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Post by UK_Finance_Applicant on Aug 27, 2014 8:51:39 GMT
M_A
What do you mean by saying that your degree is "verified"? who have you had it verified from?
You need to ultimately get it attested by Saudi Culture and Saudi Embassy, and they require your degree to be attested by HEC and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pk. Aramco would put you in touch with there agent, McKinnon who would guide you through the process.
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Post by UK_Finance_Applicant on Aug 27, 2014 16:21:25 GMT
I'm relieved to say that the attestation process on my Pakistani degree is complete.
In summary I had submitted the following:
- Passport copy and NICOP copy attested by Aramco (done by my RA)
- Original Aramco Job offer letter (given by my RA)
- Original ITEA (employment contract) issued by Aramco (given by my RA)
- Original request letter issued by Aramco addressed to Saudi Culture / Saudi Embassy requesting that they attest my degree. This letter was attested by MoFA in KSA and had Aramco's signature on it. This letter was arranged by Mackinnon Mackenzie (AOC's agent in Pakistan, I think candidates from ASC are directed to a different agent).
Other than the above I had my degree attested by HEC and MoFA in Pakistan before submitting to Saudi Culture for attestation.
The attestation process on my degree started (which is when it was initially submitted to Saudi Culture in Pakistan) in early May 2014 and Completed today, 27-August-2014. So it took pretty long.
Please note the above is not the official list of documents required by Saudi Culture, they need a lot more. But from my experience, there is some level of negotiation and influence... my contact visited the Saudi Culture office with different bits of paper several times (I loose count), and then eventually things "settled" when the Request letter (attested by MoFA in KSA) was given. This letter was most difficult to arrange, my Relo refused to provide it, but then Mackinnon arranged for it!
I would recommend persistence and repeat visits is key. I'm sure you'll be told of different requirements - all I can suggest is keep arranging for all you can and get your contact to make repeat visits to Saudi Culture office and keep "negotiating" with them.
Hope the above helps... good luck to those who are still in the process of getting there degrees attested!
(p.s. I did not use any agent to handle the process - a relative in Islamabad did this for me - and I think the guy at Saudi Culture eventually showed mercy towards him!).
Cheers
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Post by amna78 on Aug 27, 2014 16:59:57 GMT
Great News!! Is Culture office open? Did you get it done with Embassy also? MIP is not responding  |
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Post by Toronto2KHR on Aug 27, 2014 17:56:24 GMT
amna78,
Great news finally.
I have the same question. Is cultural office in Islamabad is opened?
MIP is saying that they are closed.
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Post by pinkfloyd on Aug 28, 2014 19:14:04 GMT
@ UK_ Finance_ Applicant - Can you please PM me your details? I've been offered a job in finance too.
Thanks
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Post by UK_Finance_Applicant on Sept 1, 2014 9:03:53 GMT
Toronto2KHR and amna78,
Culture office and embassy have been open and its been business as usual there ... just difficult for people to get to because of road blocks etc. But they have been open all this time.
Good luck to those still going through this process... !
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M_A
Member
Posts: 20
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Post by M_A on Oct 13, 2014 20:52:42 GMT
Hi All,
My update since the last time I posted here is that my degree has been attested by HEC and MoFA, I have passed the degree to an agent recommended by Mckinnon and Mckenzie, who are asking for a letter from the London office which I will be chasing tomorrow.
I was away for 3 weeks and now that I am back I was told to submit my passport for the visa which would lead to my submitting my resignation within the next week or so (I presume). However reading through the experiences people have had the process from here could take any thing from weeks to months. I am concerned that if asked to resign and the degree process is not finished by the time, where does this take me? Any suggestions? Should I hold before I resign so that in case the degree is not attested and I cannot be mobilized, I don't get into an awkward situation. My RA did say a few weeks back that I will not be mobilized until the degree is attested.
Would appreciate some advice.......
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Post by vpainter on Oct 13, 2014 21:02:19 GMT
Do not resign until you have the letter from Aramco telling you to do so. Your visa will be good to go for 60 to 90 days, check when you receive it for how long you have to use the visa. There is time for you to give notice at work once you have your visa. When you get your visa, let your relocation agent know how long you need to work out your notice for scheduling your travel date.
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M_A
Member
Posts: 20
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Post by M_A on Oct 13, 2014 21:11:42 GMT
Thanks VPainter, the issue is that I am on a notice period of 3 months so I would have to resign straight away so I can travel within the time frame for the visa. The question would be what happens if the degree is not attested in time......
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Post by borolady on Oct 14, 2014 7:12:48 GMT
m_A Degree attestation from cultural office(SACM) is very tiring process. For my case (and many others) it is going on for a few months and still not done. DO NOT resign until told by Aramco. My visa was granted in July but degree could njot be attested. SACM is asking for contract attested from Saudi MOFA but Aramco believes it is not required. Hence lots of people are stuck in between both. Best of luck
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M_A
Member
Posts: 20
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Post by M_A on Oct 14, 2014 7:41:37 GMT
Thanks. I do not intend to resign unless everything is in place. I just thought that once the visa is assigned that would be it and I will be told to tender my resignation but considering the degree is an important factor, looks like this might take a while. Considering this, the visa might need to be extended or re applied.
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Post by vpainter on Oct 22, 2014 20:39:50 GMT
Aramco takes care of the visa, if all your requirements haven't been met and the visa is going to expire.
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Post by akash on Oct 31, 2014 17:47:01 GMT
M_A,
Dear,
Can you update your degree attestation status.i have also the same problem.Please can you send your private email.so that we can discuss this issue in detail.
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M_A
Member
Posts: 20
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Post by M_A on Nov 2, 2014 21:09:34 GMT
Hi Akash,
The last time I spoke to the agent in Pakistan (Mckenzie), they advised that my degree has been submitted to Saudi Culture office. Now I am not sure where it goes from here, they said it will take one month and then a week with the Saudi embassy. My question to everyone would be that once the degree has been submitted by the agent, does that mean all has been excepted and we just have to wait the duration it takes for the attestation?
I was on a 3 month notice period with my current employer so I had to resign, which I have last week. If I did not then my visa would expire and my RC said that Aramco will not renew my visa as they have already waited long enough. I have asked her about the degree situation and she said that it should be OK. I have resigned once I had an email from Aramco that I should resign.
I am just hoping that all goes well in sha .......
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M_A
Member
Posts: 20
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Post by M_A on Nov 2, 2014 21:13:19 GMT
I was trying to PM you but it says 'service unavailable', not sure how I can do that. If you cannot PM, then please provide an email address and I will get in touch.
Regards.
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