Expert Info

Posted by
on 16 Nov 2015
Hi I'm a British expat working for a Saudi subsidiary of a large British company. I'm new out here and having a few concerns i'm hoping people can put my mind at rest: 1. The company seems to be using almost entirely Business visas to employ British staff, as far as I was aware this is illegal? The response I get is ''everyone does it'' Am I legally employed? Would y contract revert to the UK company? Just how much of a risk is it? 2. There was no real safety induction; I'm on a compound that has an open gate policy where anyone and everyone can come in it would seem. Some weekends there have been in excess of 100 locals onsite vastly out numbering the residents with no vetting of who they are. With the current Foreign office guidance I can't understand the sense in opening the company and its employees to this risk. Is there anywhere I could get guidance on minimum expected security standards? 3. I've been told hospitals can refuse treatment without iqama is this correct? Sorry if this all appears a bit broad but what was agreed at interview stage is not what I've arrived to; I was planning to bring the family out but the facilities provided and the local company itself is not what was signed up for. I genuinely don't feel safe in the contract what with no iqama in sight; or in the compound provided. Any advice is greatly appreciated
Anonymous (not verified) on 20 Nov 2015 - 12:45
Hi Nimble

As you will see on our Visas for Saudi Arabia page, if a person intends to work in Saudi Arabia they are required to apply for a work visa, known as an Iqama. According to the Saudi Arabia Embassy page, business visas are only issued for Businessmen, CEOs, Managers and Companies Representatives. If one of these do not apply to you, then you are there on the wrong visa. 

If you are not on a Iqama visa, and you are working, you are working their illegally. 

In terms of healthcare, most employers offer their employees a healthcare package- is this untrue in your case?

Alex
 

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