New job offer timeline (already working in KSA)
Sept 9, 2021 19:40:17 GMT
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newind likes this
Post by tiktok on Sept 9, 2021 19:40:17 GMT
Here is my time line for a corporate office role at Aramco.
I am from the UK but I already work and live in Saudi Arabia with an Iqama. Therefore, this thread will be useful for anyone going through a similar process, especially since the law change that allows employees in KSA to change jobs without permission from their current sponsor.
I originally applied in March.
May 24: invited for interview by an Aramco recruiter by email
May 27: online live interview on HireVue with a panel
June 2: I was informed by email by the recruiter that they want to take the process forward and was asked to submit payslips
June 7: I provided all my payslips, QR application form, education certificates and passport copies. As I already work in KSA my education certificates are already attested by the Saudi embassy in the UK.
June 15: On following up, the recruiter told me that their role in the process is complete and that I will be contacted by another recruiter 'maybe in a month+ time' by email or phone.
September 7: I got a phone call where a recruiter said that I needed to provide a no objection certificate from my current employer in order to get the offer. I explained that under the recent change to the law I can move employers in KSA without permission so no need for this.
September 8: I got an email mentioning that they would like to speak to me about an offer and to give my availability.
September 9: I received the phone call and during the call the written offer was sent to me and I was talked through the details. After the call I signed and sent back the offer. Next steps are to await contact from the relocation adviser.
Update:
September 13: I received the email request to complete the BI form, health questionnaires and provide supporting documents. The BI from mentions a police clearance for employment in Gulf countries but my contact confirms when asked that I don't need to provide a KSA police clearance as I am already in the country.
September 15: I have sent back all of the requested documents. This is the BI form, health questionnaires plus copies of ideny documents, educations certificates (as I am already working in KSA I provided the Saudi MOFA attested copies that I have), university transcript, signed CV, UK national insurance card and marriage certificate.
Update:
As part of the BI over the past few weeks I had received a few requests from Credence for proof of current address in KSA, reference contacts for previous jobs and proof of previous job les (e.g. copies of payslips or employment contracts for previous jobs).
11 October: BI and medical has cleared (I didn't actually do a medical as I am in KSA so I guess the medical forms that I completed were enough). I have asked my the relocation advisor to clarify whether I can resign and to discuss the next steps.
Update
12 October: I have handed in my notice and asked to leave in a month.
Aramco have asked me to register on the Qiwa online portal which I have done. Am now awaiting the request from Aramco to transfer my iqama which I expect will be raised near to the date the I leave my current job.
Update
13 October: I informed Aramco of my expected final date of work.
2 November: I was phoned and told that Aramco had raised the iqama transfer request on the Qiwa portal. Turn outs the request was raised a few days ago but I didn't get a notification by phone or email.
Although I had originally requested that the request is raised just before I finish my current job Aramco went ahead and did it earlier. I understand that I have 10 days to accept and my employer then has a further 14 days to accept so this gives me enough time to finish my job and for my employer to then go online and accept the transfer.
The details entered in the portal didn't match my signed contract but I was told not to worry about that as this information is just entered to get the iqama transfer process and would be updated later. Aramco asked me to accept the request and my employer could then give their acceptance once I had finished with them. I accepted and my employer now has until 16 November to approve the request.
I have asked Aramco about the relocation process but was told my specific house in the Dhahran camp would only be requested once my employer had approved my iqama transfer and they couldn't discuss this until then. I was told that if a camp house is available it 'shouldn't take long' for it to be ready.
Update
November 11: My employer approved the iqama transfer on the Qiwa portal. The Aramco HR contact confirmed that they had now asked for the transfer process to be completed at their end.
In the days that followed I was asked to come to Dhahran to complete the joining process ans report for work as I was now on Aramco sponsorship.
I visited for 2 days, was given some temporary accommodation, met my team, had HR print the new iqamas printed for me and my family at the passport office, got my Aramco ID card and even managed to convince the housing team to let me view some available housing and choose one (viewing housing is not normally allowed as a house is normally allocated).
I headed back home and will now spend the coming days arranging the logistics to move my belongings and family to Dhahran.
Update
Whilst back in Jeddah I received the housing contract for the chosen house and signed it. I attended the one day virtual onboarding program on Skype.
December 5: I moved with my family to Dhahran. Here are some useful tips which will help you and your family settle quickly.
- Local hires already have a Saudi bank account so immediately contact the Payroll team to have your bank details updated so there is no delay in getting your first salary and the settling allowance (one month's base salary).
- I arranged my moving flights (claimed back as expenses later).
- I arranged the move of my belongings and car through a moving company who packed and unpacked it all for me (all more than covered by the cash in lieu moving allowance which is claimed on the SAP system). Aramco provide temporary furniture so you can keep this until your belongings arrive.
- I rented a car whilst I waited for my car to arrive. Ask a colleague to get you a temporary digital sticker each day for the car on the VMS system if you don't have immediately have access to your computer so you have no trouble moving around.
- Once you get your login details on the computer immediately download the mySecurity app so you can easily issue visitor passes on your phone. Essential for getting around the camp for your spouse (whilst they await the ID card) and any visitors who will visit you such as delivery companies.
- As a local hire, my family already had iqamas. My advice is to visit the passport office team in person to have them registered as your dependents on the SAP system immediately rather than relying on the online process as it will be delayed and not work. This is necessary for you to apply for the spouse ID card and get their medical registration at JHAH sorted. Without them being on the SAP system these processes cannot happen. Although ID card appointments require a wait you can just visit the ID office to get your permanent ID card, your spouse ID card and your permanent car sticker at any time once you have made the requests in the SAP system for these (i.e. no need to wait for the appointments).
- Internet. I already had a wireless router and SIM so just plugged it in. Otherwise just visit the onsite Stc or Mobily.
I am from the UK but I already work and live in Saudi Arabia with an Iqama. Therefore, this thread will be useful for anyone going through a similar process, especially since the law change that allows employees in KSA to change jobs without permission from their current sponsor.
I originally applied in March.
May 24: invited for interview by an Aramco recruiter by email
May 27: online live interview on HireVue with a panel
June 2: I was informed by email by the recruiter that they want to take the process forward and was asked to submit payslips
June 7: I provided all my payslips, QR application form, education certificates and passport copies. As I already work in KSA my education certificates are already attested by the Saudi embassy in the UK.
June 15: On following up, the recruiter told me that their role in the process is complete and that I will be contacted by another recruiter 'maybe in a month+ time' by email or phone.
September 7: I got a phone call where a recruiter said that I needed to provide a no objection certificate from my current employer in order to get the offer. I explained that under the recent change to the law I can move employers in KSA without permission so no need for this.
September 8: I got an email mentioning that they would like to speak to me about an offer and to give my availability.
September 9: I received the phone call and during the call the written offer was sent to me and I was talked through the details. After the call I signed and sent back the offer. Next steps are to await contact from the relocation adviser.
Update:
September 13: I received the email request to complete the BI form, health questionnaires and provide supporting documents. The BI from mentions a police clearance for employment in Gulf countries but my contact confirms when asked that I don't need to provide a KSA police clearance as I am already in the country.
September 15: I have sent back all of the requested documents. This is the BI form, health questionnaires plus copies of ideny documents, educations certificates (as I am already working in KSA I provided the Saudi MOFA attested copies that I have), university transcript, signed CV, UK national insurance card and marriage certificate.
Update:
As part of the BI over the past few weeks I had received a few requests from Credence for proof of current address in KSA, reference contacts for previous jobs and proof of previous job les (e.g. copies of payslips or employment contracts for previous jobs).
11 October: BI and medical has cleared (I didn't actually do a medical as I am in KSA so I guess the medical forms that I completed were enough). I have asked my the relocation advisor to clarify whether I can resign and to discuss the next steps.
Update
12 October: I have handed in my notice and asked to leave in a month.
Aramco have asked me to register on the Qiwa online portal which I have done. Am now awaiting the request from Aramco to transfer my iqama which I expect will be raised near to the date the I leave my current job.
Update
13 October: I informed Aramco of my expected final date of work.
2 November: I was phoned and told that Aramco had raised the iqama transfer request on the Qiwa portal. Turn outs the request was raised a few days ago but I didn't get a notification by phone or email.
Although I had originally requested that the request is raised just before I finish my current job Aramco went ahead and did it earlier. I understand that I have 10 days to accept and my employer then has a further 14 days to accept so this gives me enough time to finish my job and for my employer to then go online and accept the transfer.
The details entered in the portal didn't match my signed contract but I was told not to worry about that as this information is just entered to get the iqama transfer process and would be updated later. Aramco asked me to accept the request and my employer could then give their acceptance once I had finished with them. I accepted and my employer now has until 16 November to approve the request.
I have asked Aramco about the relocation process but was told my specific house in the Dhahran camp would only be requested once my employer had approved my iqama transfer and they couldn't discuss this until then. I was told that if a camp house is available it 'shouldn't take long' for it to be ready.
Update
November 11: My employer approved the iqama transfer on the Qiwa portal. The Aramco HR contact confirmed that they had now asked for the transfer process to be completed at their end.
In the days that followed I was asked to come to Dhahran to complete the joining process ans report for work as I was now on Aramco sponsorship.
I visited for 2 days, was given some temporary accommodation, met my team, had HR print the new iqamas printed for me and my family at the passport office, got my Aramco ID card and even managed to convince the housing team to let me view some available housing and choose one (viewing housing is not normally allowed as a house is normally allocated).
I headed back home and will now spend the coming days arranging the logistics to move my belongings and family to Dhahran.
Update
Whilst back in Jeddah I received the housing contract for the chosen house and signed it. I attended the one day virtual onboarding program on Skype.
December 5: I moved with my family to Dhahran. Here are some useful tips which will help you and your family settle quickly.
- Local hires already have a Saudi bank account so immediately contact the Payroll team to have your bank details updated so there is no delay in getting your first salary and the settling allowance (one month's base salary).
- I arranged my moving flights (claimed back as expenses later).
- I arranged the move of my belongings and car through a moving company who packed and unpacked it all for me (all more than covered by the cash in lieu moving allowance which is claimed on the SAP system). Aramco provide temporary furniture so you can keep this until your belongings arrive.
- I rented a car whilst I waited for my car to arrive. Ask a colleague to get you a temporary digital sticker each day for the car on the VMS system if you don't have immediately have access to your computer so you have no trouble moving around.
- Once you get your login details on the computer immediately download the mySecurity app so you can easily issue visitor passes on your phone. Essential for getting around the camp for your spouse (whilst they await the ID card) and any visitors who will visit you such as delivery companies.
- As a local hire, my family already had iqamas. My advice is to visit the passport office team in person to have them registered as your dependents on the SAP system immediately rather than relying on the online process as it will be delayed and not work. This is necessary for you to apply for the spouse ID card and get their medical registration at JHAH sorted. Without them being on the SAP system these processes cannot happen. Although ID card appointments require a wait you can just visit the ID office to get your permanent ID card, your spouse ID card and your permanent car sticker at any time once you have made the requests in the SAP system for these (i.e. no need to wait for the appointments).
- Internet. I already had a wireless router and SIM so just plugged it in. Otherwise just visit the onsite Stc or Mobily.