Isn't holding your passport illegal in KSA?

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Member since 26 July 2012

kiran_2501Member05 October 2012 20:09:35

Hi,

I see this in my organisation, the sponsor takes your passport for processing your Iqama but never returns it back stating that it will be kept in safe locker. I feel this is not right. Isn't this illegal in KSA? or is this what followed here? why this is done this way?

Martin Fin Serial expat

Member since 24 March 2012

Martin FinSerial expat05 October 2012 20:44:03

337

That is the way for most of us here.

malisohail Serial expat

Member since 28 February 2011

malisohailSerial expat05 October 2012 20:46:18

272

Employers have no right to do that at all anywhere in the KSA. Not all firms do like this. Its better to talk to the employer firmly on this issue, thats not right in anyway.

Freshlikesushi ViP

Member since 14 March 2012

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FreshlikesushiViP06 October 2012 00:43:01

1455

mine used to. but not now.

kiran_2501 Member

Member since 26 July 2012

kiran_2501Member06 October 2012 07:46:50

Freshlikesushi, How did you managed to get it back? My concern is my employer's attitude towards me after I raise this issue. He is been nice and kind now.

Alliecat ViP

Member since 13 October 2009

Alliecat
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AlliecatViP06 October 2012 07:51:57

8790

My company policy is you can't be in possession of both the iqama AND your passport at the same time. They need to be holding one or the other (although, ironically, they let me have both when I went to Dubai, saying that sometimes it's necessary for immigration there).

faisal145 Guest

faisal145Guest06 October 2012 07:56:02

214245

kiran_2501 wrote:
Freshlikesushi, How did you managed to get it back? My concern is my employer's attitude towards me after I raise this issue. He is been nice and kind now.

well kiran it very normal here due to the sponsorship system . Hopefully there will be new system by the end of this year.

ICAL TEFL New member

Member since 05 October 2012

ICAL TEFLNew member06 October 2012 08:10:05

It is not right. Your passport belongs to you (or your home government) and shouldn't be kept by anyone else. Ask for it back and if refused contact your local embassy/consulate and ask their advice. There have been a number of cases where the local embassy have pressured the employer into giving it back.

Alliecat ViP

Member since 13 October 2009

Alliecat
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AlliecatViP06 October 2012 08:32:42

8790

Oh, they'll give it back when I want it, in exchange for the iqama lol

Arbab Contributor

Member since 22 March 2011

ArbabContributor06 October 2012 09:46:46

#10

147

Yes, get your embassy or anyone else to pressurize your sponsor to give the passport back. You will get it back eventually but with an exit stamp most probably and in return of your residence permit. And then even your embassy will not be able to do anything.

ICAL TEFL wrote:
It is not right. Your passport belongs to you (or your home government) and shouldn't be kept by anyone else. Ask for it back and if refused contact your local embassy/consulate and ask their advice. There have been a number of cases where the local embassy have pressured the employer into giving it back.

Freshlikesushi ViP

Member since 14 March 2012

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FreshlikesushiViP06 October 2012 11:06:03

#11

1455

kiran_2501 wrote:
Freshlikesushi, How did you managed to get it back? My concern is my employer's attitude towards me after I raise this issue. He is been nice and kind now.

They just give it back. Don't even ask

Hitch Serial expat

Member since 10 April 2011

HitchSerial expat06 October 2012 12:23:10

#12

545

Freshlikesushi wrote:
kiran_2501 wrote:
Freshlikesushi, How did you managed to get it back? My concern is my employer's attitude towards me after I raise this issue. He is been nice and kind now.

They just give it back. Don't even ask

umm i wont but why ? like is it a rule ?

Freshlikesushi ViP

Member since 14 March 2012

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FreshlikesushiViP06 October 2012 12:26:41

#13

1455

No rule saying they can't

harryKSA Member

Member since 04 September 2012

harryKSAMember06 October 2012 19:26:21

#14

ICAL TEFL wrote:
It is not right. Your passport belongs to you (or your home government) and shouldn't be kept by anyone else. Ask for it back and if refused contact your local embassy/consulate and ask their advice. There have been a number of cases where the local embassy have pressured the employer into giving it back.

Hotels in some European countries are obliged by law to keep hold of your passport.

I guess people react to this kind of thing differently depending on the context.

norahn Member

Member since 03 October 2012

norahnMember06 October 2012 23:52:40

#15

Dont worry, This is the system here and if they give it back with iqama the emplyee may get another contract in another country then! !???? suddenly disapear that one of the reasons they keep it

Alliecat ViP

Member since 13 October 2009

Alliecat
=^.^=

AlliecatViP07 October 2012 06:08:58

#16

8790

Freshlikesushi wrote:
No rule saying they can't

Usually it's company policy.

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