What is the hold up?

The iqama is still not ready. It means we cannot purchase a car. We are wasting money on rental cars for the past six weeks and counting. Without an iqama, we cannot get housing in Saudi Arabia. Everything is dependent on the iqama. Without an iqama, wives and children cannot come over to join their husbands. I was an exception because I am pregnant; but imagine if I wasn't granted a visa. I'd be stuck apart from my husband for the duration of the pregnancy.

We are going into the 6th month of this process. C'mon. Absolutely unacceptable. I've heard it takes an average of 3 months to get this done. Mostly delays come from the Saudi side, with their Inshallah attitude, but I know in this case it is the company. Reps at the company are now not responding to people's repeated, and increasingly panicked, attempts to get information. A few guys gave up their passport to a visiting company rep seven days ago-- he had promised to return the passport with the iqama the very next day. One week later, these guys are pretty worried. You can't just be walking around Saudi without a passport or an iqama. They have no identity in the eyes of the govt.

The most ridiculous thing is, the 30-days comp'd relocation housing has come and gone. We are now paying for the hotel. But, is it our fault we are staying in a hotel? No. We don't have a choice because we don't have the iqama. I say, if we don't have choices due to the ineffectualism of the company, the company must pay! I say, the company must pay for the rental car as well! If the necessary documents were provided for us in a timely manner, we would have housing and transportation already!