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Post by teeboy12 on Aug 13, 2015 9:37:55 GMT
o,
I understand that if you are a family status employee you can decide to first relocate alone, with the family to follow later. When relocating alone you'd be classified as a Bachelor, and the family status will be reinstated when you relocate your family.
My question is: Is there a deadline (1, 2, 3 years?) for relocating my family? If I want, can I remain a bachelor and relocate my family after 2 years. I wouldn't want to relocate them until I have found a very good school for the kids.
Thanks
Tee
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FPEPRO
Advanced Member
Posts: 58
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Post by FPEPRO on Aug 14, 2015 16:07:56 GMT
I just came from the Houston office yesterday. They told me you get up to 120 days for your family to relocate to KSA after your arrival or you lose your family status and must have it reinstated later. They also said you can only defer relocation for up to one year, after which you lose relocation assistance. Those were my specific questions I was interested in. As for time limit on bringing the family there... I don't believe there is one. One other family asked about that in person and it sounded as if you could bring them over anytime you wanted to after adjusting your status back to family and getting their visa approved of course.
But heed the warning about the one year deferral for relocation assistance, that could be a big deal for you. They only allow one single paid relocation. They will not split it. So if they move your belongings to KSA now, they won't pay for another move later. I wanted to move myself first, then move my family later, and the said that was not possible unless I paid for one myself. So I decided to fly there first with only my bags in hand, then ship my stuff and the families stuff all together at a later time. But in my case I'm only delaying my families arrival a couple months, not years.
On a personal note, many of the schools are packed right now, but there are schools with openings and most are decent. Plus you can always transfer to a more preferred school in the following year. I'd really caution against leaving your entire family behind for years. That's hard on kids, and your relationship. But that is just my humble opinion.
-CT
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Post by teeboy12 on Aug 15, 2015 0:14:12 GMT
Thank you CT for your response.
It is the issue with the schools that worries me most. I wouldn't want to withdraw my kids from school now, send them to one school in KSA and then withdraw them again. I would only want to send them to a school that I know I would be happy for them to finish there. Also, if I want my family to join me next year, my first kid would only have 1 year left in the primary school. Wouldn't sending her to anther school for only 1 year be disrupting to her? This is a rhetorical question, but also one of the the things worrying me which is why I was looking at them joining me in 2 years time, although I am aware and worried about the impact that would have on the kids.
I have just been assigned a Relocation Advisor so I hope to speak with her for the first time on Monday. I may decide to collect cash in lieu for both myself and my family so that I wouldn't miss out on the relocation assistance entirely. I can then pay for the shipping myself when I am ready.
Once again, thank for your insightful response.
-Teeboy12
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FPEPRO
Advanced Member
Posts: 58
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Post by FPEPRO on Aug 15, 2015 3:21:22 GMT
I would have to agree if the children are that old, I was assuming younger. It could definitely be disrupting. Also be aware, that 19 is the cutoff age for being considered children for family status. Past that age they are not counted. At least that is what is in my rule book they recently gave me. I was going to adopt my much younger sister and bring her with me, but was told bluntly no, because she was over 19.
As far as the cash-in-lieu option... I found it to be too low to really move on my own. Shipping isn't the real issue. You can ship a 40-ft sea cargo container from the US for under $7,000 assuming you pack it yourself (likely less from other countries). But, customs dues is the hidden cost often overlooked. Most people that take the cash just leave everything behind and buy new stuff upon arrival in KSA. The cash-in-lieu option is essentially half the amount that it would cost Aramco to move you themselves. And they have a large advantage during importation because of who they are. You as an individual have no advantage. I would caution that decision.
-CT
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