dimk
Senior Member
Posts: 114
|
Post by dimk on Sept 18, 2014 13:31:49 GMT
o
1.can anyone tell me how long normally takes for the iqama to be issued?i`ve heared it takes about 3-6 weeks,is that true?
what about for the multiple exit-re entry visa? is it issued the same time as iqama?
i.e as soon as i have my iqama, then will i automatically obtain my multiple visa as well?
2.Regarding our every day transportation, can i and my wife both use the same aramco bus for our transportation, or there are buses for women and men only?
thank you
|
|
|
|
Post by GroveWanderer on Sept 19, 2014 8:03:07 GMT
1. That time frame sounds about right (it could take less than 3 weeks but only if you're lucky). As soon as you have your iqama you may apply for an exit/re-entry visa and you can request either a single or multiple visa (entirely up to you) but there's nothing automatic about it. Not everyone wants to go out of kingdom immediately.
2. There is no separation by gender on Aramco work-haul, inter-area, shopping or in-camp buses.
|
|
dimk
Senior Member
Posts: 114
|
Post by dimk on Sept 19, 2014 11:41:41 GMT
GroveWanderer,
do you know how long it takes for the multiple visa to come out under normal conditions? can it take days or months?
as soon as i have my iqama, can i apply for a mobile phone connection? From the moment i land in ksa, am i going to be given a temporary mobile number to make calls?
thank you
|
|
Nemo
Member
Posts: 41
|
Post by Nemo on Sept 19, 2014 19:56:01 GMT
Multientry visa will 2 weeks maximum to be issued after you got your iqama. You can buy a pre paid sim card without iqama, in deed that is something highly recommended as you will need your mobile number for almost everything here, especially if you are an engineer having a mobile number is a must to get registered in the SCE as they send all the confirmations via text messages. Once you have your iqama you can convert to post paid and keep the same number.
Regarding transportation, it was established for Dhahran Tower that work haul buses re for exclusive use of employees and families should ride the regular bus that comes and goes from camp to the tower according to the schedule that you will b provided with once you get here, again this is if your are going to reside in the tower.
Cheers!
|
|
|
|
Post by Coocoodry on Sept 21, 2014 9:25:28 GMT
From the response so far it sounds as if one should not plan to leave the kingdom in the first 3 months?
How long are multi entry/exit visa usually last for and does aramco provide support to its employees in sourcing the visa.
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Sept 21, 2014 23:49:24 GMT
Just last month, it took a newbie 7 weeks to receive their iqama and resident visa. No one can tell you how long it will actually take, because it depends on the government, not Aramco.
|
|
|
|
Post by GroveWanderer on Sept 23, 2014 7:12:30 GMT
Coocoodry,
Not sure where you're getting that conclusion from. As has been stated, iqama may take 6 weeks (or more if delays occcur) but equally, could take less than 3 weeks. Exit/re-entry maximum processing time is normally given as 2 weeks but can be as little as 2 days. A new secretary who joined our dept relatively recently, was able to go over to Bahrain within two weeks of arriving.
Now, that would be the exception rather than the rule but 3 months would also be longer than most people would have to wait before being eligible to make their first trip out of kingdom.
|
|
|
|
Post by O&GEngg on Sept 23, 2014 7:57:45 GMT
Most of the new hires here have received their Iqama's within a month of arriving. I believe mine was just over the 3 week mark. You can also apply for your multi entry/exit visas before you have your Iqama and thus can have it literally a couple days after you get your Iqama. You can also have a lot of the other required paperwork done and ready for once your Iqama comes in (i.e. driving license application). We have been here for just over 5 weeks and have our Iqama's, multi entry/exit visas, driving license and purchased a vehicle. It take a lot of effort on your own and you need to be persistent to get these things done.
Also, if you're an engineer you need to register with the Saudi Council of Engineers as previously stated. Don't just let your application sit there thinking that it will eventually get approved. Give them three business days after you've applied and then start calling until you are approved. You need to pay SR.500 just to apply and then another SR.1200 after you've been approved. You won't have your own bank account to do this (need an Iqama for that and you need SCE registration to get Iqama - it's a bit backwards) so you'll need to find a colleague who can make the payment on your behalf. Once you have approval take a printout from the SCE website to the Passport Office to prove you've been registered. Then your Iqama can continue getting processed.
You'll learn that persistence is key but you need to be kind about it. The easiest thing I've found is just telling people that you're new to Aramco and that you're not entirely sure how things work. Getting mad or frustrated at the person trying to help you could have consequences too. We've heard that there is a supposed "black hole drawer" in the Passport Office. If you're unkind to the person helping you they will just put your documents in there and hold them until you come back and decide to be nice or apologize; whichever comes first.
|
|
dimk
Senior Member
Posts: 114
|
Post by dimk on Sept 23, 2014 9:40:25 GMT
O&GEngg,
what about the registration and approval costs for the SCE? Are they reimbursed from Aramco or do i need to pay these costs by my own?
so how`s life there actually? at the end of Nov. i am going to be there with my wife, so your opinion would count as well.
thank you for your info.
|
|
|
|
Post by O&GEngg on Sept 24, 2014 17:26:29 GMT
Hey dimk - I'm pretty sure that these costs are all covered by Aramco but I haven't put in for my expenses yet.
Life here is pretty chaotic for the first month. There are definitely times when you will be asking your wife (and vice versa) "what are we doing here???" The first couple of days are kind of neat because there is a lot going on and lots to do. We called this the honeymoon phase and yes it does come to an end just like real honeymoons. Some of the simplest things that you took for granted at home will seemingly take forever here. It will also feel like you're at the HR office A LOT. You'll also want to make sure that you exchange numbers with the people that are in your orientation or at the very least find another expat who's also relatively new. These people can help you. Your wife will be fine but she needs to make sure that she goes out of her way to find some friends. A lot depends on where you get placed in terms of housing. Any nationality GC15+ or any American GC11+ should be housed in Rakah. Everyone else is a total gamble where they end up. Your wife also needs to make sure that she surrounds herself with positive people. There are always people around here that ooze negativity and the old saying is true "misery loves company". These are not people you want to associate with; they just pull you down. Finding people in a similar situation are great resources because you can learn and grow together.
I'm not going to lie...the first month is very difficult and a total roller coaster. One minute you'll be on top of the world living life and within seconds you can be wishing you were on the next flight out of here (if only you had your passport...). It does get better and the bad times become less frequent. Also, the only item we have found difficult to find here are decent workout/fitness supplements. There is a GNC but you'll be paying an arm and a leg for the most basic protein powder ($100 for a 2 lb container). Also, any other supplements are pretty well impossible to find here (BCAA, glutamine, pre-workouts, cutting agents, etc). If you take any of these regularly I suggest you bring them with you.
Sorry for hijacking.
|
|
