Public opinion on Saudi Arabia's temporary suspension of block work visas is mixed, with a lean towards negativity. While some support the decision for economic and routine seasonal reasons, many are concerned about the economic impact on foreign workers, particularly from India. Criticisms focus on perceived inadequacies in India's diplomatic responses and wider domestic policies, emphasizing the lack of employment and support for the diaspora. The discourse includes political undertones, affecting the sentiment attributed to existing diplomatic relations.

Saudi Arabia

Indian Government

*yawn

We keep seeing this from arab countries. They hate us

Severe-Ad-6378

I thought they did this every year until after Eid ul Adha?

mcshiffleface

Does it include stop-over visa also? Planning to go on April 21 to perform Umrah on the way to Bangladesh.

skazadsnu

I don't think Saudi Arabia cares about foreign criminal records, but I don't really know.

rottenbrainer

Did you get a visa in the end? I'm in a very similar situation but from the UK and possession of class A's

Plankton_Royal

Firstly, if you are deported through the Wafideen system and your fingerprints are recorded, it generally indicates deportation due to unpaid fees. The tracking system may show a 10-year ban, but in cases related to fees, the ban is typically from the Jawazat (General Directorate of Passports) and you can usually return after three years. However, if you are deported due to a criminal offense and have a criminal record, the ban, issued by the Imara (governorate) and the Ministry of Interior, is permanent. Based on your description, it appears to be the former scenario. I have met individuals who returned after serving a three-year ban.

Ecstatic_Store_719

I'm so sorry, man. What's your country of citizenship? Where are you currently located?

You see, unfortunately, as you may know, the immigration laws in Saudi Arabia are often very erratic and arbitrary. Nobody really knows what happens beyond visitor and work visas. The regulations may state one thing, but in practice, what happens is almost always completely out of alignment. In fact, I sometimes wonder how they manage to keep the population tracked and managed. I do like their new tourist/visitor visa system, though. It's smooth and streamlined.

With that out of the way, I am a Canadian citizen and a U.S. green card holder, and I was also a temporary resident in Saudi Arabia for close to two decades. I don't know the exact regulations in Saudi Arabia, as they are constantly changing, but since I immigrated to both the United States and Canada, I have a very thorough understanding of the immigration systems in those countries. Here's what I can tell you:

What I guess happened in your case is that your iqama expired years ago. After a certain period following the expiry of your status, the system generated a removal/deportation order. This means that anytime enforcement apprehends an overstayer while a deportation order is already active, you are placed into removal. Alternatively, if you didn't have a removal order, then when you went to Jawazat and they discovered that you had overstayed, they put you into deportation proceedings. What you didn't clearly mention was how you departed the Kingdom: did you leave voluntarily, or was Jawazat responsible for your removal? I'm going to guess the former.

For example, in the U.S., if you overstay by a year and voluntarily depart, you automatically incur a 10-year bar on re-entry. So, it sounds like you were already subject to deportation due to your overstay. Jawazat enforced and logged it in the system, and then, when you departed, it immediately triggered and linked the 10-year bar to your profile.

Now, here's the million-dollar question: is an overstayer in Saudi automatically subject to a 10-year bar? I have no idea—I was rambling about the arbitrary nature of the system earlier—but when you left voluntarily (or were forcefully removed by Jawazat, I don't know), that 10-year bar was applied to you. I am so sorry. I think your father made some poor decisions and didn't understand the consequences or inquired enough before sending you home. How much fees do you owe? It may be that once the fees are paid, the bar could be alleviated. What you need is someone in Jawazat who can inquire directly to your Iqama # and see what the hell happened. Maybe they'll let you find a way. Good luck.

CXZ115

i’m sorry i wish i had advice, just commenting to send love &amp; hopefully boost this post so someone who can help sees it !

julesarieee

Apply for 3 months Umerah Visa and come and visit your family leave before visa expiry. That's the only solution for you.

UsualCute1

I'm reading too many stories like this lately where Saudi born kids of expats become too obsessed with the country and go into depression when they eventually have to leave. I blame your parents. They knew what they were getting into when they built a family here. They should've made sure you stayed connected to your home country and never forgot your roots. Now as they say in my language 'aap na idhar k rahay na udhar k'. 

This is such a sad situation and I hope current expats can learn from this while raising kids. I don't think Saudi will ever grant birth-right citizenship due to a number of reasons. Expat kids who are born here need to be told this as soon as they're old enough to understand the reality, parents should frequently take their kids back to their home country, and keep family ties strong.

I'm sorry you're in this situation but there's not much you can do. Try to focus on your education/career, build a life in a country that will accept you, whether it's your parents' country of origin or somewhere else. 

I know you're feeling a sense of abandonment but there's no one to blame except your parents. I hope more expats can learn from this because posts like this are just sad to see.

AdviceOk9069

‘Surely, with hardships comes ease’. 

Stay strong dear brother. May Allah make it easy for you.

[deleted]

As the poster above has stated, the same would have happened to you in the USA, they would have deported you with a fixed period of a ban. Your father obviously doesn’t have wasta and the Saudi immigration system is rather inflexible. Mauritania must have some as quite a culture shock to you, but you need to seek a way to succeed in university there and continue your life. It might also be worth thinking of what your life in Saudi would be life as an illegal, you couldn’t work nor attend university, so you would just age trapped in society until you got married, and even then you would have to leave with the same ban, so your father actually did what was best for you in his opinion, based on the options available to him.

Cool_83

Don't worry, allah put you through this because you will handle it, trust insha'llah ♥️
You got this man.

MoxxiFortune

Deserved,Next time don’t play on the system and have a nice visit 🥰

Appropriate_Art_7194

I think it’s so frustrating that the system is only on the side of extremely privileged or patriarchal/sexist/racist standards. They act like being born here even when your father isn’t Saudi is nothing, even if your mom is, it does nothing even with iqama. This causes extreme instability. Hope this changes someday. And no one cares or talks about it enough.

Tasty_Range_8631

Why didn't you just maintain your Iqama in the country that you claim you love?

va643can

vll5z

Well they did you good by teaching you a lesson to not try to play the system ever again

raxirax

موريتانيا؟ أطيب شعب فوق الأرض، خصوصاً الشيخ محمد ولد الددو ، حفظه الله.

AK47-603

Two questions
-	Which part is specific to you due that you’re syrian?

-	I thought they can only freeze your credit card (which make sense) but debit card Is your money

Pussyi

Standard procedure when the last salary hits your account and the bank freezes it to check whether any outstanding credit card or loans.

Savings account will be functional without any issues. I was out of the country during covid with expired id and had no issues using my savings account.

Distinct-Drama7372

It's been 3 years that I left UAE and my account is still active. I sometimes credit and debit a few hundred an it goes through

gautam_arya

If you have a loan against your salary, banks will freeze the account the moment you lose your job; until they ensure you get another one or provide another source of steady income associated with a residency visa

Altruistic_Fun8292

No wonder you need to have 2 bank account one savings and other only for salary. Just dont trust the salary account.

This is a PSA to all: NEVER hold liabilities in the bank where your salary comes. Thankfully, the bank is only concerned in their own liabilities and not that of other banks. 

I had changed jobs, and my bank account was frozen when the EOSB came. Unfortunately, I had my main credit card a cash loan against it, so I had to immediately settle it or face my entire money frozen. I had to use my entire EOSB to pay off the credit card and loan.

TrippyZippee

They freeze account ij case of unsettled loans and /or credit cards, in case of current accounts and no liability I have not seen any.

alich345

Even so if your Emirates ID expires (after the grace period).

kenethc

While changing jobs, my bank frozen a part of my current account. Frozen amount was equal to credit card limit. I think in this way they ensure you don't leave the country forever without paying your CC debt.

I change jobs last year, my current account is eib , also they issued me a credit card 

Once they received my eob, they deducted the from that the amount that will cover my credit card. And then they de-activate my credit card, they told me in order to re-activate it I would need to present new company data. 

But Bec I have more than enough funds in my current account to cover my credit card, they didn’t need to de-activate my current account - I have also double check it with their staff

january_fides

Unlikely. Only if you have a large loan. My visa was cancelled 12 months ago and my bank account is still open.

I think it's standard practice. Especially if you have a loan or an overdue credit card

goldensuare

It did happen to meet at one time. Apparently it was because of a credit card that I never activated, and their system automatically blocked my account. I went to a branch and they said they couldn't do anything unless I got a new job. No help with the customer care and another branch. I went to a third branch and they promptly unblocked my account whilst apologizing it shouldn't have happened in the first place. 

My advice, keep going to different branches or speaking to different RMs till they sort it out for you. it's your money and they have no right to prevent access to it. You can consider lodging a complaint with the CB.

dxbtiger

Hello,

Just dealt with this recently so I guess I am in the position to explain what happened, at-least my experience.

I have a bank account with ENBD and I recently changed jobs. They froze my EOSB until i can update my employment details. It’s a safety protocol which they take and has nothing to do with nationality. 

I talked with their legal them who were helpful and got the documents they asked for, after submission they released funds the very next day. 

Yes, I had to get my first salary transferred and show them my original passport etc but its a really easy process. 

You are however stuck if you cannot provide these documents within 60 days. Note that they only block funds if you have an outstanding liability with the bank and your funds will be settled against it if you fail to update details on time. 

Hope this helps!

Stangster56

I have ENBD. I had lost my job. Visa expired. Nothing blocked my salary account. From what I know is they block if you have loan

kundiappi

That's weird, I cancelled my visa, and the account works fine. Also, the credit card works fine, I went back to my country and then came back to dubai under a visit visa, and still both works fine

saif_313

That's strange I've changed jobs never had a frozen bank account. I don't have loans though only credit cards. If you have a mortgage you just need to inform the bank in advance and continue paying and provide the paperwork they require.

Janna1990

Accounts / balance are only frozen to cover any debt you have (loans / credit cards).
The rest is your personal money.
I dont think being Syrian is any different as the nationality is only related to sanctions / transfering money to Syria..
Call the Central Bank and talk to them!

MSam85

Weakness in training and/or recognizing the suitable role for a person where he/she can function better for himself/herself in the society and economy. 

You can open any digital bank account using your EID and make the best out of your available resources. 

Think of where you can do and feel better, refresh your CV and apply online. 

The world needs you

itscostar

Standard UAE advise here - if you stop receiving money on your account (for any reason - termination, etc), it's advisable to close your credit cards in the bank, as the total credit limit on all your credit cards is the amount bank can freeze from your savings (even if you did not use that limit).

If your visa is cancelled - it's strongly suggested to do it )

About NBD - this is a good bank in all terms (even with Eva still there), maybe you got classified under some sanctions category

GenerousResident

they do that to anyone regardless of nationality if you have a credit card or load.

hjay_z

They freeze the account even if you don't have a credit card, loan etc. It's automatically linked to the visa cancellation.  If you reason with them, they will unfreeze,  especially when you mention closing the account.  Last thing they need. Happened to me once,  never again.

l-art-a-hani

Please don't feel it is because you are Syrian it happens to everyone, all us ex Pat's, as it is a way to determine if you owe any money and for any dept to be paid.
This was implemented after 2008 a lot of people lost their jobs and just left the country owing banks and car companies a lot of money.
This is their way to protect themselves.
Syrians are welcome here here like everyone else, just don't owe money to anyone as it would be taken first, that just goes for all of us.

PS. Everyone knows to get money out to survive as it will be frozen.
Sorry for your misfortune, I hope you find something else soon.

Extension_Point4332

All that happens is your credit card won’t work. You can still access cash from the machine.

Vegetable_Potato9434

You're a big liar.
No bank in the UAE freezes your account if you have no engagement with them...

By engagement with them:

Personal loan 
Credit card 
Auto loan
Any credit with the bank.

They freeze the ESOSB which your bank transfers to your account when your contract ends, and this is an approved policy by the central bank of UAE, and of course it is mentioned in the KYC documents which you signed.

If you're writing they got your account frozen, it's not because of your nationality, but because you owe them!

Mbikang

Huh? Who did you say your employer was?

*Oh, I work 100% remote.*

Deguilded

MBS tried to cheat and was caught creating Potemkin Village of trying to falsely raise the ranking of Saudi universities.

Good riddance.

macross1984

Oil money is a bane of the world. Qatar is funding islamic propaganda in American universities and mosques and Saudi using it to white wash it's negative image.

Best-Race4017

most innovation and research traditionally has come from free countries, that is one strong argument for democratic order of things

is it still so?

not-better-than-you

Is it okay in Islam to pay others to lie for you?

chockedup

I read and re-read this headline a dozen times.

RIP Jamal Khashoggi

Fuck MBS and all of his POS cronies

toxic-chanka


I don't work in Saudi Arabia either  there, I said it

Wonderful_Common_520

This is why I can't choose not to view the article:

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AmericanSahara

What scientist wants to work in a place where it's 120F and no alcohol? What scientist is that poor?

I don't understand. Did they stop falsely claiming or do you want them to stop?

What a dumb vanity project. They were wasting money just to buy higher ranks on a ranking that mostly only other academics care about? Not even to buy good research/researchers like other strategies like China's Thousand Talents?

What the fuck?

Why?

Who cares?

These scientists should be named and shamed and prosecuted.  What they did is fraud.  They also helped a tyrannical regime improve its reputation using lies.

Kannigget

Tip of the forkin iceberg.

When is someone gonna look at keynote speakers at [conferences.In](http://conferences.In) many fields , it's an incestuous pool of insiders giving eacdh other all expense 5 star travel junkets, locking out all but the most sycophantic young scholars, and citing each other to death.

Sadly, it takes til near the end of a Ph.D to see through the bullshit and then either you quit academia and get a proper job, join the kabal, or just settle into a tenure position, take the salary and spend your career dodging the egos of everyone else in the faculty.

Protip: If you want to actually learn  as a grad student, the prof whose door is always closed is probably your best bet

Intelligent_Water_79

Certain faculties, science &amp; management for example, in universities in other countries (Singapore, Australia, Canada) also do this, quite openly. It's a sad admission of feelings of inadequacy, but I blame the obsession with rankings.

burnabycoyote

Deep_Head4645

Color me surprise, any and all "achievements" by middle eastern states are BS fueled by petrodollars? Well gosh darn it I really though they were gonna Singapore themselves into a prosperous future of competence and trust among the nations of the Earth

CatPeopleDye

Pokémon I heard of, not this other place.

SnooComics5618

Screw Saudi Arabia and their scams to
Make more money on other-than-oil schemes….

Adept-Mulberry-8720

Well they still have the PGA in the trophy room

KlingonLullabye

Seriously, the KSA is like some kind of middle eastern mash up of Parks and Recreation and Veep. They really should make a show about it.

GoldenDragonWind

I've seen a few of these. I assumed it was a few moving there for the money, not huge numbers pretending to. Maybe that's just what I've been seeing.

CarverSeashellCharms

Unpopular opinion but I am glad that the worst use of oil money mentioned here is Qataris funding AJ and MBS sports washing and hiring academics.

Many people fail to understand this but the alternative in that part of the world is that religious clerics in those countries taking over completely, using oil money to fund religious wars and attacks and destabilizing the entire world. Iraq (ISIS) and Iran went in this exact direction.

For once, let’s please not be naive and idiotic and stick with the devil we know. We don’t have to like it but the alternative is objectively worse.

hersheysskittles

Most cited is debatable, but the conspiracy has obvious merits.

bpeden99

Onehandfretting

Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted the granting of block work visas for nationals from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Nigeria, due to the Hajj season.

Saudi Arabia Temporary Suspension of Block Work Visas

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