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Post by Albatro on Nov 27, 2013 0:26:53 GMT
Hi Everybody,
I recently got an email job offer from Saudi ASC and were told that the FEDEX is on the way. We (Wife and I) are very excited about the posibility of going to the KSA, but we have some questions that we hope somebody can help to answer in this forum:
- Monthly expenses, being Saudi and expensive area to live we wonder what the cost of living is and how much will a family of 5 members (Me Wife and 3 kids) will expense on a monthly basis including food, groceries, clothing, school, etc...?
- The offer doesn't consider any amount for school aid or EAP, is this normal?... We have 3 kids who are 7, 5, and 4 years old, Do we have to paid for schools from the salary? or It is already granted since I will be an aramco employee?
- The travel allowances, when are they deposited or delivered to the employee?
- Our kids doesn't speak english to an aceptable level right now, but we are putting them through some courses to gain proficiency in the language, will this be a problem for the school?, When does the placing test has to be taken?
- The offer mentions a Rental Assitance Allowance and an On Camp Housing Rent, does this means we can choose for either option or is the On camp housing granted?
We hope somebody can answer the above questions because it may help us to evaluate the job offer received. Thanks in advance.
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Post by vpainter on Nov 27, 2013 2:20:36 GMT
Monthly expenses of course depends on the family an what they like to do for fun.
General living expenses you can probably live on $2500 - $3000 USD/ month. Rent if on camp will be around $525 - $575 depending on the house you are assigned. Less if you are in Rakah.
This will include all maintenance, utilities and local phone service.
DSL is about $45/month. Then whatever you decide to use for your long distance.
EAP is not on the offer until your children are eligible for it - 9th grade. Unless you want them to go to the British School, then they help younger. It you live on camp, the the schools are free.
Usually the repat travel allowance is given a month early.
The schools are taught in English. When a new family we know went to the elementary school for the first time, their daughter was tested at that time, before she started a couple days later. There have been new hires on the forum whose children did not speak English, they had to find other school arrangements until their children learned English. They knew this before they came. Each child is evaluated individually, so no one can tell you if there will be a problem. Having them do special classes will help.
Sounds like you have either housing option. Some people who are not receiving housing in the compound where they will be working are choosing to live in the local community near the compound where they are working. If you choose off camp, then your children cannot attend Aramco Schhols. You will need to find an International school in the local community. I do not know if Aramco pays or contributes towards this choice of schooling.
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Post by Albatro on Nov 28, 2013 3:56:04 GMT
Hi Vpainter,
Thanks a lot for the information, it certainly is of help. Fedex package arrived today and it has more information that clarified some doubts and brougth new ones that hope you can answer:
- ASC is already requesting documents and transcripts for the background investigation, health and school for the kids, but it is indicated in the envelope that they must be sent on a 7 days time frame. What happens if we delay the documents for a few days more?, this is because having transcripts by a registered translator in MX is not simple and may take longer than expected.
- It is mentioned in the Compensation and Benefits Program Global Payroll that if we are on single or family status we receive one repatriation vacation travel allowance. And Attachment A (Terms and Conditions of Indifinite Employment for Global Payroll Employees) says that the company will give cash in lieu for one spouse and up to five authorized resident dependents based on economy class commercial air between established travel basis points. Nonetheless, in the Global Payroll - Net Earnings Worksheet, there's a a fixed amount for annual travel allowance. Which amount will I receive, the fixed amount mentioned or the lesser amount considering what is mentioned in Atachment A? (This affects the yearly earnings significantly).
Thanks in advance for your help and sharing some light...
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Post by UmmRiyam on Nov 28, 2013 5:23:09 GMT
I don't know about Dhahran, but in Udhailiyah, there are some children who start K3 and K4 who cannot speak English at all. They pick up the language very quickly. It's very easy for small children to learn a new language when they're immersed in it. So, your younger two children may be able to start school without knowing much English. Your oldest may need to know more before starting in the Aramco school.
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Post by vpainter on Nov 29, 2013 8:58:23 GMT
If you need longer to get documents, let your recruiter/relocation agent/(whomever your contact is) know, they understand about needing time to acquire documents verifications/translations etc.
I do not know information about the global payroll at this time, so I cannot answer questions about it.
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Post by Albatro on Apr 8, 2014 3:24:39 GMT
Hi Friends,
It has been a long way now since the last post and the relo process has not taken place yet. All documents had been sent to Aramco in the US and a month ago I was told that they are waiting on some documents to come out from the immigration department in KSA, once this comes out I will be given instructions to apply for the Visa at the local embassy. Does anyone know which is the document we are waiting for and how long it normally takes?
We had been asigned housing in Abquaip, my two younger children had been accepted into kindergarden already, but for my older boy they want to test him before taking a decision which makes me ask, due to language proficiency: Are there international schools in Abquaip for 3rd grade? How long will my boy has to attend and outside camp school before he is accepted into Aramco schools?
Other question are related to weather, but more specific to the kind of shoes that are used normally in the KSA, taking into account the high temperatures. Are regular leather shoes Ok? or special ones are needed?
Hope someone can answer these questions. We are looking forward to start the relo adventure. Thanks in advance.
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Post by vpainter on Apr 9, 2014 7:34:50 GMT
No one on this forum can tell you what document is being waited on from Immigration.
For timeline between each stage of the hiring process, please do a search for "timeline" and read the many posts telling what the timelines are. All timelines whether a month or a year and everywhere in between are normal.
Aramco schools routinely test children for placement.
All kinds of shoes are worn here: all leather, leather/man made, synthetic materials, sandals, tennis shoes, etc. Wear whatever you are comfortable wearing.
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Post by Albatro on Apr 15, 2014 4:56:52 GMT
Hi Friends,
Thanks Vpainter for the answers. It urns out that what we are waiting for, is the Visa le. So I guess I just need to be patient and cross my fingers every month.
Since my oldest son has not been granted straight access to Aramco schools, I have been searching for international schools in the Abqaiq area, but I have not been sucessful so far, does anybody know if there are good international schools in Abqaiq for grades 1-9?
We decided to take the cash in lieu option, so we will not be shipping our furniture, but we wonder what are the essential small appliances that we should take with us. Also what are the must essentials that shall bring in our luggage besides the small appliances.
Thanks in advance for the answers and I wish yo everybody a great day.
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Post by Pauanero on Apr 15, 2014 14:24:11 GMT
Hi Albatro,
I'm in the same situation than you with my kids. They will be tested upon arrival to get admitted in the aramco School. The issue is that my kids (11 and 7) doesn't speak english at all, we're venezuelans, so I have to have a plan B regarding children education since they need to take an intensive english course before take the placement test.
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cgyguy
Advanced Member
Posts: 90
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Post by cgyguy on Apr 16, 2014 4:11:57 GMT
Albatro,
I think, and this is a guess based on what the people is posting in regards to their process, that the document from KSA they are waiting for, is the visa blocks (please search for "visa block").
My son is 7 and despite to have been accepted in the Aramco school in DHA, will have an assessment test once we get there, maybe is customary under certain circumstances? Maybe someone else can relate?
Good luck.
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Post by Albatro on May 1, 2014 17:13:50 GMT
o Everybody,
Hi cgyguy, it turns out I am waiting for the visa le or visa block. I'll be patient and cross my fingers every month. I was given a target date for relocation of May 30th, but I guess it will be moved forward until the visa le comes out. In the meantime, my le and birth certificates were sent to an agent for translation to Arabian and attestation from KSA embassy.
Hi Pauanero, I have a 7 years boy and a 5 and 4 years girls. The girls had been granted access to kinddergarden, but my boy is pending a placement evaluation upon arrival. As you, I am worried about language proficiency of my children, that is why I have been looking for international schools in the Abquaiq area where I was assigned housing. So far I had not been successful, I had only found news about international school group closing in Abquaip. I had read that some international schools in DHA area accept non-english speakers children, but nothing about Aquaiq. Hopefully someone in this forum can give us some information about Abquaiq international schools and English courses for our children.
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Post by UmmRiyam on May 2, 2014 6:25:24 GMT
My advice is to find an English tutor for your son right now, before you move. The sooner the better. The more English he knows when he arrives, the better. Let him watch cartoons in English on YouTube. Kids learn really quickly, but they have to be constantly exposed to the language.
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Post by Albatro on May 14, 2014 0:34:25 GMT
Thanks for the advise UmmRiyan, it certainly will help. Right now I am looking to place him on one of the many English insutes around our city. Since I will departing first and family will reach me until Iqamas are approved I think there will be some time for him to pick up some English.
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Nemo
Member
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Post by Nemo on May 14, 2014 4:17:02 GMT
Our experience with my nowadays 11 years old few years ago when we moved from Venezuela to Canada was outstanding, we arrived in Sept with the kid having no english skills at all, and by Nov he was correcting us and really fluent in English, if you can enrol him in an English immersion school, switch to english at home and even send him to an immersion experience before they move that will be really beneficial. We will also be housing in Abqaiq, moving in the middle of the summer if everything goes well.
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Post by JakeMX on May 26, 2014 23:46:10 GMT
Hi Albatro, Although this is my first post ever, I have been following these forums for a while. My story is very similar to yours, I am also from Mexico (currently living in Mexico City), I was interviewed in May 2013, received my offer in December, and is now only waiting for the release of the next Visa Block (hopefully soon). As mentioned above, I have followed these forums for a while, but it was until today that I found your posts indicating that you are also from Mexico. Therefore, if possible, I would really like to get in contact with you, and see how we could help each other through this process. My personal email is: jacob.lozano@gmail.comPlease feel free to contact me directly... And for all the other guys who are also silently waiting, don't loose the faith... we will soon be there... Insh!!! |
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