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Post by David_and_Nita on Apr 2, 2014 16:29:42 GMT
As of yesterday visa le apps were still with the Labor Ministry in Riyadh, ETA unknown.
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Post by JeffSteiner on Apr 3, 2014 0:11:03 GMT
My RA called me on Tues PM to "stay in touch" and let me know that nothing had arrived from a visa point-of-view and that she could not honestly provide an expected date. I am cool with that right now, at 9 months almost exactly into the process. ASC have had my passport since 2 Feb and I just re-did my medical (turns out that I am actually healthier than the first time -- maybe the stress helps!). It is unlikely that anything is going to happen this week or next. I did learn that RAs are starting vacation time, rotating through the team, so it is possible that some of us will not hear from our assigned advisors during the next few weeks. Rest assured that each of us is still covered by one of the remaining RAs during the scheduled absences. In other words, please don't freak out!
If you have an offer that you accepted and you have passed the medical (at least once!) you ARE GOING TO KSA. No one can tell you when exactly and anyone who promises otherwise is talking through his or her respective hat. For the Canadians on the forum, enjoy the happy overlap of Formula 1, MLB, NHL, NBA, and NASCAR (if you must) and relish the Masters, spring or whatever floats your boat right now. It was over 30C in Kingdom today and it will be again. Find some enjoyment in watching the horrid snow melt. But don't dwell on the visa. It is going to happen. Just not today.
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Post by m1ke on Apr 3, 2014 2:57:22 GMT
Well said JeffSteiner. I guess if our Relo Advisor and indeed Aramco have any inkling on the visa timeline, they wont take us through the hoops, and wastage of repeated medical tests.
Its an annoying distraction really but apparently the key is to look away until the visa is physically issued, not promised, and the departure bell chimes. Alas, I cannot!
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Post by ritzkool on Apr 3, 2014 3:32:39 GMT
I had a dream last two nights that the visa block was issued and my passport got stamped with the visa. It was so real. You see, because I've been thinking too much about it, I even dreamt about it. Let's all continue to pray according to our respective faiths. I pray we will all get our visas in due course...
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Post by TexasFamily4 on Apr 3, 2014 12:21:19 GMT
Well said, JeffSteiner, and thanks for reminding me of what I already knew, but often forget in the stress/frustration of waiting, i.e. if we've passed Medical/BI already, then we "ARE GOING TO KSA", and not a question of "if" anymore, but simply "when".
Although I've been reading this forum for about 4 months now, this is my 1st post, and like many, I am stuck in the visa "block" and anxiously awaiting the 'green light' to finalize plans and hop on a plane. I received/accepted offer at end of December, so compared to others have been waiting a relatively short time, and trying to practice being patient.
So here's hoping that ritzkool's dreams become reality very soon, and look forward to seeing you all on 'the other side' in the weeks and months to come!!
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Post by Parker Means on Apr 4, 2014 14:32:05 GMT
Re: Post by David_and_Nita » Wed Apr 02, 2014 7:29 pm
"As of yesterday visa le apps were still with the Labor Ministry in Riyadh, ETA unknown."
David and Nita: This is good to know. Was curious how you had access to this information with the Labor Ministry in Riyadh?
Thanks for your posts!
Parker Means
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Post by David_and_Nita on Apr 4, 2014 17:38:13 GMT
That information came from my department.
Some clarification: One of the guys there asked me what's up, they're expecting me anytime, etc. I kicked the ball back to their side so they checked on it.
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Post by fgonza on Apr 4, 2014 21:15:47 GMT
David & Nina,
Thanks for this update. We need just to be patient and pray that Labour Ministry signs blocks in a short time.
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Post by David_and_Nita on Apr 5, 2014 23:55:47 GMT
<sigh> yeah truly I'm not looking forward to the whirlwind of Iqama, entry/exit permits, and family member Iqama processing falling into Ramadan.
@painter - remind me - can the family visas be extended while they are in-Kingdom or do they have to leave/return to get extensions?
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Post by purvamehta_5 on Apr 6, 2014 19:12:25 GMT
o everybody-
I am waiting for my visa le since August of last year. Every time I email my relocation adviser, her response is as below:
"No sir, we are still waiting on a visa le. We have over 100 candidates some from last year as well still with no visa le. This is a government issue. We can only wait for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia to release visa les. There is nothing we can do on our end but wait. I am sorry that it has taken a while. We hope to have some in the next couple of weeks."
I am a US permanent resident with Indian passport. This is just frustrating and seems to be taking for ever. Does anyone has had such experience where waiting for a visa le for 8-9 months.
Any suggestion/advice.
Thanks
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Post by vpainter on Apr 6, 2014 19:56:18 GMT
David_and_Nita,
I have never gotten a visa extension, but I do not think they have to leave to get an extension. I do not know if an extension must be activated by leaving the country if it is a multi entry-exit visa.
Hopefully someone on the forum has gotten one and can give you a better answer.
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Post by Shale_YYC on Apr 7, 2014 16:17:36 GMT
Purvamehta,
I am also in the same boat, waiting for visa le since July 2013. I am a Canadian permanent resident with Indian passport. As per my location adviser, more than 100 candidates are eagerly waiting for visa les.
We cannot do anything as it is a Saudi govt issue. Let's pray to get this issue sorted out very soon.
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Post by Albatro on Apr 8, 2014 3:35:51 GMT
Greetings from Mexico.
So far it has been a month since my documents were sent to the KSA, and we had not received any news regarding the visa le. I was giving a relo date of May 30th, but for the time it has been taking it seems that it will be shifted. Any one knows when or how long this process might take? or on what date of the month are the visa les released?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by Parker Means on Apr 8, 2014 16:42:13 GMT
Hi All, Just saw this article in the Arab News (I read the Arab News and Saudi Gazette regularly) and was curious about what exactly this means? 1. Would this be in addition to the current Medical Screening required before issuing a Visa? 2. Is this only for expat women already in the Kingdom who are leaving/returning? 3. Is this already happening with expat men? 4. In conducting a Google search of the general term "biometrics," the range of medical assessments can include *more than* the current medical tests we've all undergone for our Visa. Does anyone know what "biometrics" medical assessments are included in the KSA reference below? www.arabnews.com/news/552466"The Passports Department will soon make it mandatory for expatriate women over the age of 18 to record their biometrics if they want to travel. Women would have to register their biometrics at a local passport office, according to local media. “This move is a phase of a plan that began years ago to record the biometrics of all expatriate men and women,” said the report." Thanks for any insights you have on this topic. Parker Means |
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Post by erdna_oaoj on Apr 8, 2014 17:15:58 GMT
Parker_Means
Currently when you arrive in the Kingdom you have to do medical tests in order to get your Iqama. Those tests are similar to the ones done for the visa but more extensive.
Biometrical records added to these already mandatory tests will not make any difference since what I think is the main objective is to get the individuals Biometrical fixtures to avoid duplication of medical records and fraud.
Electronic passports (e-Passport) are already storing biometrics identifiers, so I guess there's nothing to be worried about or different from what we have now with the e-Passport.
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