Upon arrival women should be suitably dressed (no shorts). It will take a few hours to get through immigration.
Try to get in line as soon as you disembark. After going through immigration you will be met at the airport by a
representative from United Medical Group (UMG) who will provide you with transportation to the Hotel
where transport to Al Hada will be arranged for you.
Please inform the Saudi Immigration Officer that a company
representative is waiting for you. If you think you missed the company representative report to the Passenger
Information Desk and request the clerk to page the Al Hada Hospital Representative. If you are
not met, you should call the numbers provided to you by your recruiter. All local calls are free of charge.
You will either be brought directly from Jeddah to Taif by hospital transport or provided accommodations at the
a hotel overnight before making the trip. The journey from Jeddah to Taif will take
about two to three hours. The driver will be a Saudi, who will likely be dressed in the national dress of thobe (a
long shirt like tunic) and a gutra (scarf worn loosely over his head and anchored by a double circular braid) A
member of hospital security service will also travel with you.
When you reach Al Hada you are 6000 feet above sea level. Take your time walking and don't try to exert yourself
too much until you get acclimatized. You will be taken to you apartment by a representative from the housing
department. They will ask you to check through two bags of supplied kitchen and bathroom items plus bedding.
These are for your use while you are at Al Hada.
You will be asked to report to the Orientation Office in the main administrative area of the hospital on the next
working day at 0800 hours. When you arrive at the Orientation Office you will be asked to surrender your passport,
the additional passport photos you brought with you and the original signed contract. In place of your passport you
will be issued your residence permit in about two weeks.
Mattawahs
A Mattawah is a religious official whose job is to enforce the observance of Islamic practices and moral standards
in the community. The word means "one who enforces obedience" in Arabic. Plural is Mattawa'iln. Mattawa'iln
are appointed by a religious society known as the Society for the Propagation of Virtue and Suppression of Vice
which is sponsored by the government and supervised by the King and the Council of Religious Scholars
(Olamaa). They concern themselves with issues about proper dress (especially for women) or whether a
Muslim is observing prayer time. In the souqs, they ensure that businesses close during prayer time etc.
The best
approach to this problem is to be as agreeable as possible and get away as soon as possible.
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Things to do before you leave.
Finance: Initiate a limited power of attorney with a family member or someone you trust who could sign
checks and other financial transactions on your behalf. Also select someone who will pay the bills you left
behind on a regular basis.
Contact your bank to obtain instructions for wiring money home to your account.
Long Distance Service: Investigate which Long Distance company would provide the best discount for calls
to Saudi Arabia so that your friends and relatives will be able to afford to call you. Calls are cheaper from North
America to Saudi than the other way around.
Vacation: Go to a travel agent and investigate possible ports of call for your upcoming vacation. It also would
help to know the return fare from Jeddah for emergencies. Remember, if you leave before the end of your
contract you are responsible for the travel expenses.
Dentist: Make an appointment for a cleaning and check up.
Glasses: Have your eyes examined and get an extra pair of glasses.
Credit Cards: Investigate how your charge accounts handle international exchange rates. Do they charge a
service fee? What is your credit limit? Could you charge a return ticket home if an emergency develops?
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What to bring with you:
Documents: Bring all the documents including your medical exam which was returned with your passport.
- Your passport
- Your educational documents.
- Your professional license and certifications
- Your medical exam.
- Lab results & chest xray.
- Marriage license, if you are travelling with a spouse.
- Your signed contract.
- Additional passport photos. (16)
- Copies of your application package for job hunting at the end of your contract.
- Prescriptions for medications that you require.
Luggage: Best solution is to purchase 2 of the largest suitcases you can find and stuff as much as you can into
them. Check with the airline for their regulations. Excess baggage will be at your own expense.
Clothing: It is cool in Taif from October to May, when temperatures can dip to 40 degrees F. Therefore be sure to
bring some sweaters and other warm clothing. In the summer it can reach 100 degrees F. So don't forget a bathing
suit. But generally western casual clothing such as jeans, khakis, slacks, trousers and long sleeve shirts are the
best items to pack. Women might want to bring along some long skirts or dresses and don't forget stockings or
panty hose (these are hard to find at good prices). Work uniforms are provided but not shoes. Bring your favorite
work shoes, especially if you are a nurse or technician or must be on your feet all day.
Cash: Upon arrival you will need money to obtain food and some necessities (at least $200.00). You will not
receive a paycheck until the 1st day of the following month. If possible, exchange some cash into Riyals at the
airport before you leave, so you have enough Riyals to get you through until you can exchange at the local bank.
Travelers checks are easily exchanged. In addition you will need at least the following: cost of membership at
community center ,$40.00; purchase an abaya, $20.00.
Other Items: In addition to clothes you may want to bring the following:
- A hair dryer (220 V)
- An electrical converter for 220 line.
- Paperback books ( take off the covers)
- Recipe books are always in demand.
- A world atlas.
- An updated address and phone book of your friends & relatives.
- Musical tapes or CD's. (Tapes are cheap but CD's are expensive)
- Electrical appliances and other items. Many items such as portable radios, electric shavers, tape players,
VCR's are easily available and very reasonably priced .
- Pictures of your loved ones.
- Calculator for computing exchange rates and metric measurements.
- Travelers guide to Arabic.
- Favorite shampoos, setting lotions, sun screen, comestics etc..
The time difference from New York or Toronto to Taif is 7 hours in summer and 8 hours in winter.
Initial Mailing Address:
Your Name, Department
% Al Hada Hospital
P.O. Box 1347
Taif, Saudi Arabia
You can get a private mail box at the Community Center
Do NOT bring video tapes, or you will be delayed in customs while they review them. Have these mailed to you
at a later time.
PLEASE INFORM PS&S ABOUT YOUR DEPARTURE DATE AND ARRIVAL
DATE. WE MUST TELL THE HOSPITAL WHEN YOU ARE ARRIVING SO SOMEONE WILL BE THERE
TO MEET YOU.
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