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Post by montecarlo on Mar 6, 2022 20:56:35 GMT
Dear All
My first post on Aramco Expats seeking advice from valuable members. Certainly a very useful forum with wealth of information.
I am expecting an offer from Saudi Aramco (it is a technical role, job le ending with Specialist). We are a family of 4 with two children, currently in year 6 and year 10 attending local schools in the UK
We are looking into the two obvious options i.e. relocating family to KSA or keep them settled here in the UK and I move on a bachelor status. Can someone please advise on the following in relation to two options?
Option 1 - Relocating with Family
1.1. My children are relatively senior in schooling. Is Year 11 or sixth form schooling of reasonable standard in Al-Khobar (I understand my daughter may be going to sixth form in British Grammar or BISAK).
1.2. I also I understand if children stay out of the UK for 3 years prior to university admission in the UK, they are classed as overseas students, thus significantly higher university fee overseas students. Is there a way to address this issue or any assistance from Aramco to absorb higher cost of university education in the UK?
Option 2 - Keeping family in the UK and moving on a single status
This is less preferred option but circumstances may require to follow this route.
2.1. Does bachelor accommodation allows the family to visit during school term breaks and is adequate for size of my family but for a very brief period?
2.2. Does Aramco allow frequent trips back to home country e.g. one week trip after every two months?
2.3. My son will be attending a local semi-private school from September. Will Aramco pay for schooling whilst family including my wife are here in the UK? I understand there is something EAP for children attending boarding, not sure if will be applicable to my situation in Option 2.
4. Will the salary package different for single or family status? It will cost more for two set ups, not sure if Aramco beefs up the salary of single status employee to address costs at two locations.
Some guidance on the above points will be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance
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Post by mcake on Mar 7, 2022 16:45:35 GMT
For 2.2, Technically you can, but you'll need to save 14 day leave for annual repatriation and 7 more day for interim leave (this is for Bachelor status). Also you need to think about your supervisor and work schedule  For 4, yes, the salary package will be different and you'll be asked whether you are Family or Bachelor status before getting the offer. However, you can change your status later on. |
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Post by montecarlo on Mar 7, 2022 19:10:14 GMT
That's great, thanks mcake. Are you allowed to change your status anytime or you need do it within a certain period of time e.g. within one year of start of employment? |
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swan
Senior Member
Posts: 209
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Post by swan on Mar 7, 2022 20:25:44 GMT
I wouldnt move your oldest for Y11. Both British schools do iGCSE, so there will be a big catch up as the 2 systems differ. For Y12, both schools are highly regarded, and get good results (but equally, are selective, so ought to do well!). Not sure what semi-private means in terms of school. I'd guess that you wouidnt see a big uplift moving to a Khobar British international school, but we left at Y6, so secondary is from reputation not experience.
The uni bit is a massive black hole of info. If you maintain a house in the UK, some uni's may treat you as a home student. But it seems to be on a case by case basis.
My understanding is you get school fee contribution if your wife is predominantly in kingdom (180 or 185 days in kingdom is the magic number I remember, this could have changed).
Not sure how the packages or accomodation works.
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Post by montecarlo on Mar 7, 2022 21:31:48 GMT
Thanks swan, very useful information. Yes, we are also thinking of delayed move of the rest of the family until DD finishes her GCSE here. By semi private I meant a local school which is technically a state school and strictly follows a stringent catchment area but they also charge fee, almost half of a normal private school. |
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arcticengineer
Senior Member
Posts: 180
Job Status: Accepted Aramco Job
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Post by arcticengineer on Mar 8, 2022 13:39:42 GMT
Not an expert but I'll try and help
2.1. Does bachelor accommodation allows the family to visit during school term breaks and is adequate for size of my family but for a very brief period?
If you are in true bachelor status housing it is an apartment and not big enough for family to visit. Some bachelors live in the family housing in houses designated for bachelors and it is large enough for your family to visit. You will have to check with your relocation advisor on details.
2.2. Does Aramco allow frequent trips back to home country e.g. one week trip after every two months?
In theory you can use your leave however you see fit. In practice it depends entirely on your supervisor. You have both EID's which are nearly week long holidays and splitting your remaining leave between two or three trips shouldn't be a problem. But don't assume you can take leave whenever you want and that your supervisor will be completely flexible.
2.3. My son will be attending a local semi-private school from September. Will Aramco pay for schooling whilst family including my wife are here in the UK? I understand there is something EAP for children attending boarding, not sure if will be applicable to my situation in Option 2.I
No, you only qualify for the education benefit if you are on family status with your wife living with you in kingdom. If she doesn't meet the 185 day in kingdom requirement, you will have to pay the company back for the education benefit. Don't even think of trying to skirt this requirement as employees have had to pay back education and travel benefits which is a sizeable chunk.
4. Will the salary package different for single or family status? It will cost more for two set ups, not sure if Aramco beefs up the salary of single status employee to address costs at two locations.
To my knowledge salary is identical, the only difference between bachelor and family status is you get additional travel days (paid leave) for bachelor status.
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Post by montecarlo on Mar 8, 2022 17:25:51 GMT
Thanks arcticengineer, really useful information and clarified quite a lot of points. Just a quick one, when you say bachelors living in the houses inside family housing, is it at discretion of Aramco to allocate such house or depends on certain criteria e.g. job grade, size of family visiting etc. |
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arcticengineer
Senior Member
Posts: 180
Job Status: Accepted Aramco Job
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Post by arcticengineer on Mar 21, 2022 17:12:43 GMT
I don't know what the criteria is for bachelors that live in the family housing. I just know that some family houses are classified as bachelor status. I have co-workers who are on bachelor status and living in family housing. I might be dealing with that personally in the near future but don't know any of the details. I know there are bachelors that live in larger houses than some families. It likely depends on what camp you are assigned to and the number of available houses. I certainly would prefer to retain my house if I convert to bachelor status. I don't know if grade codes provide an advantage in regards to that. I suggest contacting your relocation advisor with those questions, they should be able to find out the details for the camp you will be assigned to.
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Post by montecarlo on Apr 8, 2022 23:43:15 GMT
Thanks arcticengineer, mcake, swan for all your kind advice. I have finally accepted the offer on a family status. I will mobilise first with family joining later. We will be housed in Dhahran camp. I have been told by RA that it will be 3 bed most likely old built house. Has anyone living in Dhahran got an idea when one can apply for the new build houses after joining and if there are any criteria to qualify for these houses? Many thanks |
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Post by kyle1639 on Apr 9, 2022 12:31:36 GMT
Thanks arcticengineer, mcake, swan for all your kind advice. I have finally accepted the offer on a family status. I will mobilise first with family joining later. We will be housed in Dhahran camp. I have been told by RA that it will be 3 bed most likely old built house. Has anyone living in Dhahran got an idea when one can apply for the new build houses after joining and if there are any criteria to qualify for these houses? Many thanks Minimum of 2 years service. |
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Post by montecarlo on Apr 9, 2022 20:38:16 GMT
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2022 12:52:00 GMT
Thanks arcticengineer, mcake, swan for all your kind advice. I have finally accepted the offer on a family status. I will mobilise first with family joining later. We will be housed in Dhahran camp. I have been told by RA that it will be 3 bed most likely old built house. Has anyone living in Dhahran got an idea when one can apply for the new build houses after joining and if there are any criteria to qualify for these houses? Many thanks Minimum of 2 years service. Make sure you get the floor plan and agree on it in writing before coming over, some of the 3-bed townhouse type housing is pretty grotty and you may be put in a part of camp that is inconvenient. |
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Post by hopeful11 on Oct 30, 2022 14:49:57 GMT
Hi everyone. I am expecting an offer soon and we’re trying to decide on family vs bachelor status. The plan for now is to go alone while wife and our 2 kids stay back in the US because of the kids’ education. I would like for them to spend school holidays with me in Saudi. Is this a common arrangement amongst current employees? Can anyone advise on which status (bachelor or family) might be more financially beneficial to support this arrangement? We understand we may not qualify for EAP if wife is mostly in the US but wondering what else we might be losing by accepting family status over bachelor. Any thoughts/information will be appreciated. Thank you.
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jrs
Senior Member
Posts: 379
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Post by jrs on Oct 30, 2022 15:01:43 GMT
U consider remaining on Bach status for your entire employment w/ Aramco?
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Post by hopeful11 on Oct 30, 2022 15:11:34 GMT
U consider remaining on Bach status for your entire employment w/ Aramco? Only till the kids are done high school, which is in 6 years. |
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