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**blodwarttufla** · 05-28-2012, 02:55 PM

It would be best if someone living and working in Suadi Arabia, having experience with above issues would respond to that. However, being in a neighboring state which employs a similar immigration system, I could probably comment on some laws and practices:

Any foreigner entering Saudi Arabia must have a sponsor (this is valid even for visit visas - the only exception is Umrah, but in that case you must apply via a registered agent). The sponsor is called Kafeel. This could be a person or an organization.
Only the Kafeel may request to extend or cancel your visa.
Kafeel is also involved if you run into legal problems, as he/she/it is considered responsible and accountable for your actions.
You may not leave the country without the Kafeel's authorization, and his application at the Ministry. This is what's called Khuroojiah, or Exit Permit. I am not so sure, but I've heard it costs SR 100 per exit, and much higher for multiple exit permit (then you don't need explicit permission to exit every time you do). In Qatar, where I live it costs QR 10 per exit, and something like QR 500 for multiple exit permit. A good organization or individual Kafeel would normally pay for at least one exit permit per year (along with the airfare to home country).
Kafeels generally treat white collar workers and executives much better than blue collar workers and laborers, who unfortunately have to face some really harsh conditions and behaviors.
There's much pressure on Saudi Arabia (and Qatar) to scrap sponsorship laws and replace them by something that's more acceptable to organizations like WTO etc.

In most cases people entering Saudi Arabia to work already realize the terms of engagement and the conditions they are going to face, and they accept them willingly or otherwise. We know it's unfortunate how our Saudi (and some other Arab) brethren treat poor workers from South and South East Asia, but all we can do is pray and try to raise awareness within them as well as the aspiring workers.

05-28-2012, 02:55 PM	#5
blodwarttufla Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 430 Senior Member	It would be best if someone living and working in Suadi Arabia, having experience with above issues would respond to that. However, being in a neighboring state which employs a similar immigration system, I could probably comment on some laws and practices: Any foreigner entering Saudi Arabia must have a sponsor (this is valid even for visit visas - the only exception is Umrah, but in that case you must apply via a registered agent). The sponsor is called Kafeel. This could be a person or an organization. Only the Kafeel may request to extend or cancel your visa. Kafeel is also involved if you run into legal problems, as he/she/it is considered responsible and accountable for your actions. You may not leave the country without the Kafeel's authorization, and his application at the Ministry. This is what's called Khuroojiah, or Exit Permit. I am not so sure, but I've heard it costs SR 100 per exit, and much higher for multiple exit permit (then you don't need explicit permission to exit every time you do). In Qatar, where I live it costs QR 10 per exit, and something like QR 500 for multiple exit permit. A good organization or individual Kafeel would normally pay for at least one exit permit per year (along with the airfare to home country). Kafeels generally treat white collar workers and executives much better than blue collar workers and laborers, who unfortunately have to face some really harsh conditions and behaviors. There's much pressure on Saudi Arabia (and Qatar) to scrap sponsorship laws and replace them by something that's more acceptable to organizations like WTO etc. In most cases people entering Saudi Arabia to work already realize the terms of engagement and the conditions they are going to face, and they accept them willingly or otherwise. We know it's unfortunate how our Saudi (and some other Arab) brethren treat poor workers from South and South East Asia, but all we can do is pray and try to raise awareness within them as well as the aspiring workers.
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