Visa Information

English teachers in Saudi Arabia are capable of receiving a wide variety of visas, which largely depends on the request made by the employer. It is important for prospective instructors to have a clear understanding of their visa classification prior to travelling to the Kingdom. Three of the most common visa scenarios are listed below:

1. Many teachers receive a 90-day work/visit visa at the time of initial hire, which permits them to enter Saudi Arabia and begin teaching immediately. Some work/visit visas only allow one entry; others permit multiple entries. Note: If the visitor visa has been annotated “not permitted to work, ” and the individual takes up work anyway, there would be no legal grounds to pursue a case against an employer should such a dispute arise.

2. Some teachers receive a residence/work visa prior to arrival, which is accompanied by an “iqama” or residence card after arriving in Saudi Arabia. The residence/work visa and Iqama allows an individual to travel freely to and from Saudi Arabia during the stated validity period.

3. Other teachers receive a work/visit visa which allows him or her to begin teaching, but are later given the option to pursue a residence/work visa. Because holders of work/visit visas cannot transfer to residence/work visas inside the Kingdom, they must leave the country, often to their home country, and then re-enter to change visa status.

The “iqama” application process may take 3-6 months, during which the teachers give their passports to the school. In the meantime, the teacher would not be able to leave the country until the “iqama” has been issued. If an emergency should arise during this process, it is extremely difficult to make arrangements to leave. While the “iqama” is being processed, the teacher should ask for a letter from the school which explains their status in country should they be stopped by the police for any reason. A Skyline representative will be happy to assist candidates and clients during this process.

Professional Contracts

Prospective English teachers are advised to negotiate a clear, detailed contract prior to accepting a position in Saudi Arabia. Specific key issues should be stated, including:

• Terms of payment
• Terms of resignation and/or dismissal
• Whether the company will issue a residence or temporary work visa
• Whether the visa is single or multiple entry
• Whether the employee will be permitted to retain his / her passport in Saudi Arabia
• Assignment location and the possibility of being relocated to another part of the country

Please note: The written Arabic text of a contract governs employment and business arrangements under Saudi law.

Before signing a contract, U.S. citizens should obtain an independent translation to ensure a full understanding of the contract's terms, limits, and agreements. No U.S. citizen should come to work in Saudi Arabia or make a business arrangement without having read and understood the full written contract. Verbal assurances or side letters are not binding under Saudi law.

Most employers promise to provide tickets home upon completion of a contract; however, in the case of labor dispute, termination, or failure to complete a contract, this commitment may not be honored.

Housing Accommodations

While some employers provide a housing allowance for independent locations, most schools and institutes provide housing for teachers. The company will work with you to find suitable housing; they have a number of existing apartment buildings that current teachers are living in, so you may join the existing apartment facilities as well. This can be a modern apartment (furnished or unfurnished) or as rudimentary as dormitory accommodations, which are common at some universities, or in remote villages.

For single males/females there will be shared accommodation (2 bedrooms) with a common kitchen and living room area. Each teacher will have their own private bedroom. Accommodations may be gender segregated. For couples and families, a 1 or multi-bedroom furnished apartment will be provided when the whole family arrives.

Working Hours

Most schools/institutes require foreign instructors to teach a minimum of six hours per day or longer, five to six days per week.

Normally, between 30 and 40 total hours for institutions, and approximately 25 contact teaching hours for university positions are expectedly weekly.

Cultural Immersion

Saudi Arabia has an exciting and diverse culture for foreigners to explore and immerse themselves in! During this experience, it is important to keep in mind that cultures vary greatly from one another, and you might initially struggle to adjust to your new surroundings. Cultural norms concerning conservative dress codes and social interaction can be confusing at first, but foreigners can easily adjust in order to respectfully merge with the local community. The educational community of students and other TEFL instructors is also very helpful for dealing with culture shock. The local community is quite familiar with other cultures, compliments of movies and satellite channels, and will react positively if you show a genuine and respectful interest in learning about their culture. Most native people that you meet are very enthusiastic about making friends with foreigners and crave to practice their English skills- especially with a native. Part of teaching abroad is having an opportunity to experience something brand new and alternative to your current lifestyle.