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Post by hlling on Aug 11, 2023 13:20:18 GMT
Hi there,
I was wondering if anyone had the experience of having dependants visiting on tourist visa before Iqama/Dependent Visas were issued?
If so, can dependants stay at compound (assigned accomodation for the family) on toursit visa? Or they have to apply on a different visa if they plan to stay at the compond?
I am coming in 3 weeks from UK, so trying to figure out a few things.
Glad to discover this forum.
Thank you in advance for any support.
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arcticengineer
Senior Member
Posts: 179
Job Status: Accepted Aramco Job
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Post by arcticengineer on Aug 12, 2023 10:57:05 GMT
I haven't heard of anyone trying that. My only concern would be if they were in kingdom on a visitor visa while their Iqama was issued the system might really get confused, especially when they are leaving the kingdom. Once you have an Iqama, you need an entry/exist visa to leave and return to the kingdom, not so on a tourist visa.
If things get screwed up with the Iqama, your dependents can be banned from entry to the kingdom for 3 years, so you don't want to risk something going haywire with their status.
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 561
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Post by tamsin on Aug 12, 2023 11:44:27 GMT
I’ve known a few do it, the issues seem to be the difficulty sometimes in cancelling the tourist visa, it’s valid for a year and then leaving in order to process your entry visa. Some have had to jump through hoops for months to sort it. The RA are not being obstructive when they say they do not recommend it. Arctic is not wrong in saying things could end up even more complicated.
In the interim it’s difficult to get kids into school, no regular medical outside of urgent care etc without an iqama.
It does seem like a long time but it passes quickly with so much to do at both ends, plus it’s really not unusual in this industry to be apart for much longer.
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Post by darthmole on Aug 12, 2023 16:12:46 GMT
How about if we have two different passports, one for processing the visa and another for entry? (UK/EU)
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Post by BlueStaff on Aug 12, 2023 20:28:43 GMT
How about if we have two different passports, one for processing the visa and another for entry? (UK/EU) UK government website states that it is illegal to carry 2 passports in Saudi and that the 2nd may be confiscated if found. Other issue I can see is that your fingerprint is taken when you enter - this could cause you issues if there are different passports under the same print. Best advice is do not mess with the system. Saudi's in general (and especially Govt. Officials) are sticklers for following the rules - to the letter! As to the original poster - it's August, coming on September - the 2 worst months of the year for heat. Don't subject your family to that. Get your Iqama first and go thru the proper routes. |
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Post by hlling on Aug 13, 2023 7:39:16 GMT
I haven't heard of anyone trying that. My only concern would be if they were in kingdom on a visitor visa while their Iqama was issued the system might really get confused, especially when they are leaving the kingdom. Once you have an Iqama, you need an entry/exist visa to leave and return to the kingdom, not so on a tourist visa. If things get screwed up with the Iqama, your dependents can be banned from entry to the kingdom for 3 years, so you don't want to risk something going haywire with their status. Thank you, articengineer. We did not know that. We thought these two would be treated separately, thanks for sharing the information and we will definitely look into it. |
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Post by hlling on Aug 13, 2023 7:42:07 GMT
I’ve known a few do it, the issues seem to be the difficulty sometimes in cancelling the tourist visa, it’s valid for a year and then leaving in order to process your entry visa. Some have had to jump through hoops for months to sort it. The RA are not being obstructive when they say they do not recommend it. Arctic is not wrong in saying things could end up even more complicated. In the interim it’s difficult to get kids into school, no regular medical outside of urgent care etc without an iqama. It does seem like a long time but it passes quickly with so much to do at both ends, plus it’s really not unusual in this industry to be apart for much longer. Thank you, Tamsin. I definitely did not think RA is being obstructive, I just thought maybe there is a difference between tourist visa and family visit. I guess we should follow most of the suggestion and focus on getting the iqama/visa for the dependants instead, so we avoid potential delays due to complications. |
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Post by hlling on Aug 13, 2023 7:44:11 GMT
How about if we have two different passports, one for processing the visa and another for entry? (UK/EU) Sorry, darthmole, I do not have any information with regards to this. |
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 561
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Post by tamsin on Aug 13, 2023 15:17:19 GMT
I’ve known a few do it, the issues seem to be the difficulty sometimes in cancelling the tourist visa, it’s valid for a year and then leaving in order to process your entry visa. Some have had to jump through hoops for months to sort it. The RA are not being obstructive when they say they do not recommend it. Arctic is not wrong in saying things could end up even more complicated. In the interim it’s difficult to get kids into school, no regular medical outside of urgent care etc without an iqama. It does seem like a long time but it passes quickly with so much to do at both ends, plus it’s really not unusual in this industry to be apart for much longer. Thank you, Tamsin. I definitely did not think RA is being obstructive, I just thought maybe there is a difference between tourist visa and family visit. I guess we should follow most of the suggestion and focus on getting the iqama/visa for the dependants instead, so we avoid potential delays due to complications. It’s for the best and whilst we know it’s not obstructive, I do get the frustration, felt it. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2023 15:34:02 GMT
Don’t try to be clever or do things outside the norm when it comes to KSA or aramco rules. Just go down the regular route, it’ll only take a couple of months and your family will have no issues.
If you try to be clever with tourist visas etc then expect a world of pain when the computer says “no”. You will then be in limbo and believe me you’ll get very little sympathy from officials here.
Your family will have to go home in any case for the iqama visa application in your home country, so you’ll be footing double on air fares also.
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