Reimbursement of visa costs

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the awkward situation your in at the moment.

As far as i'm aware it is an agreement made between the employer and employee prior to arrival in KSA which should be stated in your contract.

Some people receive full reimbursement where as some receive a set amount regardless of the costs and some receive nothing!! 

Check your contract because it is usually in there and also try and speak with someone at the head office and just communicate that there was a misunderstanding and you were expecting to receive a reimbursement.

Hope this has helped.

Ayesha

Thank you Ayesha
I'm afraid it is more complicated than that and I really need an answer to my question about the labor law - whether or not it is actually in the labor law that the employer is supposed to reimburse the visa costs.
Also, does anyone know if the labor office is of any use in these situations? I have been trying to call the Jeddah office but they don't answer the phone.

Sorry, Perhaps contact your embassy in Saudi and they may be able to help more with the fine print.

Article (40) of the labor law states:

(1) An employer shall incur the fees pertaining to recruitment of non-Saudi workers, the fees of the residence permit (Iqama) and work permit together with their renewal and the fines resulting from their delay, as well as the fees pertaining to change of profession, exit and re-entry visas and return tickets to the worker’s home country at the end of the relation between the two parties.

The word 'pertaining to' covers all those costs.
How to get it from them is another thing. Are you really willing to work for this employer?

gingerpo wrote:

Hi All
Hope someone can offer me some advice. My company is refusing to reimburse my visa costs, as promised.

I understand that visa costs are supposed to be paid by the company according to the labor law but i can only find this in the labor law 'The employer shall be responsible for workers' recruitment fees,
fees on issue & renewal of residence permit (Iqama) & work license, fees resulting from renewal delay, fees of sponsorship transfer for work, job title change fees and re-entry visas fees.'

Is this what people are referring to?

Does anyone have any advice on how to make them fulfil their promise to pay full medical and visa costs?

Any help greatly appreciated, thanks.

Do one thing, keep all the documents and record with you, during signing contract. Remember that there is two contract first contract will be sign by employee in his/her home land during processing visa, second contract you gonna sing once you arrived and join work. Regarding other things what you mentioned above, every company have internal rules which may apply on once you agreed. But if there is anything in contract and they did not support you for that you have full rights to complain labour office, in case you signed and did not read properly, you may going to suffer. ''Regarding visa fees paying by company but remember that they will going to deduct from you salary once you here'' it's internal rules too.

gingerpo wrote:

Thank you Ayesha
I'm afraid it is more complicated than that and I really need an answer to my question about the labor law - whether or not it is actually in the labor law that the employer is supposed to reimburse the visa costs.
Also, does anyone know if the labor office is of any use in these situations? I have been trying to call the Jeddah office but they don't answer the phone.

My Dear, in labor office all saudies are working, i visited how many time for a small issue, no one listen me either, and i get replied go and send any Saudi man, or your Sponsor. I hired one Saudi man to go with me ... it's unfair...

That's interesting and useful,  thank you

There is nothing in the contract with my employer but I have something in writing from the recruiting agent and the employer says  the recruiting company is responsible

gingerpo wrote:

There is nothing in the contract with my employer but I have something in writing from the recruiting agent and the employer says  the recruiting company is responsible

One more thing, recruiting agent and employer are playing together game with employee, be careful.
They might be said that but if you going to sign on any paper even it's written with hand writing , they are going to use in future against you. Don't listen anyone, be straight to agent, tell him ''provide me final contract i want to review before signing on it''. then you can review and go further next step for negotiation.

Yes, I agree they are playing the game together
Thanks