The general trend here in Saudi Arabia, among the expatriates community, is to buy used cars. One will find very few expatriates who has purchased new cars. There are economical reasons as well as the sense of non-belonging in the expatriate community. Since there is no concept of getting citizenship in Saudi Arabia, one lives here as a by-passer or a traveller all his life. I have seen and met people here with 30-40 year of living in this country with no hopes of settling down in their home country because they think Saudi Arabia is their "home". Apart from the whole lot of people who buy used cars (I will be writing another blog on some interesting incidents I went thru with some people), this particular blog is for those people who intend to buy a new car from the car dealership (also called showroom). Here are the necessary documents one will need to buy a car.
Salary Statement - تعريف بالراتب من العمل (Ta’areef BilRaatab Minal A’mal)
Photo ID or Iqama copy - صورة بطاقة الأ حوال (Soorat Bitaqaat Al-Ah’waal)
Copy of the Home Phone Bill - صورة فاتورة هاتف المنزت (Soorat Faturaat hatef Al-Manzil)
Copy of the Home Rent Payment bill and/or Home Electricity Bill - صورة إثبات سكن (عقاري) أو صك المنزل - فاتورة كهرباء (fatoorat Kaharbai – Soorat Isbaat Sakan (Aqaari) Av Sal Al-Manzil)
Copy of your Driving License - صورة رخصة القيدة المفعول (SooratRukhsat Al-Qiadat Al-Mafo’ul)
I will add some more notes soon on this.
I hope this was helpful.
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
What is Saher?
This is part of educating the Saudi Arabian masses about road safety and the penalties for offenders and serious penalties for repeat offenders. I hope that this will be implemented all over efficiently. Because of some people reclessness, other's life have become miserable in such a beautiful country.
AUTOMATED TRAFFIC CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
What is Saher?
It is an automated traffic control and management system covers major cities in Saudi Arabia, and uses the technology of digital cameras network linked with the National Information Center of Ministry of Interior.
Element of the project:
A) Systems of the project:
1. Traffic Management System (TMS)
2. Auto Vehicle Location (AVL)
3. License Plate Recognition system (LPR)
4. Variable Message Sings (VMS)
5. Closed Circuit TV (CCTV)
6. Law Enforcement System (LES)
All these systems will be linked with the command and control centers located in eight cities Kingdom wide.
B) Command and control centers: Saher system project includes the establishment of Command and Control centers through which all systems to be linked and operated.
Traffic Management System (TMS): Highly sophisticated electronic system designed to improve movement of traffic automatically through automated control of traffic lights based on monitoring of traffic movement in all directions in each intersection, which called Green Wave.
Auto Vehicle Location system (AVL): An electronic system designed to track the location of Traffic police vehicles to direct them to deal quickly with certain traffic cases as well as to manage all field patrols.
License Plate Recognition system (LPR): An electronic system installed at the entrances and exits of cities in order to identify vehicles for statistical purposes, as well as for traffic wanted and stolen vehicles through license plates of these vehicles.
Variable Messaging Sings system (VMS): Network of electronic guidance signs for live broadcast designed to guide motorists to avoid traffic congestion on the roads.
Closed Circuit TV systems ( CCTV): Electronic system designed to monitor live traffic movement on the main roads.
Law Enforcement system (LES): Network of cameras, fixed and mobile radars to automatically, without
human intervention, monitor and control traffic violations, as well as issue traffic violation tickets and notifies
violators.
Circulation of traffic violation ticket:
Mechanism of monitoring of traffic violations
Over speeding
Accurate system where it photo shoots a clear picture of the vehicle's license plate while moving at high speed.
Running a red light
Will be continued to provide more info ....
AUTOMATED TRAFFIC CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
What is Saher?
It is an automated traffic control and management system covers major cities in Saudi Arabia, and uses the technology of digital cameras network linked with the National Information Center of Ministry of Interior.
Element of the project:
A) Systems of the project:
1. Traffic Management System (TMS)
2. Auto Vehicle Location (AVL)
3. License Plate Recognition system (LPR)
4. Variable Message Sings (VMS)
5. Closed Circuit TV (CCTV)
6. Law Enforcement System (LES)
All these systems will be linked with the command and control centers located in eight cities Kingdom wide.
B) Command and control centers: Saher system project includes the establishment of Command and Control centers through which all systems to be linked and operated.
Traffic Management System (TMS): Highly sophisticated electronic system designed to improve movement of traffic automatically through automated control of traffic lights based on monitoring of traffic movement in all directions in each intersection, which called Green Wave.
Auto Vehicle Location system (AVL): An electronic system designed to track the location of Traffic police vehicles to direct them to deal quickly with certain traffic cases as well as to manage all field patrols.
License Plate Recognition system (LPR): An electronic system installed at the entrances and exits of cities in order to identify vehicles for statistical purposes, as well as for traffic wanted and stolen vehicles through license plates of these vehicles.
Variable Messaging Sings system (VMS): Network of electronic guidance signs for live broadcast designed to guide motorists to avoid traffic congestion on the roads.
Closed Circuit TV systems ( CCTV): Electronic system designed to monitor live traffic movement on the main roads.
Law Enforcement system (LES): Network of cameras, fixed and mobile radars to automatically, without
human intervention, monitor and control traffic violations, as well as issue traffic violation tickets and notifies
violators.
Circulation of traffic violation ticket:
- The violated vehicle automatically monitored by cameras
- Photo of the violated vehicle license plate broadcasted (over speeding, running a red light and other traffic violations)
- The violation received at the Violation Processing Center
- Information about be owner of the vehicle obtained from the National Database at the National Information Center
- Violation ticket issued
- The violation ticket issued and mailed to the violator to his mailing address registered at the National Information Center at Ministry of Interior.
- Settlement of traffic tickets may be made by Sadad payment system through ATM.
- To improve level of traffic safety
- To utilize the latest and most advanced technology in the field of intelligent transportation (ITS) in order to create a safe traffic environment.
- To upgrading the existing road network.
- To enhance the public security by using the latest surveillance systems.
- To ensure strict, accurate and constant implementation of traffic regulations.
- Live monitor of traffic.
- Better management of traffic.
- Quick handling of traffic cases.
- Increase the efficiency of traffic patrols.
- Live monitor of traffic situations and accidents.
- Automated control of traffic violations.
Mechanism of monitoring of traffic violations
Over speeding
Accurate system where it photo shoots a clear picture of the vehicle's license plate while moving at high speed.
- Works around the clock.
- Can take photos of all violating vehicles in all tracks at the same time.
Running a red light
- Front camera captures a picture of the license plate and driver.
- Sensor to detect a running red light violation.
- Rear camera to captures the rear of the vehicle and the traffic light status.
- The violated vehicle automatically monitored by cameras
- Photo of the violated vehicle license plate broadcasted (over speeding, running a red light and other traffic violations)
- The violation received at the Violation Processing Center
- Information about be owner of the vehicle obtained from the National Database at the National Information Center
- Violation ticket issued
- The violation ticket issued and mailed to the violator to his mailing address registered at the National Information Center at Ministry of Interior.
- Settlement of traffic tickets may be made by Sadad payment system through ATM.
Will be continued to provide more info ....
Saturday, May 1, 2010
What to do if your STC SIM card gets locked in Saudi Arabia?
Many of us use STC (Saudi Telecom Company, the largest provider of telecom services in the Saudi Arabia) SIM card on our cell phones. A majority of Expats buy these cards off the “mobile markets” and not from the STC themselves for the simple fact of avoiding paperwork.
Whether you buy the SIM from the STC themselves or from the “mobile markets”, you get a card which has your PIN number on it. You insert the newly purchased SIM in the phone and recycle the card (did I say that. NO, the Expat community from South Asia does not believe in keeping the city clean. They just throw the stuff on the street in order to give poor Bangladeshis their job!!!!! One can bet with me on this) with the thought that you will remember the PIN from now onwards. Since we are from human origin and bound to forget, this is a little help guide for those simpletons.
When you forget your PIN or have mistyped PIN three times on your cell phone (remember, the cell phone asks for the PIN at the time you have rebooted it), it will get locked.
1) Go to nearest STC Customer Service office (not the STC Sales office point that you will find here and there).
2) Pick up a tab which has queued number. You will be called to the next available gentleman to help you.
3) The customer service representative will then provide you with something called as PUK code.
Note: A PUK code (Pin Unlock Key) is provided by the service provider such as STC, Mobily and Zain (in KSA) is required when you enter an incorrect PIN 3 times. After entering the wrong PIN 3 times, the card will be locked and you will need to get a PUK code from service provider to unlock it.
4) Remember, the customer service provider might ask you to provide your Iqama or passport in case he finds it suspicious and if the card is not registered in your name. In any case, it will be a good idea to register the card in your name at this point. So take your identification information with you.
5) Restart your phone and then it will prompt you to enter PUK code (remember if an incorrect PUK code is entered 5-10 times, the SIM card will permanently block (disable) itself)
This is all you have to do. I know it was very simple and looks like I made it look very hard. Huh …. Five steps to do for such a simple thing.
Anyway, I hope this will be helpful to somebody.
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Whether you buy the SIM from the STC themselves or from the “mobile markets”, you get a card which has your PIN number on it. You insert the newly purchased SIM in the phone and recycle the card (did I say that. NO, the Expat community from South Asia does not believe in keeping the city clean. They just throw the stuff on the street in order to give poor Bangladeshis their job!!!!! One can bet with me on this) with the thought that you will remember the PIN from now onwards. Since we are from human origin and bound to forget, this is a little help guide for those simpletons.
When you forget your PIN or have mistyped PIN three times on your cell phone (remember, the cell phone asks for the PIN at the time you have rebooted it), it will get locked.
1) Go to nearest STC Customer Service office (not the STC Sales office point that you will find here and there).
2) Pick up a tab which has queued number. You will be called to the next available gentleman to help you.
3) The customer service representative will then provide you with something called as PUK code.
Note: A PUK code (Pin Unlock Key) is provided by the service provider such as STC, Mobily and Zain (in KSA) is required when you enter an incorrect PIN 3 times. After entering the wrong PIN 3 times, the card will be locked and you will need to get a PUK code from service provider to unlock it.
4) Remember, the customer service provider might ask you to provide your Iqama or passport in case he finds it suspicious and if the card is not registered in your name. In any case, it will be a good idea to register the card in your name at this point. So take your identification information with you.
5) Restart your phone and then it will prompt you to enter PUK code (remember if an incorrect PUK code is entered 5-10 times, the SIM card will permanently block (disable) itself)
This is all you have to do. I know it was very simple and looks like I made it look very hard. Huh …. Five steps to do for such a simple thing.
Anyway, I hope this will be helpful to somebody.
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Sunday, April 25, 2010
Conversation at a Mechanic workshop - Survival Arabic Part 2
I bring again another part of the "Survival Arabic - part 2". It is part of my learning process. I'm still making an effort to make sentences out of these word. This again will follow the same format as given in first part Survival Arabic - Part 1
Lots of words here are slang (street language). I hopt this will help someone. Request to correct if you find somethign wrong here.
| English Word or Sentence | Arabic Word or Sentence | Transliteration (Roman Language) |
|---|---|---|
| What is the problem with my car? | أش مشكله سيارتي؟ | Aish Mushkilat Sayyara? |
| Car | سيارة | Sayyara |
| Battery | بطارية | Batariat |
| Engine | مكينا | Makina |
| Oil | زيت | Zait |
| Oil check | شيك الزيت | Check or Maghaz zait |
| Spark plug | بواجى كهرابا | Bawaji Kahraba |
| Wire | سلك | Silk |
| Ignition | مفتاح دقمو | Mufta Digmu |
| Wrench | مفتاح | Mufta' |
| Steering | دركسون | Draksoon |
| Rear View Mirror | ميارايا | Miraya |
| Rear View Mirror(Right) | ميارايايمين | Miraya Yameen |
| Rear View Mirror(Left) | ميارايايسار | Miraya Yasaar |
| Trunk | شنطه | Shanta |
| Tire | كفر | Kafar |
| Door | باب | Bab |
| Front Door | باب قدَام | Bab Ghiddam |
| Back Door | باب الورا | Bab Al Wara |
| Manual Gear | قير عادى | Gear Adi |
| Head Lights | نور قدَام | Noor Ghiddam |
| Push the Brake | دوس بريك | Doos Brake |
| Change Gear | غير قير | Ghayyar Gear |
| Front Seat | كرسى قدَام | Ghiddam Kursi |
| Rod | عسايا | A’saya |
| Car Ceiling | سقف سيَاره | Sayyara Sighaf |
| Look Up | شوف فوك | Shoof Fok |
| Look Down | شوف تحت | Shoof Tahat |
| Mat | مكيت | Muket |
| Check Engine Light | شوف مكينا نور | Shoof Makina Noor |
| Jack | جيك | Jack - Egyptian call it افريتا (Afrita) |
| Need oil change | غيَر زيت مكينا | Ghayyar Zait Makina |
| Clean my car | انا إبغا تنظيف سيَاره | Ana Ibgha Tanzeef Sayyara |
| Car Installment | اقساط سياَره | Iqsat Sayyara |
| Check tire balancing | ميزان كفرات | Shoof Kafar Meezan |
| Speedometer | عداد السرعة | A’ddaad Sayyara |
| My Car is heating up | ال سيَاره حراره | Ana Sayyara Harara |
| Tow my car | انا إبغا سيَاره إسحب | Ana Ibgha Sayyara Ishab |
Lots of words here are slang (street language). I hopt this will help someone. Request to correct if you find somethign wrong here.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Only and Only In Saudi Arabia !!!!!!
The Good Side
- The two most Holy places on Earth - Makkatul Mukarrama and Madinatul Munawwara
- The only country in the world with 100% Muslims
- The only country with Islamic Shariah
- The only country with highest number of Masaajid (Mosques) and people actually populating them. In all cities, almost every 40 steps, in every workplace, in every Bazaar/Mall/Shopping Strip/Airport/Bus Station/Railway Station on every Highway/Freeway
- The only country where a majority of Muslims actually perform Salaat (Namaaz)
- The only country where the national dress is Thobe (closest to the Sunnah) and is actually wore by the majority proudly
- The only country where a majority of women proudly wear Hijab (body veil) with Niqaab (face veil)
- The only country with majority of Philanthropist who do not seek name and fame
- The only country in the world who has helped most number of countries (rich as well as poor) with Aids/Cash without any strings attached or to get favor back
- The only country where Bazaars, Shops, Shopping malls, Restaurants, or any business is closed five (5) times in day for Salaat (Namaaz)
- The only country in the world in which more than 70,000 career-seeking Saudis are abroad seeking higher education in countries like US, UK, Australia, India …etc on the state expense.
- The only country in the world where an individual (a Saudi citizen only) can get free education from Kindergarten to PhD and still get stipend (up to 1000 SAR/month i.e. approximately $330 US or approximately Rs. 12,000 INR) from government for getting educated.
- The only country where approximately 8 million expatriates are working for the development of the country
- The fastest growing country with 13th on the list of most favorable places to invest money.
- The only country where Women cannot drive but the bright side of it, they have drivers who can drive them everywhere
The Bad Side
- The only country where the Royal family is supposed to have extended 60,000 family members with each bread winner getting monthly stipends of up to $15,000/month and they don’t have to work for it!
- The only country, in the world, with most number of accidents and most number of accident related deaths ):
- The only country with crazy drivers, youngsters and oldies alike, with most number reckless driving records and pride on doing the wrong thing
- The only country where crazy drivers drive at the speed of 220 KPH, will overtake from left side on the fast lane (being left hand drive i.e. from the left shoulder of the highway!!!!) and still think they are doing the right thing
- The only country, with maximum number of instances, where a local Saudi will hit the car of the expat and still expat will have to pay the fine because police being biased towards expats
- The only country where Slavery still exists in the name of employment and the authorities keep ignoring the facts
- The only country where highest number of house maids (male and female) are hired and many abused without getting reported to authorities
Maybe I will add more interesting facts and some other information not so famous about Saudi Arabia sometime later ...
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- The two most Holy places on Earth - Makkatul Mukarrama and Madinatul Munawwara
- The only country in the world with 100% Muslims
- The only country with Islamic Shariah
- The only country with highest number of Masaajid (Mosques) and people actually populating them. In all cities, almost every 40 steps, in every workplace, in every Bazaar/Mall/Shopping Strip/Airport/Bus Station/Railway Station on every Highway/Freeway
- The only country where a majority of Muslims actually perform Salaat (Namaaz)
- The only country where the national dress is Thobe (closest to the Sunnah) and is actually wore by the majority proudly
- The only country where a majority of women proudly wear Hijab (body veil) with Niqaab (face veil)
- The only country with majority of Philanthropist who do not seek name and fame
- The only country in the world who has helped most number of countries (rich as well as poor) with Aids/Cash without any strings attached or to get favor back
- The only country where Bazaars, Shops, Shopping malls, Restaurants, or any business is closed five (5) times in day for Salaat (Namaaz)
- The only country in the world in which more than 70,000 career-seeking Saudis are abroad seeking higher education in countries like US, UK, Australia, India …etc on the state expense.
- The only country in the world where an individual (a Saudi citizen only) can get free education from Kindergarten to PhD and still get stipend (up to 1000 SAR/month i.e. approximately $330 US or approximately Rs. 12,000 INR) from government for getting educated.
- The only country where approximately 8 million expatriates are working for the development of the country
- The fastest growing country with 13th on the list of most favorable places to invest money.
- The only country where Women cannot drive but the bright side of it, they have drivers who can drive them everywhere
The Bad Side
- The only country where the Royal family is supposed to have extended 60,000 family members with each bread winner getting monthly stipends of up to $15,000/month and they don’t have to work for it!
- The only country, in the world, with most number of accidents and most number of accident related deaths ):
- The only country with crazy drivers, youngsters and oldies alike, with most number reckless driving records and pride on doing the wrong thing
- The only country where crazy drivers drive at the speed of 220 KPH, will overtake from left side on the fast lane (being left hand drive i.e. from the left shoulder of the highway!!!!) and still think they are doing the right thing
- The only country, with maximum number of instances, where a local Saudi will hit the car of the expat and still expat will have to pay the fine because police being biased towards expats
- The only country where Slavery still exists in the name of employment and the authorities keep ignoring the facts
- The only country where highest number of house maids (male and female) are hired and many abused without getting reported to authorities
Maybe I will add more interesting facts and some other information not so famous about Saudi Arabia sometime later ...
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Sunday, April 11, 2010
Introducing e-Traffic System - First Stage to Start Tomorrow (Monday – 04/12/2010) - نظام ساهر الإكتروني يبدأ
Link: Advanced traffic control system within months
Highlights of this news article
- The Saudi Traffic Police Directorate is introducing “Saher” system, which uses digital camera network technology, which will be linked to the National Information Center (NIC), to control traffic violations
- The drivers who are speeding over the posted limit or even who are passing red lights, will be on camera (smile please :), you’re on camera) and will be sent to the NIC, who in turn will get the information of the driver from the number plate of the car and will send the right amount of ticket fine as per the offense.
- Cameras will be installed on all major intersection throughout the Kingdom.
- If this is done as I saw in UAE, then the fine amount will be posted to the Iqama and the offender will not be able to renew his Iqama or go out of the country without paying fine. Same with the Saudi ID’s, citizens will not be able to renew their respective documents without paying the fine amount.
Benefits
- This will be a good initiative as it will help the cops as sometimes I believe they are biased towards expatriates community and if some influential Saudi (may be royal family or from other influential people) does wrong, they cannot give him ticket because he can use his “Wasta” (connections) to waive the ticket as well as get the cop in trouble.
- I have seen this being implemented in UAE. Even local Emirati people are not spared and even the members of the influential families except members of royal family, who under the UAE laws are immune to prosecution, are not spared.
Highlights of this news article
- The Saudi Traffic Police Directorate is introducing “Saher” system, which uses digital camera network technology, which will be linked to the National Information Center (NIC), to control traffic violations
- The drivers who are speeding over the posted limit or even who are passing red lights, will be on camera (smile please :), you’re on camera) and will be sent to the NIC, who in turn will get the information of the driver from the number plate of the car and will send the right amount of ticket fine as per the offense.
- Cameras will be installed on all major intersection throughout the Kingdom.
- If this is done as I saw in UAE, then the fine amount will be posted to the Iqama and the offender will not be able to renew his Iqama or go out of the country without paying fine. Same with the Saudi ID’s, citizens will not be able to renew their respective documents without paying the fine amount.
Benefits
- This will be a good initiative as it will help the cops as sometimes I believe they are biased towards expatriates community and if some influential Saudi (may be royal family or from other influential people) does wrong, they cannot give him ticket because he can use his “Wasta” (connections) to waive the ticket as well as get the cop in trouble.
- I have seen this being implemented in UAE. Even local Emirati people are not spared and even the members of the influential families except members of royal family, who under the UAE laws are immune to prosecution, are not spared.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
New Requirements for family Visa in Saudi Arabia
There are some changes adopted by the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia for granting the family visit visa. The need to furnish the profession on the visa is relaxed. This new change has definitely given hopes to so many expats here who are on the so-called “Independent visa” (South Asian community calls it Azaad visa – “Freedom visa”). These individuals might be engineers, doctors, software developers and what not, but due to circumstances not in their control has purchased these visas from illegal sources to come to Saudi Arabia in the hope of earning bread for their loved ones.
More than 99% times, these visas are labor visa (تأشيرة العمل) has a labor profession on it like “Plumber - سمكري”, “Electrician – كهربائي”, “House Cleaner - العاملة في المنزل” … etc. These visas are sold by the Saudi sponsors to some agents in third world countries and they in turn get hold of the vulnerable. Individuals from these countries pay heavy amounts like 10, 12 and in some cases about 20 grands even in Saudi Riyal to get these visas hoping that they will later get transfer to another visa and they can make enough money from it.
Having said the problem at hand and to resolve the misuse of this industry, the Foreign Ministry and the Recruitment Office has relaxed the requirement for bringing the families here. It is a big relieve for the expat community as earlier only white collar jobs only and to some extent blue collar jobs were allowed to apply for family visa.
Link: Family visa now linked with salary
Just today I received this news article in Arab News negating the earlier news article about family visa: No change in family visa rules: Official. It is indeed sad news.
So my intention was to bring to the attention of the readers the needed documents to apply for the family visa:
These requirements are for those applying for Family visa here in Saudi Arabia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs either in Riyadh, Dammam or whichever office is closer to your city.
1) Visa Application form
• Most probably this form will be with your Delegated Representative (Mandoob - مندوب) for Ministry work at your employer’s office. He will fill this out for you. This form called as Family visiting visa request (Talab Ziarat A’aliat - طلب زيارة عائلية ) can be filled out online or can be picked from the Istiqdam office (تقديم المكتب).
• The form looks like this if picked up from the office of Istiqdam (تقديم المكتب)
2) Salary and Occupation Statement (also known as Introduction Letter) from your employer
• This needs to be stamped by Chamber of Commerce (will cost you SAR 25 for ratification).
• This letter should be in Arabic. If your employer gives you an English version, then you will have to either request this letter in Arabic or get it translated in Arabic (translation service will cost you somewhere between SAR 25 to SAR 60)
3) Iqama photo copy
• It is a good idea to carry your original with you or your Delegated Representative (Mandoob - مندوب) will carry it for you. They have asked for original one at the counter at the Istiqdam office (تقديم المكتب).
4) Passport photo copy
• It is a good idea to carry your original with you or your Delegated Representative (Mandoob - مندوب) will carry it for you). They have asked for original one at the counter at the Istiqdam office (تقديم المكتب).
5) Original Degree/Academic Certificates
• For South Asian countries, they will ask for originals
• For westerners copies might be ok but will have to provide Degree verification certificate (a document that shows that the certificates are authentic and from recognized institution)
6) Marriage certificate
• If the certificate is in other languages other than Arabic, then you will have get it translated (translation service will cost you somewhere between SAR 25 to SAR 60).
• Will have to be stamped by Chamber of Commerce (another SAR 25).
• Spouse’s name has to be on the Visa application form as well.
7) Child/Children’s Birth Certificate
• These certificates again have to be translated (Another SAR 25 to SAR 60 X the number of children) if in other languages other than Arabic.
• Children’s name has to be listed on the Visa Application form and the relationship has to be shown as well.
8) Family Visa Fee
• If your employer/sponsor is not paying for the family visa, check your contract that you signed with your employer, because if it is not paid for then you will have to pay for it.
• The fees is 2050 SAR
Take these documents to the Office of Istiqdam (تقديم المكتب), take a number and you will be called to the counter. The gentleman at the counter will make sure the documents are in order and will give you his approval to take these documents to another window. At this counter, you will find a General Supervisor is sitting and this gentleman will stamp your papers.
Thereafter you will come back to the original counter and submit the documents here. This guy will give you the visa paper which is also called as “Yellow Slip”. This is the final step (in the kingdom) for you to get your family here. The gentleman at the counter will confirm with you the city and country where you want this information to be sent. This visa information will be sent to the nearest Embassy in the country which you have specified. The “Yellow Slip” looks like this
1. A passport valid for at least six (6) months, with at least two (2) clear visa pages adjacent to each other.
* Remember that there is a possibility of being rejected if the passport is not valid for more than six months.
2. Applicant’s copy of the Iqama (expat I-card). You probably will have to email the scanned copy or mail it along with the “Yellow Slip”.
3. Recent passport size color photograph with a white background; the photograph must be a full-face view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly. Side or angled views are NOT accepted.
4. Copy of your marriage certificate.
5. A proof of kinship when accompanied by a family member (required only when you plan to bring your in-laws to prove the relationship between your wife and her parent(s) - this is to ensure that the visitor is really your in-law).
6. Required for non-western applicant: Printout of your last 3 months' bank statement.
7. Required for all applicants: A letter in English addressed to the Saudi Embassy / Consulate of your home country stating that you will be present to receive your guest.
8. Salary statement or Introduction letter in Arabic from your employer giving details about your salary. (You will have to send it along the other documents with “Yellow Slip”)
9. Application Form fully completed and signed by the applicant. Application looks like this. There might be little variation in this form as required by your country.
I might have to edit this post as I get to know more inofrmation. Comments and corrections are most welcome.
More than 99% times, these visas are labor visa (تأشيرة العمل) has a labor profession on it like “Plumber - سمكري”, “Electrician – كهربائي”, “House Cleaner - العاملة في المنزل” … etc. These visas are sold by the Saudi sponsors to some agents in third world countries and they in turn get hold of the vulnerable. Individuals from these countries pay heavy amounts like 10, 12 and in some cases about 20 grands even in Saudi Riyal to get these visas hoping that they will later get transfer to another visa and they can make enough money from it.
Having said the problem at hand and to resolve the misuse of this industry, the Foreign Ministry and the Recruitment Office has relaxed the requirement for bringing the families here. It is a big relieve for the expat community as earlier only white collar jobs only and to some extent blue collar jobs were allowed to apply for family visa.
Link: Family visa now linked with salary
Just today I received this news article in Arab News negating the earlier news article about family visa: No change in family visa rules: Official. It is indeed sad news.
So my intention was to bring to the attention of the readers the needed documents to apply for the family visa:
These requirements are for those applying for Family visa here in Saudi Arabia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs either in Riyadh, Dammam or whichever office is closer to your city.
1) Visa Application form
• Most probably this form will be with your Delegated Representative (Mandoob - مندوب) for Ministry work at your employer’s office. He will fill this out for you. This form called as Family visiting visa request (Talab Ziarat A’aliat - طلب زيارة عائلية ) can be filled out online or can be picked from the Istiqdam office (تقديم المكتب).
• The form looks like this if picked up from the office of Istiqdam (تقديم المكتب)
Fig 01 – Visa Application Form
• The name of your family member AND the name of the sponsor i.e. Applicant should be filled ONLY in English.
• All the remaining data are to be filled in Arabic. Most probably, your Mandoob will help you out on this. Remember, you as an applicant is the sponsor for your family, and not your employer.
• In case more than one family member (like children and accomplice) are visiting you and are coming by the same flight, enter their names in the same form, otherwise use separate forms.
• If filling up online, then make sure you print out the final copy with confirmation and submit it with other documents within 3 days.
2) Salary and Occupation Statement (also known as Introduction Letter) from your employer
• This needs to be stamped by Chamber of Commerce (will cost you SAR 25 for ratification).
• This letter should be in Arabic. If your employer gives you an English version, then you will have to either request this letter in Arabic or get it translated in Arabic (translation service will cost you somewhere between SAR 25 to SAR 60)
3) Iqama photo copy
• It is a good idea to carry your original with you or your Delegated Representative (Mandoob - مندوب) will carry it for you. They have asked for original one at the counter at the Istiqdam office (تقديم المكتب).
4) Passport photo copy
• It is a good idea to carry your original with you or your Delegated Representative (Mandoob - مندوب) will carry it for you). They have asked for original one at the counter at the Istiqdam office (تقديم المكتب).
5) Original Degree/Academic Certificates
• For South Asian countries, they will ask for originals
• For westerners copies might be ok but will have to provide Degree verification certificate (a document that shows that the certificates are authentic and from recognized institution)
6) Marriage certificate
• If the certificate is in other languages other than Arabic, then you will have get it translated (translation service will cost you somewhere between SAR 25 to SAR 60).
• Will have to be stamped by Chamber of Commerce (another SAR 25).
• Spouse’s name has to be on the Visa application form as well.
7) Child/Children’s Birth Certificate
• These certificates again have to be translated (Another SAR 25 to SAR 60 X the number of children) if in other languages other than Arabic.
• Children’s name has to be listed on the Visa Application form and the relationship has to be shown as well.
8) Family Visa Fee
• If your employer/sponsor is not paying for the family visa, check your contract that you signed with your employer, because if it is not paid for then you will have to pay for it.
• The fees is 2050 SAR
Take these documents to the Office of Istiqdam (تقديم المكتب), take a number and you will be called to the counter. The gentleman at the counter will make sure the documents are in order and will give you his approval to take these documents to another window. At this counter, you will find a General Supervisor is sitting and this gentleman will stamp your papers.
Thereafter you will come back to the original counter and submit the documents here. This guy will give you the visa paper which is also called as “Yellow Slip”. This is the final step (in the kingdom) for you to get your family here. The gentleman at the counter will confirm with you the city and country where you want this information to be sent. This visa information will be sent to the nearest Embassy in the country which you have specified. The “Yellow Slip” looks like this
Fig 02 - Yellow Slip
It is good idea to make a copy of this immediately and keep it with you as you will have to send this your family in your country of origin. Make sure to send this document in a registered mail.
Preparation for your family
These are the requirements for your wife in their country of origin to provide to the Saudi Embassy for the embassy to stamp the family visa on her and kids passport.
1. A passport valid for at least six (6) months, with at least two (2) clear visa pages adjacent to each other.
* Remember that there is a possibility of being rejected if the passport is not valid for more than six months.
2. Applicant’s copy of the Iqama (expat I-card). You probably will have to email the scanned copy or mail it along with the “Yellow Slip”.
3. Recent passport size color photograph with a white background; the photograph must be a full-face view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly. Side or angled views are NOT accepted.
4. Copy of your marriage certificate.
5. A proof of kinship when accompanied by a family member (required only when you plan to bring your in-laws to prove the relationship between your wife and her parent(s) - this is to ensure that the visitor is really your in-law).
6. Required for non-western applicant: Printout of your last 3 months' bank statement.
7. Required for all applicants: A letter in English addressed to the Saudi Embassy / Consulate of your home country stating that you will be present to receive your guest.
8. Salary statement or Introduction letter in Arabic from your employer giving details about your salary. (You will have to send it along the other documents with “Yellow Slip”)
9. Application Form fully completed and signed by the applicant. Application looks like this. There might be little variation in this form as required by your country.
Fig 03 – Saudi Arabia Family Visa Application
10. Required for western applicants: An electronic visa form "ENJAZ", which is required by the consulate, will need to be completed as well. Link: https://enjazit.com.sa/ . Usually an Embassy approved agent will submit your information thru this website and will provide you an paper hat has approval number which is required to be submitted along with other documents.
11. For western applicants: An invitation letter issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The “Yellow Slip” might also suffice.
12. Copy of the husband work visa, passport data page. (make sure you send this information along with the “Yellow Slip”)
13. For western applicants: A letter of guarantee from the US company (if there is US Sponsor involved)
14. For children, a copy of the birth certificate. The age of an accompanying male child should not exceed seventeen (17) years; an accompanying daughter should not be married.
15. For non-US citizens, a copy of the green card or other documented proof of legal residence in the USA.
I might have to edit this post as I get to know more inofrmation. Comments and corrections are most welcome.
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