Offered Senior Accountant role in Saudi but visa is “loading/unloading worker”, should I be concerned?

Posted by Zealousideal_Dust_45@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 31 comments

Hi everyone,

I recently received a job offer for a Senior Accountant role in Saudi Arabia (Al Khobar/Dammam area) from India. The company seems legit and the offer is decent.

However, I came to know that the visa profession might be issued as “loading/unloading worker” instead of a professional category like Accountant.

I wanted to understand from people who have experience in KSA:

a. Is it common for companies to issue non-professional (labour) visas for white-collar roles?

b. Will having a labour profession on iqama cause issues in the future?

c. Career growth / switching jobs

d. Recognition of experience

e. Family sponsorship eligibility

How difficult is it to change profession later to Accountant? Is it realistic or just something companies say?

The company mentioned it’s a normal process, but I’m a bit concerned about long-term impact.

Would really appreciate honest advice from anyone who has gone through this or knows how it works in reality.

Thanks in advance

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nyramsniurb@reddit

It happens in the UAE as a temp fix if the documents for the highly skilled visa take too much time to get attested (it is a whole thing in the Middle East, half the government needs to stamp it after your government already did). The low skilled visa gets swapped afterwards when the docs are submitted. It is not a major red flag by itself, just ask your HR/PRO what the reason is.

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and_cari@reddit

I can vouch for this in the UAE, but this would also come with a clear contract and the agreed upon pay reflected onto the immigration papers (visa / work permit papers).

I am not familiar with the actual Iqama forms from Saudi though, so I wouldn't necessario guarantee the same works in KSA. If it were UAE, this is common even in large MNCs and is just a temp fix.

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hyperxenophiliac@reddit

This sounds way more accurate.

Everyone on here spouting conspiracy theories about slavery - do you really think the GCC needs to scam people into coming there to work menial jobs? There are literally tens of millions of uneducated workers with zero opportunities in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan etc who are more than willing to come.

Highly likely this is just a way of getting around bureaucracy.

OP should ask for a clear explanation and triple check that the employer is actually legitimate etc, but don't throw away what is almost certainly a normal job opportunity that you seem excited for just because a few white people in Reddit got their panties in a twist about labour rights in the Gulf.

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beerouttaplasticcups@reddit

The attestation struggle is real. I work in the EU as an export manager with a lot of Middle Eastern clients. Qatar is winning the game now though with a brand new online attestation portal that seems straight out of 1995 somehow?

Intelligent_Switch72@reddit

I live in the UAE, so not Saudi, but I have something similar. I’m an IT consultant but my visa says “sales” which is a low designation.

2 reasons

1) when I arrived here I was still doing my university degree (later in life) and my designation was based on my highest level of education at the time.

2) it’s cheaper for companies on certain designations. It hasn’t affected my salary, benefits or other rights.

In Saudi things are different. But overall my money is on similar reasons to what I had. You’re not going to become a “slave” as others have suggested, just because of this. What it can do it affect other things though, like Banks willing to give you loans about certain amounts etc.

Ask them directly. See what rights you have (or don’t have).

SeanBourne@reddit

I’ve spent some time in KSA as a western oil & gas executive from a country the Saudi’s don’t want to cross. Based on everything I’ve seen there, what you describe is like a communist party parade worth of red flags. In short, I would run, not walk away from this offer in your shoes. Feel free to PM me if this is unclear/doesn’t already have you stepping away.

italktomyplantsdoyou@reddit

I think you mean capitalist’s wet dream 😂

Zealousideal_Dust_45@reddit (OP)

check your DM, I have messaged you. Thanks for the reply

forreddituse2@reddit

Seems like a scam company hiring people and force them to do fraud on senior Americans.

Maleficent-Drive4056@reddit

I agree it’s a scam but no idea what makes you think it’s a fraud operation targeted at senior Americans?!

OP mentioned it's an Indian company. You can search Indian scam call center on Youtube to get a better understanding.

If this is a Chinese/Taiwanese company, the targets would be Chinese speaking population.

🤣🤣🤣🤣. It ain't that deep bro 🥀🥀

Elmy50@reddit

Wait. What?!

Asif_Minhas@reddit

Yes, don't go unless proper visa type offered

SouthernSympathy8706@reddit

yes I have had this done with me, they changed it to an engineer after getting my degree attested from the embassy. it took around 4-5 months.

kin3v@reddit

I would NOT take that risk. It’s right in front of your face hoping you’ll bite.

Mental-Respond1700@reddit

Not a typo — it's the company's idea of compliance.

davchana@reddit

It is very common for asian staff. Visa would be carpenter, but you would be an office manager.

Quiet_Falcon2622@reddit

Whaaaattttt?

Minskdhaka@reddit

Be very concerned. I watched a talk recently by a Bangladeshi imam who was ostensibly hired as a hajj guide in Saudi Arabia some years ago, but in reality they were going to turn him into a toilet cleaner. Fortunately he was able to get out of that arrangement. But you may well find yourself upon arrival in Saudi Arabia having to work as that selfsame loading/unloading worker. Don't move there unless your visa is 100% what you want it to be based on your actual line of work.

Top-Half7224@reddit

They will lure you with a job offer that sounds like a good opportunity. They will tell the authorities you are going to be a labourer. When you arrive they will take your documents, and you will be enslaved as a worker under inhumane conditions in order to "reimbuse" them for the costs of bringing you over.

You will have no rights.

You will be unable to leave.

Your family wont be allowed to follow (unless they are also happy with forced labor).

This is how human trafficking happens and a lot of Indians also get a kickback from it. (It is also a problem in southern Europe).

This. Don't go, OP.

Early_Switch1222@reddit

Agreeing with the others on this. The 'loading/unloading worker' visa category in Dutch immigration law is a specific low-skill class, not an accountant role. Using it to hire you into a senior finance position is either fraud by the employer or a setup where your legal status doesn't match your actual job, and both end badly for you. Worth walking away from this one.