Overview of Required Documents-- Visas-- Part 3

Being an American, I am very fluent in the American visa process.  It is a HUGE PAIN, but so is getting a visa for many other popular teaching destinations.  All countries have various hoops you have to jump through to get there, and Saudi is no different.  Compared to some countries this is more difficult and compared to others it is easier.

I will set up a blog entry to talk about each of the specific requirements, and try to break down the process more for you.

Here is the list of required documents that AMERICANS need for the visa process:

Required Documents – Saudi Arabia Employment Visa

1. A passport valid for at least six (6) months, with at least two (2) blank adjacent visa pages.

2. For the application form: One (1) 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. (cannot be an old photo – should be taken within the
last six month period)

3. A completed application form filled in with black ink pen or printed out
(MUST INCLUDE RELIGION, MOTHERS NAME, VALID CONTACT PHONE NUMBER)

4. One notarized copy of each University/College Degree(s) (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate)
(Bring several copies with you to Saudi Arabia, also notarized by a local notary public)

5. Official transcripts (sealed) accompanying each degree being presented.
One copy of sealed transcripts from each college/university attended.

6. A print out from degreeverify.com, verifying your degree.
(Please look for your College/University under abbreviations as well)
If the University/College is not a participant of degreeverify.com, an official letter from the
Registrar’s office stating enrollment verification for the alumni is required. Letter must be
addressed to the Saudi Arabian Cultural Missions Office in Washington D.C. Must include
contact information for personnel in Registrar’s office.

7. A "No Objection Letter" stating that the candidate has no objection to the Saudi Arabian
Cultural Missions Office in Washington D.C. viewing academic records. Letter must include
social security number as well as date and signature.

8. ORIGINAL and copy of the employment contract signed by both the sponsor and the
applicant. The position mentioned in the contract should match the position mentioned in
the block visa reference, as should the ACADEMIC DEGREE the applicant holds and its major.
This will be sent to you by RAIS.

9. The original letter from the company in Saudi Arabia sponsoring the applicant, certified
both by a Saudi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This letter MUST indicate the block visa number and date as well as the position and name of the person requested. (Power of Attorney) (This will go to expediter from office directly)

10. A release letter from the previous employer, if the applicant has worked in the Kingdom
before. This applies only if the last employment in the Kingdom ended within the last
three (3) years.

11. Three (3) copies of our medical report, along with three (3) passport size pictures with a
white background (SAME AS ONE SUBMITTED FOR VISA APPLICATION.)
The medical form must be done three times by hand, in the doctor’s handwriting,
three originals instead of one original and two copies.
(MUST BE OBTAINED IN THE UNITED STATES) The three medical reports must be issued
by a licensed physician who must signs each copy and must certify that the applicant is free
of any contagious disease. The license number and address of the physician should appear
on each copy. Three copies of the physician's practicing license. Medical reports should be
used within three (3) months from the date of issuance. Medical reports criteria
(MUST BE DONE IN THE UNITED STATES for Americans)

A. All three must be original

B. Hand filled by physician

C. Every test must be done (we are not kidding about this, every single one)

D. Physician must make a notation by every test (nothing can be left blank)
(Nothing can be overlooked)
(The only test that is not applicable is the pregnancy test for males only)

12. A recent police report, with detailed information about the applicant’s criminal record, if any.
Police report must be official Police Report Criteria (MUST BE OBTAINED IN THE
UNITED STATES) (Must not be older than 6 months , Must have seal, signature, or a stamp
from the police department, Only accepted local and state police (Not FBI), Not a print out
from the website.