So I emailed the address above asking about the website being down and how to progress. They responded: So I have now sent the Attestation team all the documents they requested (degree, passport, stamped employer letter, consent forms) along with an authorisation form which was an additional requirement my University (I also had to pay a fee to my university for the degree confirmation service).

Hopefully this will help move things forward. Let’s see. If anyone else has heard anything or made any progress, do share.

Thank you for sharing this update. I might do the same. Please do keep us posted

Great to find this thread - I am currently going through the same issue. The visa process has been held up due to the SACB website being down. A few people have suggested to bypass them and just get the documents Apostille'd. But I don't think that would work, as the visa agent was adamant that this 3 step process must be followed: Saudi Attache stamp -> notarisation stamp -> FCO stamp.

Any experiences from you all? Thank you

Do you all know if this is still the case? The site being down, and therefore delays have occured?
Assume from the responses above that you are manually doing the attestation yourself? And not the prospective employer? Mines going through my potential employment. Sent through on June 17/18, still nothing back yet.HR has commented that they are getting UK attestations back in around 5-6 week turnarounds. He's noted longer for other countries like Aus.

This is the U.K. SACB Attestation site: https://attestation.uksacb.org/

Has been down for over 6 weeks now. I’m doing it through an agent who is also adamant that the cert has to be attested by the Saudi Cultural Attache before next steps.

Although I have emailed the embassy to find out if the SACB attestation can be bypassed. Awaiting a response.

If you see this post, please email [email protected] with the same question. Maybe multiple enquiries will make them realise they have to communicate a decision.

You need to get your degree attested from the Saudi Cultural Bureau in the country of study. So if you have a UK uni degree, it has to be attested by SACB in London.

HI Leolibra,
Thanks for your reply
Have they acknowledged your documents via email? I think this may be way forward. They responded to my email 3 weeks ago with below message Dear Applicants,



Many thanks for your email,



We are facing a technical issue with our attestation system; our IT department is working hard to solve it. Please keep checking your accounts in our attestation system and our Website for updates.



We apologies for any inconvenience caused.