Ann
Member
Posts: 10
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Post by Ann on Mar 28, 2012 15:39:38 GMT
Hi,
I plan to invite my 13 and 14-yr old nephews from Canada for a visit. Their parents cannot get a holiday at that time, could both boys travel without an "adult" to KSA?
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Post by Hadia on Mar 29, 2012 3:16:23 GMT
I'm not sure about Canadian payroll families, but in the US IR manual it says this about visitors:
A. Visitors
With Company approval, and provided the Saudi Arab Government issues a
visitor's visa, relatives of employees may visit. Visitors must be:
• Employee's non-resident spouse
• Employee's non-resident child(ren)
• Employee’s parents
• Employee’s parents-in-law
So in the case of US payroll families, nephews wouldn't be in that category. Perhaps someone who has had family members visit KSA can add some comments.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Mar 30, 2012 11:12:02 GMT
It is notoriously difficult to get visitor's visas for anyone not related to you as per the guidelines quoted by Hadia.
I have heard people say that it is theoretically possible to get a visa for other categories of person but only if you pursue it on your own by going directly to the relevant government ministry rather than through Aramco.
And despite it being "theoretically possible," I do not know personally of anyone who has succeeded in getting visas for anyone other than immediate family members - though I do know of several that have tried and failed.
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Post by Overland on Mar 30, 2012 15:38:43 GMT
One other consideration. Traveling through Dammam airport is pretty intimi......... for anyone new to the process. I would not want to see my kids alone going through immigration. You will not be able to escort them until past immigration and after they obtain their luggage and pass it through security.
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Post by dgc00 on Mar 31, 2012 9:28:43 GMT
Agree completely with Overland. Best to go get them yourself (or meet them in Europe).
I have brought my nephew over - just connect the dots with paperwork (birth certs, marriage certs, etc.). I have tried Lewis Bridges and Dupont for visa processing (twice) - both were bad experiences. I have used MSQ visa enterprises once - it was a very good experience (and fast).
Good luck!
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Ann
Member
Posts: 10
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Post by Ann on Apr 1, 2012 3:58:54 GMT
Thanks everyone for your helpful comments.
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Post by Twofeets on Apr 1, 2012 9:34:28 GMT
Doh!
I had been told somewhere along the line it was parents, step parents, children, step children, brothers and sisters! So I guess siblings aren't included? I had hoped to fly my twin brother out...
sigh...
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Post by Carolina on Apr 1, 2012 16:29:18 GMT
Hi Twofeets
There should not be any problem in flying out your twin brother - did not know you are a twin he would be classed as a very close relative of course so please do go ahead and get him over - we are working on getting our daughter over as she needs to come here and rest and get well but still have to go through a lot of paperwork but it will be worth it that is for sure.
Carolina
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Post by dgc00 on Apr 2, 2012 9:16:18 GMT
Don't get the wrong impression - the paperwork (for Canadians) is not too difficult - yes, bothers/sister are OK - I have a friend that has even had an aunt visit. Submit paperwork to Saudi Aramco, it gets approved, then you have to have it endorsed (at consulate) through an agent in Canada (though they seem to treat it more like another approval rather than endorsement). Allow two months to be safe (for the entire process). Note that you do not need to stick to travel date supplied at start - once approved/endorsed; you just need to depart within (if I remember correctly) 3 months. Note also that the itinerary that you provide does not need to be purchased - only planned. Finally, Canadians only get single entry/exit (Americans get multiple). This means that they cannot go on side-trips while here. To get by this, we fly relatives into Bahrain - usually go back a little early to stay in Bahrain for a few nights or go on a short side trip. (note that you still use Dammam airport as port of entry on the application; not the causeway). Good luck!
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Post by azraeil on Apr 7, 2012 8:09:22 GMT
As mentioned by someone above, as long as you can connect the dots (i.e. birth certificates that says they are your sister's/brother's/ daughter/son and another document showing your relationship to your brother/sister (maybe your birth cert and their birth cert showing you share the same parents) then it should be okay. My friend brought in his sis-brother in-laws and their kids to Aramco 3 years ago and it was no problem.
Once you get the visa, it is valid for 90 days for entry to Saudi 9means that you have 90 days from the date the visa was stamped to enter) and then maybe 30-90 days to stay in Saudi etc.
Agree with Dammam Immigration, it will be intimi......... for the kids. I would suggest meeting them in Europe and bringing them in.
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Post by vpainter on Apr 11, 2012 21:33:48 GMT
I have friends who have brought in friends and it is a long process going to all the government offices 2 and 3 times for one thing, it works best if you have a Saudi friend to go with you.
It can be done and has been. Government Affairs Aramco office can let you know what needs to be done, then its up to you.
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