Embassy of India, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia : After Arrival

After Arrival

Do’s

Strictly follow the local rules, regulations and customs.
Understand your rights and obligations as per the labour contract.
Do understand that a worker is expected to work with the sponsor for the entire duration of the contract, usually two years, before become eligible for leave or final exit. Requests for premature return even on family emergency, health reasons, etc. are not entertained by the sponsor. In exceptional cases where they agree to release the worker prematurely, sponsors invariably demand to be compensated for the recruitment expenditure incurred by them.
Be aware that the Kingdom follows the Hijri calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than Gregorian calendar. The expiry dates of visa, iqama, exit/re-entry visa, etc., may be cross-checked well in time in order ensure their renewal on time and to avoid inadvertent overstayal, etc. resulting in extreme inconvenience.
Contact the Ministry of Labour (toll free helpline no. 19911) to your register complaint in case if any labour problem such as (a)the employer not providing you the residence permit (Iqama) within 90 days of arrival, or(b) dispute with the sponsor, harassment/non-payment of salaries, violation of the terms of labour contract, refusal to grant leave/exit on completion of the contract, etc.
Make sure to take copies of any new documents and keep copies of the same with you as well as send them to your family.
Exercise extreme caution while using internet and social media so as not to break the local/cyber laws – e.g. browsing/forwarding of objectionable material/contents from any prohibited sites on the internet; sharing/‘liking’ of pictures/posts on the social media, of a religious nature could be construed as blasphemous, offensive to religious/social sensitivities, critical of political system, etc. - as such acts could lead to arrest, criminal case, punishment and deportation.
Do give sufficient notice (preferably 60 days in advance of the expiry of the contract) of your intention to leave the Kingdom on completion of the contract), if you wish to return to India.Otherwise, it is likely that the existing contract could be got renewed for a similar term.
If your contract is not going to be renewed, you must ask the sponsor to send you back to upon completion of the contract - Overstayal of visa is illegal resulting in punishment including fine, imprisonment and deportation.

Don’ts

Do not work with anybody other than your sponsor even with the consent of your sponsor as it is illegal and violations are punished with detention and deportation.
Do not strike work, resort to agitations, or form trade unions or associations as these activities are illegal in the Kingdom resulting in arrest, imprisonment and deportation.
Do not sign on any blank paper /or any document without knowing the contents.
Do not give copies of passport or Iqama to a third person as they could be misused.
Do not make/sell/consume alcoholic drinks - Alcohol is forbidden in the Kingdom.
Do not involve in drug consumption/peddling– punishments are severe including jail and death.
Do not share/‘like’ any pictures/ posts on social media which may be construed as blasphemous, offensive to religious/ social sensitivities, critical of the political system, etc.
Do not attempt to take photos/video of government buildings, industrial areas, airports, police checkpoints, etc. or such sensitive installations as this could lead to arrest, jail and deportation. As photography is a sensitive subject in the Kingdom, also avoid taking pictures/video of streets, public places, etc. and people, especially women, without permission, as well as posting such photos/video on the social media.
Do not circulate videos of grievances relating to working conditions, etc. in the Kingdom, on the social media as this could be counter-productive since circulation of such videos which are perceived to be tarnishing the reputation of the employer as well as the image of the host country or violating the cyber/privacy laws, etc. are dealt with sternly.
Do not overstay your exit/re-entry visa while on leave in India– you could be barred from returning. If any delay of return journey is anticipated, the sponsor needs to be contacted for completing the necessary formalities in this respect.
Do not overstay your visa in the Kingdom if the sponsor is not willing to renew the employment contract.