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Post by volvofan on Sept 6, 2012 14:28:16 GMT
Hi All,
Tried doing a search but can't find anything on this topic within the forum.
I am bringing a small amount of US dollars with me to exchange to Saudi Riyals as my local exchange rate is a bit better for US Dollars then for Saudi Riyals.
However the US dollar notes that I got are marked with some small blue ink marks on the back of the note. A Google search later and I think these marks are something that is used to tell if the note is counterfeit. Never seen this on any other currency before though.
Question I have is will the notes be accepted by the money changers or banks in Dhahran? I do know some countries where they are very particular about the condition of their US dollar notes. Anyone has any experience with this or anything of the nature?
Also how do I enable private messaging? Can't see a on anywhere?
Thanks in advance!
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Post by vpainter on Sept 10, 2012 15:14:45 GMT
I cannot answer your money question. But you will not have PM capabilities until you are through the post approval process.
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Post by soverydeb on Sept 11, 2012 7:07:32 GMT
Those marks are strokes from a counterfeit pen. They actually have them here in Kingdom as well...they'll check the 500SR bills at grocery stores...if you wish to be on the safe side, see if you can swap out the marked bills for unmarked ones. But I wouldn't really have too much US dollars on me, just go to an ATM and draw out riyals. (After you inform your home bank what you'll be doing)
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Post by vpainter on Sept 11, 2012 13:34:59 GMT
You need to check the fees associated with using an ATM not from your bank internationally. We find it better to have checks from our home bank and write checks for the amount needed at the bank on camp.
Although their hours are getting less and less LOL! They don't even work an 8 hour day now.
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Post by flyingon15 on Sept 11, 2012 18:08:57 GMT
I agree that this is probably the best plan for avoiding fees. BUT, new hires should keep in mind that they might not be able to cash a check right away. I tried, and was told by the bank that I cannot cash a check until I get my iqama. I know other new hires who were turned away as well. Luckily I had an ATM card I could use. Based on my experiences, bringing some cash (I got riyals) is a smart idea.
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Post by bigbrass1111 on Sept 11, 2012 19:20:33 GMT
"I tried, and was told by the bank that I cannot cash a check until I get my iqama. "
I had no problems cashing a check the other day at the bank without the iqama. I just showed them the photocopy of the passport pages they gave me at the airport which had the entry stamp on it. On the other hand, I have had a difficult time getting a sim card for the cell phone without it.
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Post by Overland on Sept 11, 2012 20:17:47 GMT
You should be able to get a "pay as you go" SIM card without the Iqama. I purchased one loaded with minutes from STC in the Al Mujama building when I was there on a contractor visit (business visa, no igama) in January. You can load more minutes on your phone by buying an STC scratch card at nearly any convenience store or at the check out counter with the cigarettes at the Commissary. The latter is actually provided as a receipt with the access code on the receipt.
If you want a SIM with a monthly usage bill, you need the Igama. Pay in advance, no igama.
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Post by flyingon15 on Sept 12, 2012 2:30:07 GMT
Maybe it depends on which camp you're at? Or which person is helping you at the bank or the STC counter?  I'm glad that other people have had luck, but I know that for me personally, I was unable to get an STC sim card OR have a check cashed without an iqama. It says in the new hire manual (which you get at orientation upon arrival in KSA) that you can get both, but I was repeatedly refused, even with assistance from a supervisor. So if I was advising future arrivals, I would say to bring cash (riyals preferably) just in case. |
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Post by Hadia on Sept 12, 2012 4:07:38 GMT
FYI, the STC office in AlMujamma is currently closed for building renovations or whatnot. There is an STC office in AlMidra. It is a hot hike to get to it, both driving and then parking/walking in. I got a new SIM card there the other day and they definitely wanted the iqama. I am not a new arrival and had the iqama, so I'm not sure what they would have said if I didn't have it, but they definitely asked for it.
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Post by Overland on Sept 12, 2012 15:10:47 GMT
Interesting... Still wondering if you ask them straight out for a pre-paid SIM if the policy is different. Seems that I got a little push back for only having the temporary ID badge. Caused a bit of discussion among staff. But after a little persistence, they capitulated.
I was told that anything that could incur debt, such as a monthly balance due on a statement, would require the igama. Otherwise, they weren't that worried. But like everything else in KSA, policies may change.
Glad I got mine when I did. I will hit the ground with a working phone when I arrive. Nobody asks for any ID when I bought scratch cards at multiple locations in and out of camp. Other new arrivals may want to purchase a SIM card online prior to departure. The rates are around 0.21 USD a minute and appear a bit higher than what I was paying with my STC pre-paid. But it is a lot better than having nothing when you arrive!
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Post by vpainter on Sept 12, 2012 16:12:58 GMT
We cash checks with our Aramco ID only, we've never been asked for our iqama. I hand the teller my check and hand them my ID. I do not have an account with them, that does require an iqama to open.
I am sorry some are experiencing trouble. Ask for a supervisor for sure when you are having a problem, ask for his supervisor if still having a problem. Some one should know Aramco employees are allowed to cash checks with their Aramco ID.
Best of luck with settling in to everyone coming in.
Try to take all these experiences and put them in memory of stories to tell later on, you will one day laugh about all the things you go through getting started in and experiencing a new culture.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Sept 12, 2012 19:33:16 GMT
You definitely need an iqama to get a SIM card now. It was announced fairly recently (within the last month or two) that all SIM cards must be registered against an iqama (or national ID number for Saudis). Even to top up a pay-as-you-go SIM that you already own, you will have to enter your Iqama number each time.
A work colleague of mine had a pay-as-you-go SIM that had been bought for him by a friend. Since that person has since left the kingdom, he could not top up the SIM card any more and had to buy a new SIM using his own iqama.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Sept 12, 2012 19:43:46 GMT
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Post by Overland on Sept 12, 2012 20:56:01 GMT
GroveWander: Thanks for that updated information. I think that my minutes will have expired by the time I reach Dammam, so may find myself with inoperable equipment. My plan was to have a buddy in Dhahran buy some minutes and email me the access code number. Looks like I will need to ask him for his Igama number also!  Interesting that Mobily and others are offering SIM cards over the internet. I will look into that with caution. It might be possible as a foreign national to buy a SIM and minutes prior to arriving in KSA, but not permitted within the Kingdom. I sure don't want to find a loophole and then end up with an all expenses trip to that nice, drab, barb-wire topped concrete structure in Thuqba! |
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Post by Nonno on Sept 16, 2012 13:19:01 GMT
The last time I traveled to Switzerland I flew through Atlanta International (from Newark International, go figure....). I used the exchange bank in the Atlanta airport and got a fairly decent deal. Then, when returning to the US, I used the exchange bank in the Swiss airport and got raked over the coals. As I'm hoping to be flying out through Atlanta (if the visa's approved), I'll probably buy some Riyals here, too.
When I traveled through Mexico I had very little problems as most of the establishments wanted dollars over pesos. Still, the exchange rate was decent in both directions. And when I lived in England, we had an English bank as well as an American bank and used whichever was most expedient at the time of purchase.
The point is, you could win or lose depending on the exchange rate and the bank. Shop around so you can make the wisest decision and then proceed.
Nonno
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I'm glad that other people have had luck, but I know that for me personally, I was unable to get an STC sim card OR have a check cashed without an iqama. It says in the new hire manual (which you get at orientation upon arrival in KSA) that you can get both, but I was repeatedly refused, even with assistance from a supervisor. So if I was advising future arrivals, I would say to bring cash (riyals preferably) just in case.