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Petro Rabigh

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Zaig
  1/14/2015 23:47 EST

Can anyone comment on Petro Rabigh
I feel like it's a sister company of ARAMCO, with the intention of cheep manpower & max production. Not sure if that is true, it just my personal feeling,
looks like they don't provide housing, schooling for children they give a fixed amount based on salaries. The allowance may not be enough to rent expat compound or western school. they do not garenty expat compound (maybe they don't have expat compound in Rabigh / KAEC)
They don't even provide family visas for your family. Family visa you have to manage on your own after you get your AQAMA & that takes about 2 months so in reality it may take 6-8 months to bring family in Saudi Arabia
However with ARAMCO your & your family visa gets processed at the same time and you can bring your family with you from the day one, your housing & schooling for kids are pre arranged.

I am not sure if I am getting real impression of Petro Rabigh.
I will appreciate if someone can share their on boarding experience

harry76
  1/15/2015 08:38 EST

It is a downstream business of Aramco, no doubt there. It is a listed company on the saudi stock exchange so you can look it up if you need more information on the company per se.
If your offer from Petro Rabigh includes housing, then housing is provided by the company. If it includes a school allowance for your kids, then that too is taken care of. They have a community of their own here in Rabigh, for its employees. If you are entitled to company housing, you will get a place to stay either in the community or KAEC. If not, that too will be made clear at the time of receiving your offer. You need to clarify that if it is not mentioned.

Visa for family is not necessarily in their Petro Rabigh's hands - it depends on the issuing Saudi authority in your home country from where you are applying. However, as for the paper work required from Petro Rabigh's end, they are reasonably prompt in providing whatever is required.

That said, Petro Rabigh is no ARAMCO. You have to understand this is a joint venture between a japanese company & ARAMCO, so some differences will obviously exist.

If you are coming to work for Petro Rabigh through a contractor, then none of what I have mentioned above is applicable. It all depends on the contracting company that is making you the offer. You need to sort out these issues with that specific manpower company hiring you & bringing you to Saudi Arabia to work for Petro Rabigh.

Hope that helps!

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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Zaig
  2/27/2015 22:27 EST

Thanks Harry
Those were really good information, I have verified from Petro Rabigh
They are providing compound in Rabigh / KAEC and they are covering 100% schooling for up to 2 children.
Being stock listed company it should be as good as SAUDI ARAMCO or even better.

Any idea up to what stage KAEC development is? Does it have some shopping complex and hospitals?

Zaig
  3/14/2015 02:35 EST

Can anyone suggest what are the rent of 3-4 bedroom apartments with central AC looks like in Rabigh and in KAEC?

Do we have some newly constructed apartments in RABIG?

At what stage the KAEC Development is? I am trying to find some details on internet, not much luck.

your response is highly appreciated

harry76
  3/14/2015 11:33 EST

Not sure what the rents are in KAEC. In general, unless the company is paying for your housing, I would not recommend KAEC.
KAEC development is quite slow (don't get carried away by their website).

In Rabigh, a fully furnished 2-bedroom apartment goes for approx. 20K SAR per annum (rent). Not sure how much a 3/4 bedroom apartment would cost, but that should give you some idea. Check expatriate.com, for classifieds & rental Ads.

harry76
  3/14/2015 11:33 EST

Not sure what the rents are in KAEC. In general, unless the company is paying for your housing, I would not recommend KAEC.
KAEC development is quite slow (don't get carried away by their website).

In Rabigh, a fully furnished 2-bedroom apartment goes for approx. 20K SAR per annum (rent). Not sure how much a 3/4 bedroom apartment would cost, but that should give you some idea. Check expatriate.com, for classifieds & rental Ads.

William RussellWilliam Russell
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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Zaig
  3/15/2015 02:12 EST

Thanks for your reply Harry
Does Rabigh town has modern apartments? So far what I am seeing on the web site is Rabigh has old style apartments / house. Looks like I am unable to get true picture of Rabigh Town? Is that true?

BrianD
  3/23/2015 20:03 EST

Hi Zaig,

I too am mobilizing to Petro Rabigh next week. My experience is similar to yours and I am concerned about schooling and apartments. Are you in KSA yet? Have you looked at any apartments?

I don't think Rabigh is a good option to live. I also heard that the Rabigh Compound is full.

Please contact me at [email protected]

thanks,

Brian

panaka
  7/7/2015 17:16 EST

Hello,

Any updates on the housing? looks like I will be moving soon. Still on the contract and visa stage but the things you guys said here are a little bit discouraging. I was expecting everything to be organized.

Moving from Canada. Single.

TheFalcon
  10/18/2015 12:00 EST

Hi All- Any word on the options and cost for housing in KAEC.

Panaka; don't know if you already made it to Rabigh?

let's keep the info coming...

XpattoSA
  8/3/2016 08:42 EST

Has any one of you been to Petro Rabigh compound? How is the accommodation and schooling quality in the compound?
Thanks

William RussellWilliam Russell
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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harry76
  8/4/2016 14:00 EST

Accomodation is nothing great. The premises is more than 30 years old with very little maintenance & upkeep.

Unless you intend having your kids join an arabic medium school, there is no school in the Petro Rabigh compound.

Good luck!

harry76
  8/4/2016 14:00 EST

Accomodation is nothing great. The premises is more than 30 years old with very little maintenance & upkeep.

Unless you intend having your kids join an arabic medium school, there is no school in the Petro Rabigh compound.

Good luck!

londonhs
  8/4/2016 17:04 EST

next best school for Petro Rabigh area is at King Abdullah Economic City (I think about 30km away) called GEM School there

DavidCam
  10/20/2016 02:52 EST

Hi Panaka and others,

I guess you have now started your new job with PRC. Could you please give me an idea of the steps and time line that you went through after signing the offer letter? A little bit of what each step entails would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
David

harry76
  10/20/2016 15:14 EST

The HR rep who gave you the offer letter to sign should be able to give you a realistic idea of how long it would take. If you were hired from NA/Europe, it could take somewhere from 3/6 months from the time of signing till you actually get to PRC. In some cases it takes longer, but that can't be helped.

Typically, the HR rep would put you in touch with a visa agent in your home country, who would guide you on the necessary paper work needed for the visa. You might have to pay for the fees/etc upfront to the visa agent (as incurred) & after you get to PRC, you can claim visa expenses from the company. However, if you can get the agent to claim all fees directly from the company for the services provided, I would highly recommend that.

Good luck!

harry76
  10/20/2016 15:14 EST

The HR rep who gave you the offer letter to sign should be able to give you a realistic idea of how long it would take. If you were hired from NA/Europe, it could take somewhere from 3/6 months from the time of signing till you actually get to PRC. In some cases it takes longer, but that can't be helped.

Typically, the HR rep would put you in touch with a visa agent in your home country, who would guide you on the necessary paper work needed for the visa. You might have to pay for the fees/etc upfront to the visa agent (as incurred) & after you get to PRC, you can claim visa expenses from the company. However, if you can get the agent to claim all fees directly from the company for the services provided, I would highly recommend that.

Good luck!

DavidCam
  10/20/2016 16:57 EST

Thanks for your response. It's very helpful. I was thinking pre-employment medical would be the next stage after accepting PRC offer followed by visa application. Does this sound right?

David

AdelMarie
  11/28/2016 04:50 EST

Hi. Can any1 pls give me info on the compound living, we are moving by husband got a job at petro rabigh

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