Living And Working in Saudi Arabia

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Visit Visa Renewal A Click Away :)

Good news for expatriates in the Kingdom. Expats can now renew visit visas for relatives using the Passport Department’s Abshir system.

Maj. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya, the department’s director-general, will launch the new service next Monday, said Col. Mohammed Al-Saad, director of public relations.

He said the department would also launch another Abshir program to help Saudis renew their passports using the electronic system. “We have readied the two services after testing the systems,” he added.
The launch of the new services coincides with the department’s campaign to increase awareness on its electronic services.

Col. Al-Saad urged Saudis and expatriates to make use of its electronic services to save their time and energy and reduce congestion at the department’s offices across the country.

People can register with Abshir by visiting one of the department’s offices or using interactive machines available at banks (Al-Rajhi, Samba, Riyad, NCB, Al-Jazira and Albilad), as well as at malls and international airports.

Expatriates have applauded the new electronic services. “The registration of expats with the Interior Ministry’s electronic system simplified their residency procedures, including issuance of exit and re-entry visas,” said Omar Abubacker, a business consultant.

Source: http://www.arabnews.com/news/611861

Thursday, September 12, 2013

New digital passport service for Pakistanis

The Pakistan consulate has announced that it will now start providing its expatriates with machine-readable passports, to speed up services and reduce queuing outside its offices.

At a press conference at the consulate on Wednesday, Consul General Aftab Khokhar said a limited number of Pakistanis could start making their appointments for the new passports from next week.
A group of 50 people would be allowed to make appointments, on the phone or by visiting the consulate. He said the normal passport service where applicants have to queue would continue from 8 a.m. to 12 noon for about 200 people daily.
“We know that in the beginning we will face some hurdles so we are asking the community to cooperate with us. Through this service people will get relief from standing in lines for hours and it will also reduce the burden on the consulate,” he said.
He said the consulate plans to ensure the entire service can be done through appointments. “This will save people time and energy. The consulate is also introducing a courier service for applicants to get their passports,” he said.
In the beginning, applicants will be allowed to make appointments a week in advance, but this will be extended to two weeks and then a month in advance.
He said the new passports would be available in 36, 72 and 100 pages, which would cost SR155, SR280 and SR305 respectively. The fees for emergency passports would be SR255, SR455 and SR605. Applicants will receive their emergency passports between 15 and 20 days.

People can make their appointments on the toll free number 08111081412 or the consulate landline number 6692371 at extension 242. The consulate would soon have an online facility to make appointments, he said.

JEDDAH: FOUZIA KHAN
Published — Thursday 12 September 2013 - Last Update 12 September 2013 12:42 am
http://www.arabnews.com/news/464341

Monday, January 7, 2013

Nitaqat System in a Nutshell

What is the NITAQAT?

Arabian for “ranges,” the Nitaqat is an incentive program designed by the Ministry of Labor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for the nationalization of the private sector workplace. This is to answer the growing youth unemployment among Saudi citizens, which is higher than every country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) except Iraq. Ironically, KSA employment is dominated by foreigners in the ratio of nine in every ten employees. Although the private sector has been creating jobs, they do not go to Saudis.

The government’s goal is to succeed in creating 1.12 million new jobs for Saudi nationals by 2014, or 92 per cent of all new jobs created, as set out in the current development plan.

How does the National Policy work?

Under the new Nitaqat system, companies will be labelled as “blue or premium”, “green”, “yellow”, or “red” depending on the level of Saudi workers in them to comply with established workers. It assigns different nationalization rates according to the size and activity of companies, so smaller companies have smaller overall quota requirements than larger ones do.

This scheme will also level severe penalties on violators and offer incentives and quotas to firms meeting the quotas.

Nitaqat System in a Nutshell

NITAQAT (ZONES) SYSTEM In a Nutshell			· 41 classifications of employment sectors · 5 company classifications based on employee tally · 4 compliance-related and disciplinary zones
5 Company Classifications (based on total employee tally)
1-10 employees	EXEMPT from classifications				Nitaqat system does not apply
10-49 employees	SMALL classification				5-24% Nationalization required
50-499 employees	MEDIUM				6-27% Nationalization required
500-2999 employees	LARGE				7-30% Nationalization required
3000-more employees	BIG				8-30% Nationalization required
4 Compliance-Related and Disciplinary Zones
Blue zone		GREEN zone		YELLOW zone		RED zone
VIP category INCENTIVES: · Can hire anybody from any part of the world. · Easier visa processing · New visas with open professions through the electronic system. · Can change professions of their workers even to those that are restricted to Saudis, except jobs such as employment officials, receptionists, government liaison officials, treasury staff, and security officers. · Condition-free visa transfer: Can hire employees from Red zone and Yellow zones, and transfer their visas without the permission of their employers · Entitled to a one-year grace period if their municipal and professional licenses or commercial registrations were expired.		Excellent category INCENTIVES: · Can apply for new visas once every two months. · Can change their foreign workers’ profession except to those restricted to Saudis (i.e. Human resource managers; liaison officers; cashiers; receptionists; security guards) · A six-month respite after the expiry of their zakat & revenue certificates. · Can renew work permits of their employees. · Can recruit employees in red and yellow zones and transfer their visas without the approval of their employers.		Poor compliance Punitive Measures: · No new visas · Can get only one visa after the departure of two expatriates · Cannot transfer visas and change professions. · No work permit renewal for employees who have completed six years. · No control on workers who can switch over to premium zone companies *Grace Period:* 9 months to improve their status.		Non-compliance Punitive Measures: Banned from change of profession, transfer of visas, issuance of new visas and opening files for new branches. *Grace Period:* 6 months to improve their status.
Under the new policy, foreign workers employed by companies that are not in compliance are free to work for companies in compliance without acquiring permission from their employers at non-complying companies.

If unfortunately, you are in Red or Yellow Company and want to switch job you can search job, in addition to other popular recruitment sites, at http://www.redyellow.com.sa/jobshome.aspx

source : Saudi Gazette

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Saudi Arabia Official Websites, Government Offices and Ministries

List of Saudi Arabia's Official Websites, Government Offices, Ministries & Divisions.

SAUDI GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES:

http://www.commerce.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Commerce)
http://www.madmoc.com/ (Ministry of Commerce / Madinah Branch)
http://www.saudinf.com/ (Ministry of Information)
http://www.agrwat.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Agriculture and Water)
http://www.mofa.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
http://www.mohe.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Higher Education)
http://www.moe.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Education)
http://www.moj.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Justice)
http://www.moh.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Health)
http://www.mcs.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Civil Service)
http://www.moda.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Defense & Aviation, Private information Center)
http://www.haj.org.sa/ (Ministry of Haj)
http://www.mol.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs)
http://www.planning.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Planning)
http://www.mpwh.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Public Works and Housing)
http://www.al-islam.com/ (Ministry of Islamic Endowments and Guidance Affairs)
http://www.mopm.gov.sa/ (Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources)

SAUDI GOVERNMENT AGENCIES:

http://www.customs.gov.sa/ (Saudi Customs Department)
http://www.ports.gov.sa/ (Saudi Ports Authority)
http://www.saso.org.sa/ (Saudi Arabian Standards Organization)
http://www.gosi.com.sa/ (General Organization for Social Insurance, GOSI)
http://www.pca.gov.sa/ (Presidency of Civil Aviation)
http://www.gdp.gov.sa/ (The Directorate General for Passports)
http://www.shura.gov.sa/EnglishSite/EIndex.htm (Shura (consultative) Council)
http://www.mepa.gov.sa/eng_frame.htm (Meteorological & Environmental Protection Ad.)
http://www.swcc.gov.sa/default_e.htm (Saline Water Conversion Corporation)
http://www.sctsaudi.com/ (Supreme Commission for Tourism)
http://www.gab.gov.sa/ (The General Auditing Bureau)
http://www.haras.gov.sa/ (Saudi National Guard)
http://www.haras.gov.sa/ (Public Security, Ministry of Interior)
http://www.spa.gov.sa/ (Saudi Press Agency)
http://www.gpyw.gov.sa/ (General Presidency for Youth Welfare)
http://www.ncwcd.gov.sa/ (National Commission for wildlife Conservation and development)
http://www.sagia.gov.sa/ (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, SAGIA)
http://www.jic.gov.sa/ (Jeddah Industrial City)
http://www.tic.gov.sa/ (Technical Information Institute)
http://www.sama.gov.sa/ (Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency)
http://www.sfd.gov.sa/ (The Saudi Fund for Development)
http://www.isdb.org/english_docs/idb_home/ (The Islamic Development Bank)

SAUDI ARABIAN COMMERCIAL BANKS:

http://www.anb.com.sa/ (Arab National Bank)
http://www.alahli.com/ (The National Commercial Bank)
http://www.riyadhbank.com.sa/ (Riyadh Bank)
http://www.samba.com.sa/index.html (Saudi American Bank)
http://www.sabb.com.sa/ (The Saudi British Bank)
http://www.alfransi.com/ (Al Bank Al Saudi Al fransi)
http://www.baj.com.sa/ (Bank Al-Jazira)
http://www.shb.com.sa/ (The Saudi Hollandi Bank)
http://www.saib.com.sa/ (The Saudi Investment Bank)
http://www.alrajhibank.com.sa/ (Al Rajhi banking & Investment Corp)

SAUDI BUSINESS LINKS:

http://www.saudiembassy.net/links/top 150 Saudi companies Year 98-99.htm
http://www.saudichambers.org.sa/ (Council of Saudi Chambers)
http://www.riyadh-chamber.org/ (Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
http://www.sedc.org.sa/English/Index.htm (Saudi Export Development Center)
http://www.awo.net/commerce/arabcoc/hq.asp (Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Idustry)
http://www.hail-chamber.org.sa/ (Hail Chamber of Commerce & Idustry)
http://www.taifchamber.org.sa/ (Taif Chamber of Commerce & Idustry)
http://www.madcci.org.sa/ (Madina Chamber of Commerce & Industry)
http://www.chamber.org.sa/ (Eastern Province Camber of Commerce & Industry)
http://www.royalcommission.com/ (Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu)
http://www.saudioffset.com/ (Saudi Economic Offset Program)
http://www.aramco.com/ (Saudi Aramco)
http://www.sabic.com/ (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation)
http://www.saudiairlines.com/english/ (Saudi Arabian Airlines)
http://www.nscsa.com.sa/riyadh/ (The National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia)
http://www.us-saudi-business.org/ (U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council)
http://www.iccp.com/ (International Certificate of Conformity Program)
http://www.gulf-patent-office.org.sa / (Patent Office of GCC)

SAUDI OFFICES ABROAD:

http://www.saudiembassy.net/ (Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington, DC)
http://www.saudiembassy.org.uk/index2.htm ((Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, UK)
http://www.arabia-saudita.it/Ambasciata/index.html (Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Italy)
http://www.un.int/saudiarabia/ (The Permanent Mission of KSA to the United Nations, NY)
http://www.sacm.org/ (The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to the U.S.A.)
http://www.iad.org/ (Islamic Affairs Department, RESA, Washington, DC)
http://iiasa.org/ (Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences in America)
http://www.saudiacademy.net/ (The Saudi Islamic Academy, U.S.A.)
http://www.aramcoservices.com/ (Aramco Services Company, Houston)

SAUDI EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES:

http://www.kacst.edu.sa/ (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology)
http://www.northedu.gov.sa/ (General Directorate for Girls Education)
http://www.gpgedu.gov.sa/index_english.htm (General Presidency for Girls Education)
http://www.gotevot.edu.sa/ (General Org. for Tech. Edu. & Vocational Training)
http://www.imamu.edu.sa/ (Imam University)
http://www.uqu.edu.sa/english/index.htm (Umm Al-Qura University)
http://www.kfu.edu.sa/ (King Faisal University)
http://www.ksu.edu.sa/ (King Saud University)
http://www.nadwah1421.org.sa/ (King Khalid University)
http://www.iu.edu.sa/ (Islamic University)
http://www.kfupm.edu.sa/ (King Fahd University of petroleum & Minerals)
http://www.kaau.edu.sa/ (King Abdul Aziz University)
http://www.ipa.edu.sa/ (Institute of Public Administration)
http://www.kfnl.gov.sa/ (King Fahd National Library)

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Questions Answers - by Saudi Arabia Expatriates

Please find below number of common questions frequently asked (FAQs) by Saudi Arabia expatriates regarding various topics. These topics include exit re entry visa, family visa, dependent visa, iqama renewal, iqama lost, traffic violation, final exit and lots of other Saudi Arabia related questions.

1. I lost my exit‐re‐entry visa while traveling outside the Kingdom; how could I get a replacement for it?

Ø You are advised to visit this page (https://www.eserve.com.sa/VVSWeb/) and print a copy of your exit‐re‐entry visa so that you can return to Kingdom without obstacles.

2. My father, mother, wife and brother are coming to perform Umrah; are they allowed to stay with me for a while in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia Capital) where I reside?

Ø Regulations allow that in case you provide a permit from the Hajj and Umrah Administration to let them move outside the holy sites, and sign a pledge that they will leave the Kingdom before the visa expires.

3. Does the Saudi Department of Passports prevent my entry to Kingdom if I do not carry a no‐object letter?

Ø The no‐objection letter is related to the labour office procedures and not to the passports department; anyhow the absence of such a letter does not impeded entry procedures to Kingdom.

4. What are documents required to recruit a relative?

Ø The recruitment office is responsible for this issue not the Saudi Passports Department.

5. Is there any fines prescribed for delaying addition of a dependent born inside?

Ø SR 500 fine is prescribed for delaying addition of a kid born inside the Kingdom for more than three months.

Ø SR 1000 fine is prescribed for delaying addition of a kid born outside the Kingdom for more than one year.

6. I fled my sponsor and came back again; how can I deactivate the escape report knowing that the sponsor has no objection?

Ø Regulations do not allow deactivation of an escape report at the present time after it is made by the sponsor.

7. One of my dependents did not return on time due to study circumstances, how could his visa be extended?

Ø Extending visas from out side the Kingdom is through the website of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

8. My wife left the Kingdom on an exit‐re‐entry visa and gave birth in her country, how can I enter the kid into the Kingdom?

Ø The wife shall visit the Saudi embassy in her country and obtain entry visa for her kid. After the family arrives into the Kingdom you need to apply at the passports department to add the kid.

9. Is there any money burdens prescribed to add a wife coming from outside the Kingdom?

Ø When a wife gets entry visa to reside with her husband after paying recruitment fees, it means the requirements are met and no additional fees required.

10. My Iqama is expired and I have a release from my sponsor for service transfer; is it possible to complete sponsorship transfer and then renew my Iqama?

Ø Regulations stipulate that your Iqama must be valid in order to be able to transfer services to a new sponsor.

11. I lost a residence permit of one of my dependents, am I fined for that?

Ø You must report the loss within (24) hours to avoid financial penalty.

12. I married inside the Kingdom, am I only required to add my wife on my Iqama?

Ø Regulations stipulate that after marriage wife sponsorship must be transferred to her husband.

13. I wish to leave on a final visa (Final Exit Visa) but my passport is expired, what shall I do?

Ø You must renew your passport before applying for a final exit visa.

14. I have a traffic violation, can I obtain an exit‐re‐entry visa?

Ø Regulations stipulate that your traffic records should be clean from violations in order to get the required visa.

15. My wife left the Kingdom on an exit‐re‐entry visa for one year for study and she has (2 kids); can she return to kingdom without her kids?

Ø Regulations do not ban her return without her kids but such a procedure will deprive the kids of their residency rights in the Kingdom.

16. I am 25 years old and I am still a student; can I renew my residence permit and stay on my father sponsorship?

Ø The regulations stipulate that after the age of 25 years, sponsorship be transferred thus both renewal of residence permit and transfer of sponsorship are done at the same time.

17. I encountered special circumstances delayed my return on time; is there a way to extend my visa?

Ø Your sponsor can apply for visa extension for only one month through the website(https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/eDefault.asp) of the ministry of foreign affairs, provided that your residence permit is valid.

18. What are the documents required to obtain a visit visa for a family member?

Ø Obtaining a Saudi Visit Visa is a procedure of the Saudi Ministry of foreign affairs which you can access through its website. (https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/eDefault.asp)

19. Is there any fees prescribed for adding newborns inside or outside the Kingdom?

Ø SR 2000 is defined as fees for adding newborns outside the Kingdom. No fees for newborns inside the Kingdom.

20. My wife entered the kingdom on a visit visa; I did not find the border number in order to pay the fees and complete the extension procedures what shall I do?

Ø The border number is hand‐written near the visa starting with the digit (3). If it is not possible to find it just report to the visa extension division to get the number required for the extending the visa.

21. Is it allowed to change a visit visa into a residency visa?

Ø Regulations do not allow that.

22. How can I change my profession on Iqama (Resident Permit) ?

Ø It is possible to change profession on Iqama (Resident Permit) according to qualification certificates upon Saudi Labour office approval.

23. I have an emergency that requires my travel, can I have a travel visa outside the formal work‐time?

Ø The passports departments work around the clock; but services for special cases outside the official work‐time are assessed and provided if necessary.

24. I have a traffic violation registered in my name, can I get an exit‐re‐entry visa?

Ø You traffic records should be clean from violations in order to be able to get an exit‐re‐entry visa.

25. My family members are added in the Iqama of the mother, could the mother travel without them?

Ø Regulations stipulate that the dependents should travel with the mother, otherwise they should be separated with a special passport/ passports.

26. If my Iqama is damaged shall I apply for a new Iqama or stay until it is expires?

Ø You should apply for a new Iqama; if the damaged Iqama is nearly to expire and you want to renew it, regulations allow adding validity period remaining in the old Iqama to the validity of the new Iqama.

27. Am I allowed to obtain a final exit visa if there is a car registered in my name?

Ø You must sell any vehicle registered in your name before you could be able to obtain a final exit visa.

28. Can I return to Kingdom on a new visa before expiration of an exit‐re‐entry visa?

Ø Regulations do not allow you return to the Kingdom on a new visa as long as you have a valid exit‐re‐entry visa.

29. Is there any fines imposed for a loss of Iqama?

Ø SR 1000 fine is prescribed as fees for Iqama loss.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.moi.gov.sa

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Disclaimer: This information is intened only for helping the information seekers and is not accountable for any legal challenge.