cgyguy
Advanced Member
Posts: 90
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Post by cgyguy on Jan 16, 2014 3:52:44 GMT
I wonder if degree attestation by KSA'a consulate/embassy in the country where the degree was obtained is enough to cover this new requirement. When I started to send all the paperwork, this wasn't part of the requirements but it changed in December and now I have to have it attested, not the end of the world but added a few weeks to my process.
Will the new hires with the degree attested by the country's Education ministry and KSA's consulate be enough to the Engineering Council? Can anyone ask HR or said Council please?
Thanks,
Cgyguy
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Post by halfwaythere on Jan 18, 2014 11:15:21 GMT
What if one's iqama expire while waiting for SCE registration? Pardon my ignorance but this is my first year in KSA and not really familiar with this issues that could happen after iqama expiration. Could we continue working on our jobs? Being out of country during december, I missed out on SCE issue and no surpise, the department did not care to reach out to employees to mention that- I recently applied for SCE registration and Iqama is expiring on Feb 7th.
Its unlikely that I will get my iqama renewed in time.
THanks
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imax
Member
Posts: 33
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Post by imax on Jan 24, 2014 3:01:19 GMT
I am a registered professional engineer (P.Eng.) in Ontario, Canada, with more than 10 years of post-graduation work experience, currently going through the hiring process. Does anyone know if the Saudi Council of Engineers have any international accord/agreement with the Engineers Canada, or similar regulatory bodies in the USA?
The SCE website lists the following requirements for a Professional Engineer (PE) grade:
C - Professional Engineer (PE):
Requirements:
1. Had spent five (5) years at least as an Associate Engineer.
2. A valid membership of the Council.
3. Obtainment of sixty (60) points of the qualifying points after getting the grade of the Associate Engineer.
4. Passing a professional interview.
5. Passing the professional engineer written examination. And for those who hold foreign professional grades pursuant to the international expertise, it is enough for them to undergo a professional interview.
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Post by David_and_Nita on Feb 5, 2014 2:11:11 GMT
Whoa what is this?
I understand the need to register etc HOWEVER this new rule requires registration, which takes 3 months, before the initial Iqama is approved?
So what happens to our families on 90-day visas if our Iqama is delayed, since they can't start the application for theirs until ours gets approved?
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Nemo
Member
Posts: 41
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Post by Nemo on Feb 8, 2014 5:10:16 GMT
This is a very interesting topic, does anyone know somebody that has gone through the test? Is it a SPE type of test? On another hand, what does it mean we -new hires- will not get Iqama until we get accreditation? Does it mean we can not work or take a short trip to Bahrain for example? I would really like to understand this in more detail. Thanks
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Post by GroveWanderer on Feb 8, 2014 5:48:35 GMT
My understanding, based on conversations with a couple of newly-hired engineers, is that they were told to allow up to 3 months to get the SCE registration processed.
On the other hand, another engineer who has been here over a year and applied when he first arrived (at a time when it seems not a lot of people were bothering) said it only took him two weeks to get his registration processed.
I am guessing that the current longer time frame may be caused by a backlog in applications since it was made mandatory and tied to iqama issuance/renewal. If that is the case, the processing time should drop as the backlog is cleared.
For new hires, you can still work without your iqama (people have always worked even during the normal 2-6 weeks that it used to take to process iqamas) but you would not be able to take a trip to Bahrain - at least, not on an exit/re-entry visa as you cannot get one of those until you have your iqama.
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Nemo
Member
Posts: 41
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Post by Nemo on Feb 8, 2014 15:49:32 GMT
Thanks for your reply GroveWanderer, I am trying to understand this process as it could be really challenging for a new hire have to move, new job, new life and getting ready to present a test that decides his future. Has anybody in this forum taken the test ? According to the SCE web site " 5. Passing the professional engineer written examination. And for those who hold foreign professional grades pursuant to the international expertise, it is enough for them to undergo a professional interview." Does that mean no test if you have certain level of experience according to the grade? |
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derekg
Senior Member
Posts: 107
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Post by derekg on Feb 8, 2014 16:08:45 GMT
The SCE registration is not onerous. It generally takes 2-8 weeks, depending on their workload. What you need is a verifiable engineering degree, the appropriate experience, and completing the application process. There is no reciprocity or requirement of registration in your home country. It is not a step to be stressed about since it can be completed during your 90 day probationary period; while it may delay trips out of they country, it is a good time to see what exists here!
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cgyguy
Advanced Member
Posts: 90
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Post by cgyguy on Feb 8, 2014 20:52:28 GMT
Anyone,
Is this a one time registration, or it needs to be renewed every time the iqama has to be renewed as well?
Thanks
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derekg
Senior Member
Posts: 107
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Post by derekg on Feb 9, 2014 4:40:36 GMT
The Saudi Council for Engineers (SCE) registration is a one-time process that must be renewed every three years, much like any other professional registration. Renewal will not require the full process since only dues are required; there is no indication that continuing education or practice reporting will be required at this time. Renewal should be a non-issue, but it is three years away and things may change between now and then.
The process is not difficult, but does take time and patience. If you are registered in another jurisdiction, this appears to help the process. The primary driver for this is to eliminate unqualified individuals from holding a professional iqama, which includes some privileges not afforded to other job les. Saudi Aramco vets all applicants well and it is unlikely problems will be encountered. The only significant components to the registration are:
(1) A four-year engineer degree from a recognized insution. This must be from a full-time program and not distance learning.
(2) The requisite experience for the category of application. Note that it only matters that you are registered and the registration category is not relevant.
(3) Additional information is required if registering at the consulting engineer level, some of which gets rather onerous.
Saudi Aramco is reimbursing employees for the fees and has the ability to expedite the applications to some extent, but it is best not to count on this unless there is an emergency. The effect of the SCE registration has been far greater on engineers here who found out at iqama renewal time, causing difficulties with travel plans.
The overall system is not something to be too concerned about; I assume that for new hire engineers this will be a standard protocol either in advance or upon arrival. The process seems to take about 2-4 weeks, with some taking more than 4 weeks.
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