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Post by kingsman on Mar 13, 2018 0:21:30 GMT
Approved and heading out to Saudi in April. Have a few questions for the hivemind:
1. What VPN should I use? Should I go ahead and secure a VPN account here in the states before leaving? Do I need a special router to use my VPN? Where can I get one?
2. What is the best way to get off on the right foot during the probationary period?
3. What are the best social opportunities on camp?
4. I have two desktop computers I would like to bring. Will this be a problem?
5. What’s the best option for staying in touch with folks at home? Does it cost extra to use Facetime?
6. How does vacation time for new hires work? I’ll arrive in April, is it allocated on a pro-rated basis, or do I have no time until 2019? Does unused time roll over?
7. Should I ship my car? Any idea what it costs or potential downsides?
8. If I were to get married at some point how would I go about bringing my spouse to Saudi? Does the company frown on its employees doing this?
9. Should I purchase an iPhone in the U.S. or wait until I get to Saudi?
10. Who should I talk to in Saudi about saving and investing? Are there good financial advisors on camp?
11. Are there any books that would provide a good insight into the life of a U.S. expat in Saudi?
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swan
Senior Member
Posts: 209
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Post by swan on Mar 13, 2018 4:12:45 GMT
1. Search this bit of the forum, there was a thread with good details not that long ago. Iirc, Express vpn came up - this doesn't need a special router, just installing on each item.
2. I think Starboyx wrote a long thread about this too. Have a look under his threads - and hope I've remembered correctly!
3. No idea, we don't live there!
4. Can't see why - assume you mean to ship? It's a lot of luggage space otherwise.
5. FaceTime I believe works at the moment. Skype has been working without a vpn recently. WhatsApp calling is also working. They are free, once you have paid for the internet, and potentially any vpn.
6. Pro rata, but might be hard to get in the early days. Don't know how the longer probation has affected this. Yes, there is a degree of carryover, with management approval.
7. Doubt it. Apparently the A.C. in most cars doesn't cope with gulf heat.
8. Fine, if gradecode/offer allows. I dont know how it works with Aramco accomadation, but I know others who have wives here on rolling visit visas.
9. We have bought phones here which work with our UK SIM cards. Be careful if you buy a Saudi iPhone- check it has FaceTime installed.
10. There are various UK advisors who visit Aramco. I'm sure there are US ones too!
11. There are a couple of books about Aramco, but anything published is likely to be out of date given the current rate of change! Starboy x has written extensively on this forum about his early experiences, and what to expect. There are also Facebook groups for Saudi Expats. Read around, but keep an open mind!
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Post by StarboyX on Mar 13, 2018 14:02:28 GMT
1. Search this bit of the forum, there was a thread with good details not that long ago. Iirc, Express vpn came up - this doesn't need a special router, just installing on each item. 2. I think Starboyx wrote a long thread about this too. Have a look under his threads - and hope I've remembered correctly! 3. No idea, we don't live there! 4. Can't see why - assume you mean to ship? It's a lot of luggage space otherwise. 5. FaceTime I believe works at the moment. Skype has been working without a vpn recently. WhatsApp calling is also working. They are free, once you have paid for the internet, and potentially any vpn. 6. Pro rata, but might be hard to get in the early days. Don't know how the longer probation has affected this. Yes, there is a degree of carryover, with management approval. 7. Doubt it. Apparently the A.C. in most cars doesn't cope with gulf heat. 8. Fine, if gradecode/offer allows. I dont know how it works with Aramco accomadation, but I know others who have wives here on rolling visit visas. 9. We have bought phones here which work with our UK SIM cards. Be careful if you buy a Saudi iPhone- check it has FaceTime installed. 10. There are various UK advisors who visit Aramco. I'm sure there are US ones too! 11. There are a couple of books about Aramco, but anything published is likely to be out of date given the current rate of change! Starboy x has written extensively on this forum about his early experiences, and what to expect. There are also Facebook groups for Saudi Expats. Read around, but keep an open mind! Thanks for the double shout out Swan :-) |
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Post by StarboyX on Mar 13, 2018 14:28:51 GMT
Approved and heading out to Saudi in April. Have a few questions for the hivemind: Welcome! A lot of what you've asked has been covered in previous posts, including mine, as Swan mentioned; here goes inline:
1. What VPN should I use? Should I go ahead and secure a VPN account here in the states before leaving? Do I need a special router to use my VPN? Where can I get one? ExpressVPN: buy 1 year subscription before you fly out. 2. What is the best way to get off on the right foot during the probationary period? Go with the flow, be open minded, realize you're in KSA, not in the USA.
Things are done differently here at a different pace.
Furthermore, you will need to integrate prayer time in your daily routine, ie) if you plan to grab lunch or run errands, ensuring it's not right before or during prayer time, as shops close.
As long you're courteous, respectful, and patient, you'll do just fine.
On camp, it's business as usual and everything is open.
If you're in Munirah, that's home base for a few months: make friends from orientation, network, and connect, b/c your initial support system is key for you and others; you'll all start to rely on each other and share experiences, good and bad.
It's possible that processes and procedures I went thru last March might have changed, or someone you meet in Munirah knows a better, proven way to get things done: pick up on those, as they're not in any handouts!
3. What are the best social opportunities on camp? The various gyms, restaurants, golf course, extra curricular activities, lessons, classes; etc. 4. I have two desktop computers I would like to bring. Will this be a problem? As checked luggage, if possible, no.
If you ship, either on your own or via Aramco, possibly yes: there are rules for what you can ship.
Also, all expats are allowed to ship any value of goods, once only, with no customs duties.
Generally, personal or used items: if you ship boxes of everything brand new in a box, that's different ...
If you do have a shipment come in, and are asked to pay duty, you're being hustled.
Read the fine print on Saudi MOI website and print it out when you pick up cargo.
Also, your PC's are 110 V; it's 220V here.
It will effect both the CPU and monitor b/c of the monitor Hhz (flashing rate).
5. What’s the best option for staying in touch with folks at home? Does it cost extra to use Facetime? WhatsApp voice and video now work w/o a VPN, for most; not for me though.
Not sure about Facetime, I use Apple.
6. How does vacation time for new hires work? I’ll arrive in April, is it allocated on a pro-rated basis, or do I have no time until 2019? Does unused time roll over? Pro-rated: 28 or 29 for the rest of 2018, of which in your first year, you can carry over upto 15 leave days to 2019.
After 1st year, I believe you can only carry over 7 days.
Also, generally speaking, and this is per unit/department and your manager/division head, until probation (6 months) is over, you most likely won't get leaves for more than 1 week.
However, you can bridge several days with the long weekends (get settled before you start making plans as your plans might conflict with work.)7. Should I ship my car? Any idea what it costs or potential downsides? No, honestly, don't bother. This was my 1st question I had with ASC and I really looked into, and in the end, it was just a waste of time: 1. You can only ship cars that 3 or 4 years old.2. You must get it retro fitted for the heat, as in, basically all your piping and tubes in the hood have to be done, along with extra heat shielding, and stronger compression unit for your AC.I looked into this as I wanted to bring my Acura from Toronto, more as they don't sell Acura in KSA (they do in Kuwait, however expats buying in Kuwait, registering in KSA is too complex ...), and when I calculated the costs, it just wasn't worth it.3. If you do, and you need parts/servicing, and they don't see your make/model here, it will be very, very expensive! 8. If I were to get married at some point how would I go about bringing my spouse to Saudi? Does the company frown on its employees doing this? No, you get married and switch to family status.
It's not frowned upon, as some people get divorced and some others send families back home, then they switch back to bachelor.
Note, single status is different from bachelor, and if you're not married, you're single.
9. Should I purchase an iPhone in the U.S. or wait until I get to Saudi? As Swan mentioned, if you want to use FaceTime, buy from US, as iPhones in Saudi don't come with Facetime and those that do will mention it as you pay more. 10. Who should I talk to in Saudi about saving and investing? Are there good financial advisors on camp? PM and I will give you details of my friend's wife in Houston: she's a financial planner and they spent over 5 years in KSA before moving back.11. Are there any books that would provide a good insight into the life of a U.S. expat in Saudi? Good question: go to Aramcoworld or other find links from the Aramco corporate website that contain additional links for publications.
All the best with your move! |
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Post by kingsman on Mar 14, 2018 13:33:54 GMT
Thanks for the great responses, guys. A few questions more...
1.) How often has the SAIP been awarded in the past few years? Not trying to be overly greedy, just curious as to whether it's been a regular thing or if it's something one can only occasionally expect.
2.) How difficult is it to get visitor's visas for family?
3.) If a family member dies in the states, do they allow you to return home for a funeral?
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Post by StarboyX on Mar 14, 2018 21:22:24 GMT
Thanks for the great responses, guys. A few questions more... 1.) How often has the SAIP been awarded in the past few years? Not trying to be overly greedy, just curious as to whether it's been a regular thing or if it's something one can only occasionally expect. 2.) How difficult is it to get visitor's visas for family? 3.) If a family member dies in the states, do they allow you to return home for a funeral? 1. I believe for a several years now, annually in March. It will be prorated in your 1st year (x months/12) and generally it's within 10% to 15% +/- of your monthly salary. 2. HR can assist with family visas. 3. First, you need to ensure you have a valid Iqama and Exit/Entry visa to leave Saudi. As for emergencies, you would have to discuss with your manager/division head directly. Given the situation of a death in your immediate family, I doubt it would be an issue, even on probation. On that note, any leaves taken while on probation, get added to the 6 months. |
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