Newbie questions

Hi, I'm moving to Saudi soon and I'm contacting people who live there to make it easier later. Go to facebook find  "Susie of Arabia" there is a lots of people on her profile, you can ask questions,
regards
Grace

@grazyna: you dont have to go anywhere.. This forum is fiull of free adv ice and a lot more..

@leedslad: Welcome to the forum, there are a lot of peopl here who would be willing to help you out in the specific questions that you have requested. But on that note, where exactly in Saudi Arabia are you planning to come? It might help to understand the local requirements a bit better.

Cheers!

Hi I will be moving to Riyadh... I have been told by my employer that I will be in a Hotel until my Iqama is sorted and then move onto a compound which they will provide. I understand there is a shortage of housing on compounds but they have agreements with a few and I hope it should not be a problem...

@grazyna: Thank you for that suggestion... I will be totally honest, I am not a facebook person...have never used it... thanks for the suggestion though

In answer to the questions ;

1. Cow and gate is available (the equivalent of tesco super stores exist here, same set up, same items)

2. Montessori exists in Riyadh

3. Not needed - homes, offices, cars are air conditioned. No insect problems

4. Bring baby items with you it will be easier. You should get a shipping allowance.

5. Check with compound as it will be furnished. Small electrical items eg kitchen items and others bring with you. Uk appliances will work here.

6. Parents can visit. Easy process. Application made from riyadh. No visa available for them to stay permanently.
They will be granted a 30 day visa. Which can be extended on a monthly basis for a maximum 6 times after which they will have to leave. Please note that I said maximum. Visa will not be renewed during hajj season also visa will not be renewed if visa expires in Ramadan holiday period.

Anything else please ask.

@Leeds: like i said: there are people who are really very informative about all of this.

@saudiUk: dude, you one bank of knowledge!

SaudiUK wrote:

In answer to the questions ;

1. Cow and gate is available (the equivalent of tesco super stores exist here, same set up, same items)

2. Montessori exists in Riyadh

3. Not needed - homes, offices, cars are air conditioned. No insect problems

4. Bring baby items with you it will be easier. You should get a shipping allowance.

5. Check with compound as it will be furnished. Small electrical items eg kitchen items and others bring with you. Uk appliances will work here.

6. Parents can visit. Easy process. Application made from riyadh. No visa available for them to stay permanently.
They will be granted a 30 day visa. Which can be extended on a monthly basis for a maximum 6 times after which they will have to leave. Please note that I said maximum. Visa will not be renewed during hajj season also visa will not be renewed if visa expires in Ramadan holiday period.

Anything else please ask.

i love da way u response

@saudiuk: Thank you so much... On the shipping allowance, it is not much considering we have 2 young kids. I am looking to use a local company here to ship additional items... Should I consider bringing my TV's etc if they are not provided by the compound, otherwise they will go into stoage here...

The packing will start next week for my initial visit to start the process for the iqama... so preparing myself. How long does it typically take once you have your iqama to get your family, as I understand they are 2 seperate processes

It varies....we (my family) all came together (that is not the norm)

Typically, your Iqama will take a week or two (bring your medical reports - otherwise you will doing the medical tests over again - they are needed for Iqama).

Then you will apply in Riyadh for family (there is no time limit for this - out of your control - 2 weeks to 1 month is the variation in time)

Once it is approved, you will have to send that back to the UK, and then family can apply for visa's. (medical for Family will be required etc)

Typically your family will join you in 2/3 months time.

The other factor you may wish to look into..July/August is when a lot of expats leave the Kingdom for Summer Holidays. So compounds are largely empty. Its a generally a very quiet period as lot of locals also take vacation at the same time.

Ramadan is going to coincide with August...it may be easier if they were to join you in September after eid Holidays. People will be around to welcome and help you out plus the weather will be a bit lower. Expect temp close to 50 degrees in July/August (its dry heat). (September Temp will be around 37 degrees. Coming into the peak of the summer is not advised.

This may sound a bit absurd to you, but in December/January the temp drops close to freezing..so you will need warm clothes...you will feel the cold more as the houses are not insulated and there is no central heating. (the plus side is that it is only for 2 weeks)

You can bring your TV, even if a TV is provided you can set it up in a different room.

Surprised about the shipping allowance, most employers give a generous allowance - mine was 1000kg in 2 shipments. I only used around 300Kg.

Good Luck

I have considered about moving my family later... however we will be coming back to the UK in September as we have a family wedding and to be honest, my wife has been in Pakistan for the last few weeks to see her family and I am really missing the kids... So not seeing them for a further few months maybe tough but I hear your point and something I will definately take on board...

I did not realise the family visa would take so long, so it may mean we would hold off and see when that is finally approved...


With regards to medical for the family.. I am trying to get ahead of all that and my wife has her medical before I fly out and my qualifications are going through the process of being authenticated etc at the moment, so all the paperwork is ready for once I have my Iqama, to try and expedite the family visa, once I have Iqama

Its interesting on our allowance... mine is only 5% of that for the whole family, hence having to use a local shipping company...

The holidays for Eid are they standard for all companies or just govt entities...Which I understand is typically 10 days for each

I suggest you speak to your employer regarding shipping allowance. Really surprised as almost all UK expats received a generous shipping allowance. There are people who received more than us! Shipping takes about 4 weeks to arrive and you will have to engage the services of a local (riyadh) agent.Let me know nearer the time.

Holidays vary ... but you will get some holidays for Eid and Hajj. From 3 days upto 10 days depending on employer.

Make sure your employer sorts out your housing before you come out. Yes compounds have waiting lists. Many have had a bad experience if accomodation is not sorted/ready prior to family arriving.

I mentioned to someone else who is coming from the UK, to have their mobile unblocked in the UK. (mobiles are relatively expensive here compared to UK as you are buying the mobile handset out right).

Also to call back to UK, either use skype or consider vonage. Both work well.

Where to find cow and gate baby milk formula? I have tried almost all the stores here but not found.please advise