British woman moving to Riyadh - not living in a compound

saudia arabia?god be with you.the sponser in arab countries like god can control u and do whtever he want.sorry to say that but its true;i been there and i know how its work

Fernando79 wrote:

the sponser in arab countries like god can control u and do whtever he want

Like God!!!!!
How you think? this is not appropriate.

There are some kind of difficulties in residence permit (Iqama)
and sponsorship issues but can't be as you said.

And now many regulations has been introduced. I'm not saying this
in sake of defending about SA or how the country system works.

Easy on the Lady.

Zaah welcome and hope you enjoy your new adventure.

Don't worry too much. Life is easy as you want it to be.
Many people were like you having thoughts and feeling anxiety about the relocation.

Believe me, you will be able to establish a good friendship over here with many people. And there are a lot of nice British expats I met that will not hesitate providing you any sort of help.

I'm sure that you are coming to work for a high profile family,
because not all families can afford hiring a British Nanny.  One thing that is true: not all Saudis are the same.

So, be confident and think to have a positive experience.
And at any time it is your choice to leave or to stay.
Nobody can prohibit you from traveling and your sponsor should not do anything that can cause you any harm.
US and UK citizens are highly respected here Zaah.

Wish you best luck.

sorry brother if this word i used bothered u but lets say i;ve been through many bad experince about that before but its ok as u said us and uk citizens are special

Don't take the offer. They may treat u as a slave as they would be hiring you to show off

I am british expat living off compound one thing you all fail to realise is ....we are all slaves in this case cause all company owners are Saudi .....but its nature of the job not all locals are the same...but would be careful about being a nanny check with british embassy here to do background check on the family....there has been incidents where European girls are hired by rich people then treated as slaves and objects some even illegal trafficking. Do ur research before accepting.

Dear Zaah
I agree with choudhers that you should check with the British Embassy to double check,
about life here it is easy and you are free to socialize with people, the differences that you will find here is the women dress code, alcohol and driving cars for women is not allowed, if you don't mind these three things then you will feel comfortable,
regarding the visa issue if you have any problem with your sponsor you can make a claim about him in the labor office and they are fair dealing with claims against the sponsors

wish you all the best and if you need any help you can contact me any time

ayoobgh wrote:

about life here it is easy and you are free to socialize with people

I always love it when men say that life here is easy.  Maybe for YOU it is.  If you're a single female, it's not.

And we are NOT free to 'socialize with people,' unless, of course, you are referring to other female people.  Then yes, we are 'free' to do so

You minimize how difficult it is not to be able to drive in a city with NO public transportation.  There is NO way to explore and find new places or things that you want unless you spend a fortune on cabs, driving you around while you have them stop and drop you off at a place that looks like it *could* be interesting.   The only thing WE can do is do the same things and go the same places as our contacts. There's no breaking out of this box without a car.

Thanks for the replies guys. Wasn't aware I can get a background check on the family, so will defiantly look into this.

@ayoobgh, let me fix it for you

you are free to socialize with people of the same gender, the differences that you will find here is the segregation of the sexes, women dress code, alcohol and driving cars for women is not allowed, if you don't mind these three four things then you will feel comfortable

That's of course, in public.  In private and in compounds, anything goes, including the four things above, and more.

Alliecat wrote:

ayoobgh wrote:

about life here it is easy and you are free to socialize with people

I always love it when men say that life here is easy.  Maybe for YOU it is.  If you're a single female, it's not.

And we are NOT free to 'socialize with people,' unless, of course, you are referring to other female people.  Then yes, we are 'free' to do so

You minimize how difficult it is not to be able to drive in a city with NO public transportation.  There is NO way to explore and find new places or things that you want unless you spend a fortune on cabs, driving you around while you have them stop and drop you off at a place that looks like it *could* be interesting.   The only thing WE can do is do the same things and go the same places as our contacts. There's no breaking out of this box without a car.

I agree with you but if you need any help you will always find someone to support you. I am living in Riyadh for more than 12 years now and I know the language, the culture the laws, and the places, any way if there is any thing you need help with just let me know

ayoobgh wrote:

I agree with you but if you need any help you will always find someone to support you. I am living in Riyadh for more than 12 years now and I know the language, the culture the laws, and the places, any way if there is any thing you need help with just let me know

You going to drive me around the city so I can learn and explore?

I think you're extremely naive about how things are here for single western women who don't speak Arabic.  I'm sure you're a nice man--just naive

consider this as an invitation to drive you around the city

ayoobgh wrote:

consider this as an invitation to drive you around the city

OMG--drive me right to a Saudi prison and then deportation!!

But thanks anyway

I don't mean to sound stupid, but I thought in Saudi woman cannot hangout with men unless they are married or related to them(unless you are in a compound).

Zaah wrote:

I don't mean to sound stupid, but I thought in Saudi woman cannot hangout with men unless they are married or related to them(unless you are in a compound).

Yes that's correct, ayoobgh is giving out very misleading advice.

Read my post from earlier today, where I modified ayoobgh's post to make it correct.

Fernando79 wrote:

sorry brother

Fernando, I'm not your BROTHER.

regarding the visa issue if you have any problem with your sponsor you can make a claim about him in the labor office and they are fair dealing with claims against the sponsors

[emphasis mine]

More misleading advice.  In this case, it is probably true because the OP is Western.

But in general, that bolded part is not true, and especially so if one is a lowly "TCN" (Third Country National).

The only thing I find missleading is you.

Zaah - Really listen to Allie & Trape. They have not steered me wrong yet. Plus Allie is a single woman in Riyadh, but I believe on a compound so she will really know what it will probably be like for you.

stressedmom wrote:

..They have not steered me wrong yet...

Hope never at all.

Nice one

ayoobgh wrote:

The only thing I find missleading is you.

Hey, why don't you regale us with your stories of socializing in public with females, how there is no gender segregation in the country, and how Saudi labor courts are fair to foreigners who bring cases against their sponsors?  Surely, in 12 years, you must have collected a lot of juicy stories.

I will bring the popcorn for everybody....

ha ha ha...... that's what Saudi does to us...but atleast this forum and such topics bring some fun to our lives... @ Zaah let me give few pointers :-
1. You will not be able to even exit the country unless your sponsorer gives you an exit visa.
2. As Allie said in case you develop some contacts, which would have to women offcourse , your movements are limited to there movements as alone there isn't really much to explore...and without car, which women can't drive, cabs get costly....
3. If you are looking at a quick year or two to save and go back...then make sure the money offered is good enough and in case you enter any written contract read all the conditions carefully.
4. Definitely a great idea to be always in touch with your embassy. Infact a friend who is an Australian citizen has a specific contact person assigned by his embassy for any help.
5. At the end of it, much of your stay would depend on the family you are going to work with..so make sure you like those people. And don't handover your passport to them , make it clear before hand . As there is/was (unclear) a sought of rule regarding this that once you get your Iqama you need to give your passport to the employer...

im saudi man so if you want to enjoy your self ask your sponsir to give days off to see people or to see diiferent live every one must be free happy to work hard and happy and im sure he never stop you