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Post by vidalbra on Apr 11, 2012 13:01:50 GMT
o All,
First of all I want to say the forum has been extremely helpful and I want to thank you all for making this decision and move easier/smoother - THANKS!
Now, I should be landing in Saudi within a month or so, wife will come in 2-3 months from now from Dubai. I'll be stationed in Dhahram, but residing in Abqaiq ;I.
I need to work out very basic stuff and I would like your help with up to date recommendations on the following
- Housing Set up
- Bank Account (In Saudi or offshore?)
- Cell Phone
- Internet
- Car Rental then later buying one - Sales Links?
- Any special tips to speed up "residence visa" processing?
- Anything else you might its relevant for a new comer.
I highly appreciate any help you can give. Thanks
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Post by vpainter on Apr 11, 2012 22:08:04 GMT
Thank you for using the forum. I'm glad it was helpful to you.
Your house will be set up with furnishings and bath towels, wash cloths, bedding: sheets, pillows, blankets. (LOL! When we arrived they were out of fitted sheets so we only received flat sheets) Kitchenware and linens. This will happen right before you arrive. There is a group who just goes around and sets up new hire houses. Any additional furniture you find you need you can go to furniture warehouse and order it and it'll be delivered.
Many people have a bank account on camp with minimal deposits and then the rest of their paycheck deposited in a bank account back home, or an off shore account. Do search the forum, there is quite a bit written on this topic.
If you have an unlocked cellphone, you can bring it if its triband or quadband. You can get a sim card in the AlMajama building on camp - pre paid or contract. Or you can buy a cell phone once you arrive. They are available in the commissary and in the local market.
Internet service is given once you have your Aramco ID and internet access. This can take a few days to 2 weeks, and during Ramadan or problem times a month. Dial up is free and is available in your home once you have access. DSL and in some areas fibro optic are available for a monthly fee. DSL is about $45/month.
Once you are here, you can lease a car immediately from Majestic, here on camp. Also once you have internet access you can access the classifieds at HR Online. A co-worker will allow you to look at it if you ask prior to this time. Also can go to Community Services and they can show it to you. On the forum there is posted a list of prices on autos. Its old, but hasn't changed that much. It will give you ball park figures.
Resident visa times cannot be rushed. At times the time is very short and at times long. Patience required - just like the hiring process.
Visit Community Services office and pick up lists of special interest groups and other info you may want. Prayer time schedule helps.
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Ram723
Advanced Member
Posts: 69
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Post by Ram723 on Oct 12, 2013 6:31:30 GMT
<<Update:
Thanks Buster and if it was you who had responded to a technology message of mine (maybe an earlier version of this one?) with some information, thanks for that as well.
Thanks to everyone on this forum for helping people with various questions. I bet a bunch of the concerns get recycled again and again, so a lot of the information on this forum must be helpful for many people.>>
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Buster
Senior Member
Posts: 106
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Post by Buster on Oct 13, 2013 16:22:17 GMT
Ram723,
Good luck
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