How To Apply Safely For Jobs In Saudi Arabia
Do you happen to be a professional who is ambitious enough to work in the developsphere of Saudi Arabia with its booming job market? The Kingdom can provide unbelievable opportunities, but on the way to getting a position, the path taken can be complicated. The danger of a Saudi Arabia employment fraud is not a myth and a safe and verified method is necessary.
This step-by-step guide takes you through the process of the official Saudi Arabia work visa and provides you with the instruments to prevent the scam of jobs in Saudi Arabia working by showing you the difference between a legitimate offer and an offer of a recruitment fraud.
The Golden Rule
And this is the most valuable piece of advice that one can get in order to prevent job scams in Saudi Arabia: an honest employer or licensed agency will not demand the job applicant to pay a fee to apply to a job, have an interview, process a visa or get an offer letter.
Verify Your Employer
You should always authenticate the credibility of the Saudi employer before submitting a Confidential Information Request (such as a copy of your passport or bank details).
Verification Steps to be taken:
Check the Webpage of the Company and Registration: Enter the official site of the company. Are they physically located in Saudi Arabia with an address and phone number that would be verified? You will be able to verify their commercial registration by the Saudi government.
- Check Recruiter: Check the recruiter and the hiring manager on LinkedIn. Do they work for the company? Is their title appropriate to their power to employ you?
- Cross-Reference the Job: Dial the main line of the company (mentioned on their official site, not the one mentioned on the letter of offer) and call to confirm the job position and the name of the recruiter.
The Official Saudi Arabia Work Visa Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
The legal employment application results in open work visa procedure. Your sponsor is a legitimate Saudi employer and he initiates most of this process.
Responsibilities of the Employers (The Sponsorship).
The employer should have to seek permission with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
- Work Permit and Block Visa: The employer requests MHRSD to grant a Work Permit and block visa to the specific position.
- Contract Certification: Pursuant to a contract, signed by yourself and the sponsor a formal employment contract should be certified and stamped by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce following which MOFA has to stamp it.
The Final Goal
After having your visa stamped and entering Saudi Arabia, your employer has to make the final arrangements to give you your Iqama (Saudi Residence Permit), which is your legal-identification and residence document.
FAQs
What to do to confirm a job offer letter in Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has to certify an official offer letter. The Saudi Embassy in your country can be asked by you to verify the authenticity of the visa authorization number indicated in the offer
What documents are attested for a Saudi visa?
Your university degree/diploma and your Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) are the most important documents that you should be Attested to in order to secure a new job. They have to be stamped and signed by various authorities (local government, national ministry of foreign affairs, and Saudi cultural mission).
Can jobs be applied in Saudi Arabia via WhatsApp?
No, it is highly unsafe. In Saudi Arabia, formal video interviews and Official Email Domain are the legitimate means of professional communication of legitimate organizations, rather than unsolicited or primary contact on chat apps, such as WhatsApp or Telegram. This is a popular technique of Recruitment Fraud.
What is the Saudi work visa process time?
After submission of all the documents, the actual embassy submission to the visa stamping process usually takes 4-8 weeks. Any recruiter is a giant red flag when offering to grant him a visa in a couple of days.
Who is covering work visa and travelling to Saudi Arabia?
In accordance with the Saudi Labor Law, the employer (sponsor) usually covers all the expenses of the recruitment, your visa processing, and your original travels to the Kingdom.
Final Thoughts
Working in Saudi Arabia can be an excellent experience, and there can be no negotiations about safety. The speed of your application will not determine your success; but the fact that you are careful and check each step will. Put the official ones first, i.e., the MHRSD and MOFA, and keep in mind that the tiniest sure path to your Iqama is the one which is transparent, is professional and does not involve any unauthorized fees. You can keep your money and your name safe by relying on the certified procedure only.
Disclaimer
It should be noted that the sharing of this job information is not intended to be promotional in nature. The procedure of obtaining the official Saudi Arabia Work Visa and its conditions is prone to modifications. Always ensure that any information is checked on the official employer or government portal (i.e. the MHRSD or MOFA) before signing any contract or making any financial choices.