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[newfact]

Hello everyone,

A friend of mine has offered a position at a Saudi university. He has diabetes 2 and thus he is worried that he may not qualify for a working visa because of his diabetes. He is actually physically fit and I think he will not have problems executing his job duties. I promised him to do my best in helping him with what ever information I can get. Unfortunately, I could not find any relevant information on the web. Could you please share your experience and thoughts regarding such issue? Thank you very much.

NewFact

[reener06]

I've never heard of diabetes affecting a visa, but I could be wrong. Go to the American Diabetes Association website-they will either have information about this or have a contact number or email you can use to ask. Their legal section is particularly helpful if someone is denied their rights under the ADA.

And it's Type II or Type 2 diabetes, not diabetes 2. Sorry, there's just enough confusion about the two types already.

[notaprof]

First, the ADA does not apply to other countries.  However, I too have never heard of a visa being denied for a non contagious ailment.  Where did the friend get this idea?  Has he contacted the visa department of his nearest consulate or embassy.  A quick check of the visa instructions show that a medical report is required for an employment visa but only to show that the person is free of infectious diseases.  Your friend may have trouble getting insurance that will provide coverage but the visa should not be a problem due to diabetes.

[tiwa1]

Well, I remember you will need to do some tests and submit the results to the Saudi embassy before visa is issued. On arrival, at least at kfupm, you will undergo the same tests plus the malaria parasite test. The tests are HIV, and herpatitis B and C. People were returned to their countries or denied entry visa if they tested positive to any of those three. Anyone having malaria is quarantined and treated before he is allowed to mix with the community.
Anyway, that was several years ago, I don't know the new rule since I left.

[tiwa1]

Your friend may have trouble getting insurance that will provide coverage but the visa should not be a problem due to diabetes.

In Saudi Arabia, there are many good government hospitals including teaching hospitals that render free medical services. Moreover, many universities have their own hospitals free to their staff. You will hardly need any insurance coverage.

[newfact]

First, the ADA does not apply to other countries.  However, I too have never heard of a visa being denied for a non contagious ailment.  Where did the friend get this idea?  Has he contacted the visa department of his nearest consulate or embassy.  A quick check of the visa instructions show that a medical report is required for an employment visa but only to show that the person is free of infectious diseases.  Your friend may have trouble getting insurance that will provide coverage but the visa should not be a problem due to diabetes.

He heard that KSA has very tough medical examination requirements that also include a test for blood sugar. He also has seen a medical form (required by Saudi Embassy) that must be filled by a doctor and this form includes a question about fasting blood sugar test result (whether normal or not). Based on that, he became worried that his fasting blood sugar test will reveal his diabetes and thus may not be qualified for working visa based on that.

[newfact]

Well, I remember you will need to do some tests and submit the results to the Saudi embassy before visa is issued. On arrival, at least at kfupm, you will undergo the same tests plus the malaria parasite test. The tests are HIV, and herpatitis B and C. People were returned to their countries or denied entry visa if they tested positive to any of those three. Anyone having malaria is quarantined and treated before he is allowed to mix with the community.
Anyway, that was several years ago, I don't know the new rule since I left.

These are the tests required (see: http://www.hziegler.com/locations/middle-east/saudi-arabia/articles/visa-process-for-saudi-arabia-for-canadians.html)

1. HIV;
2. RPR/Syphilis;
3. Hepatitis B antigen;
4. Hepatitis B antibody;
5. Hepatitis C;
6. Blood counts and screening profile (this includes: random glucose (used to diagnose diabetes), creatinine, phosphate, urate, albumin, alkaline phosphate, AST, total bilirubin, total protein and cholesterol);
7. Chest x-ray (if you completed a chest-x-ray within 12 months of your intended departure date, your old test result can be used, and it will not be necessary to repeat this exam);
8. Urinalysis (can reveal diabetes).

So diabetes test is actually required BUT the question is whether it is enough reason to reject granting working visa to KSA? Any idea?

[reener06]

Well, I remember you will need to do some tests and submit the results to the Saudi embassy before visa is issued. On arrival, at least at kfupm, you will undergo the same tests plus the malaria parasite test. The tests are HIV, and herpatitis B and C. People were returned to their countries or denied entry visa if they tested positive to any of those three. Anyone having malaria is quarantined and treated before he is allowed to mix with the community.
Anyway, that was several years ago, I don't know the new rule since I left.

These are the tests required (see: http://www.hziegler.com/locations/middle-east/saudi-arabia/articles/visa-process-for-saudi-arabia-for-canadians.html)

On the link you provided, it states that if your doctor marks anything abnormal (for example, that you have diabetes) you need to provide documentation from the doctor that you are in good health/condition and that your medical condition will not adversely affect your ability to work. A quick google search shows that for someone getting a British visa, this included documentation of the hemoglobin A1c test (although this was for a Type 1) and documentation from the doctor stating the diabetes was in good control.

1. HIV;
2. RPR/Syphilis;
3. Hepatitis B antigen;
4. Hepatitis B antibody;
5. Hepatitis C;
6. Blood counts and screening profile (this includes: random glucose (used to diagnose diabetes), creatinine, phosphate, urate, albumin, alkaline phosphate, AST, total bilirubin, total protein and cholesterol);
7. Chest x-ray (if you completed a chest-x-ray within 12 months of your intended departure date, your old test result can be used, and it will not be necessary to repeat this exam);
8. Urinalysis (can reveal diabetes).

So diabetes test is actually required BUT the question is whether it is enough reason to reject granting working visa to KSA? Any idea?

[tiwa1]

Yes, the list is probably correct. The rules are very ephemeral. They change within short durations. Any new health minister can bring up his own set of rules . However, the key issues may be the same. I know they have always been particular about hepatitis and HIV. I know some guys that were repatriated for having hepatitis and I know some that were left to continue even though they tested positive to hepatitis. I don't think diabetics is seen is in such light. It probably will not affect granting the visa. That should be the least of your friend's worry.
If you want I may ask one of my friends who are still working over there.

[newfact]

If you want I may ask one of my friends who are still working over there.

Tiwa, I will highly appreciate it if you can do that. It will be very helpful. Particularly, anyone who is diabetic and had been granted working visa to KSA will relief the stress and worries of my friend. Thanks a lot for that.

[reener06]

Ok, so yesterday I tried to post but it never took, just the quote I was trying to use. I looked at the link the OP provided, and further down it states that if you have a medical condition like diabetes, you need to provide documentation from your doctor that it is under control and will not prevent you from working. A quick google search of visas and diabetes turned up a similar case for someone in Britain, who had to show that their A1C was at a good level (although they were Type 1, so that in particular may not apply to Type II). Because diabetes is not contagious, it seems more likely that they want assurance they the person is under good control.

[tiwa1]

Hello newfact,

From the information I received, people are not denied entry visa for having diabetis. I don't know anyone who is diabetic though.

[newfact]

Hello newfact,

From the information I received, people are not denied entry visa for having diabetis. I don't know anyone who is diabetic though.

Thanks Tiwa. Highly appreciated. "From the information I received,people are not denied entry visa for having diabetis". I hope you are talking specifically about entry visa to KSA. Are not you? Thanks againg

[tiwa1]

I hope you are talking specifically about entry visa to KSA.

Yes, entry visa into KSA.

[newfact]

I hope you are talking specifically about entry visa to KSA.

Yes, entry visa into KSA.

Thank you very much Tiwa. I highly appreciated your help.