“Gulf countries” is the term that is used to refer to the countries surrounding the Persian Gulf, especially by jobseekers from around the world. These countries include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. Apart form the high standard of living, oil and natural gas in abundance, and an economy growing at very high rate, another thing these countries have in common is their requirement of workers to keep their economy growing.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Gulf jobs are advertized in countries as diverse as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines and Nepal, and the selected candidates from these countries move to the Gulf countries to work. Here we talk about the visa regulations about these countries, and general tips about getting a job in the Gulf.
Visa for United Arab Emirates
UAE consists of the seven Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Ras-al-Khaimah, Fujairah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain You need a residence visa or permit to live in the UAE. After you get a residence visa, you can then get a labor permit which will allow you to work in the UAE. Usually, it is the responsibility of your company to complete all formality related to the residence and work visa in UAE.
Visa for Saudi Arabia
A work permit visa or work visa for Saudi Arabia for a worker requires a company as a sponsor. The sponsor company vouchsafes that the employee will work for it, and helps the employee get a work permit. The passport must be valid for at least 6 more months when you apply for the visa. In the past, Saudi Arabian authorities have refused visas to people whose passport has shown recent travel to Israel.
Visa for Kuwait
You require a work permit and a residence visa to be able to work in Kuwait. Work visas are also known as iqamas, and always require a sponsor, who is usually the employer. After the employer has selected a candidate to work for it in Kuwait, it will send the employee a work permit. The employee will take this work permit to the Kuwaiti embassy in his or her country and apply for an entry visa. Once the employee enters Kuwait, he undergoes medical testing and fingerprinting for security clearance, after which he is allowed to work in Kuwait for the time specified in the work permit.
Visas and Jobs for Bahrain, Oman and Qatar
All these countries have different rules for giving visas for gulf job applicant. But they follow the same trend as we see for the three countries above – they usually allow you a work visa only after you are getting sponsored for a job in the gulf by a company. So, the first step for you to get a gulf job is to contact a company from any of these countries, and apply for a gulf job with them. Once you get a company as a sponsor, your dream of a gulf job is almost fulfilled, and all that remains is paperwork.