visa travel saudi arabia

Update April 12, 2024

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Saudi Arabia

Travel Advisory January 24, 2024

Saudi arabia - level 3: reconsider travel.

Updated after periodic review to provide information on the risk of arrest due to social media use and the importation of prohibited items.

Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to  the threat of missile and drone attacks.   Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to  terrorism, the risk of arrest based on social media activity, and importation of prohibited items.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to the following locations due to the threat of  missile and drone attacks  and  terrorism :

• Within 50 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border, as well as the cities of Abha, Jizan, Najran, and Khamis Mushayt;
• Abha airport;
• Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah.

Country Summary : U.S. government personnel under Chief of Mission responsibility must adhere to the above travel restrictions.  As such, the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these locations.

Missile and drone attacks perpetrated by Iran and Iran-supported militant groups have occurred as recently as September 2023.  The Islamic Republic of Iran has in the past supplied Yemen-based Houthis and regional proxy groups with weapons to conduct destructive and sometimes lethal attacks using drones, missiles, and rockets against a variety of Saudi sites, including critical infrastructure, civilian airports, military bases, and energy facilities throughout the country, as well as vessels in Red Sea shipping lanes.  Past attacks were aimed at targets throughout Saudi Arabia including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, Jizan, Khamis Mushayt, the civilian airport in Abha, Al Kharj, military installations in the south, as well as oil and gas facilities.

Debris from intercepted drones and missiles has also represented a significant risk to civilian areas and populations in the recent past.  Militant groups have threatened to conduct attacks against locations in Saudi Arabia.  U.S. citizens living and working near military bases and critical civilian infrastructure, particularly near the border with Yemen, are at heightened risk if missile, drone, or rocket attacks reoccur.

Terrorism continues to be a concern in Saudi Arabia.  Attacks can occur with little or no warning.  Past attacks have targeted tourist locations, large gatherings, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.  Terrorists are also known to time attacks around major holidays and/or in response to military operations.  Terrorists have targeted both Saudi and international interests, mosques and other religious sites (both Sunni and Shia), and places frequented by U.S. citizens.

Be advised that social media commentary – including past comments – which Saudi authorities may deem critical, offensive, or disruptive to public order, could lead to arrest .  This may include posting, re-posting, or liking comments about Saudi institutions, policies, and public life.  U.S. citizens have been convicted for social media activity under Saudi laws concerning cybercrime, terrorism, and disrupting public order.  Punishment for social media activity has included prison sentences of up to 45 years in some cases.  Saudi courts do not necessarily consider the timeframe of the posts or the location from which they were made to be material to these cases.

The importation of drugs (including marijuana), drug paraphernalia, alcohol, weapons, pork, or any materials that could be considered pornographic or suggestive, is prohibited.   Penalties for drug possession, consumption, and trafficking are severe by U.S. standards.  An extensive list of banned items is available on our Saudi Arabia country information page .

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region, including Saudi Arabia, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an advisory Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM).  For more information U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices .

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Saudi Arabia.

If you decide to travel to Saudi Arabia:

• Visit our website for information on  travel to high-risk areas .
• Stay alert in large crowds and/or locations frequented by foreign nationals.
• Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
• Review local laws and conditions before traveling, including our Saudi Arabia country information on arrest notification and the Department of State’s general information on arrests of U.S. citizens abroad .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report   for Saudi Arabia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Yemen Border, Abha airport, and Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Militants in Yemen have attacked Saudi border towns and other sites in Saudi Arabia with armed drones, missiles, and rockets .  Civilians that are near the border with Yemen are especially at risk.   Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Saudi Arabia, including in Qatif.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens within 50 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border as U.S. government personnel and their families are restricted from travel to this area.

Visit our website for information on  travel to high-risk areas

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter or exit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A minimum of six months’ validity beyond the date of travel is recommended.

One page required for entry stamp.

Required for certain visa classes

More than 16,000 USD must be declared. Customs details are here .

Embassies and Consulates

The normal work week in Saudi Arabia is Sunday through Thursday.

U.S. Embassy Riyadh Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah As Sahmi Street Roundbaout no. 9, Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Telephone: (966) (11) 488-3800 Emergency Telephone: (966) (11) 488-3800 Fax: (966) (11) 488-7670 [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Jeddah Al Safa Street, Al Muhammadiyah District, near the new American School building. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Telephone: (966) (12) 220-5000 Fax: (966) (12) 220-5093 [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Dhahran Off King Saud bin Abdulaziz Road, at the corner of Salaheddin al Ayoubi Street and Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Street, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Telephone:   (966) (13) 839-5700 Emergency Telephone:   (966) (13) 839-5700 Fax:   (966) (13) 330-6816 [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

See the  Embassy of Saudi Arabia’s website  for visa information.

COVID-19 Requirements: There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens.

For residency permit-holders (iqama), an exit/reentry permit is required to leave Saudi Arabia as well as six month’s validity on your passport to request an exit/reentry permit.

• Saudi law requires that residency permit-holders carry their residency card (iqama) at all times while in the Kingdom. Failure to do so could result in a fine of 3,000 Saudi riyals and a jail sentence of six weeks.
• Females and minors may require a male guardian’s permission to leave the country, including U.S. citizens or dual-nationals.
• You must exit Saudi Arabia using the passport for the nationality corresponding to the one on which you entered Saudi Arabia.

Saudi law requires all Saudi citizens to enter and depart the country with a Saudi travel document. If you enter the country on a Saudi laissez-passer (temporary travel document), you may encounter difficulty leaving the Kingdom.

Saudi embassies do not have the authority to adjudicate citizenship claims or issue passports, but they may issue a laissez-passer for presumed Saudi citizens for whom citizenship has not been adjudicated, such as children of a Saudi parent or parents who were married outside of Saudi Arabia. Once admitted to Saudi Arabia on a laissez-passer, the traveler must obtain a Saudi passport before leaving the country. Saudi nationality is not conferred quickly or easily, and the processing time for a Saudi passport in these cases has often been six months or years in some cases. Obtaining a U.S. passport will not help, as you will not be able to leave Saudi Arabia without an exit visa which will not be granted if you entered as a Saudi citizen.

The Department strongly recommends that U.S. citizens enter Saudi Arabia on a U.S. passport and Saudi visa, and not a laissez-passer.

Length of Stay:  Bearers of tourist visas are generally admitted for a 90-day stay and may not remain in the Kingdom more than 180 days in a twelve month period. Carefully check your visa validity and length of stay granted, and clarify any questions on permitted length of stay with Saudi immigration officials on arrival. Dates are calculated in accordance with the Hijri calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar.

If you overstay your visa, you could face significant fines, detention, and/or deportation, and a ban from returning to Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. Embassy is unable to intercede, reduce fines, or prevent incarceration if you violate Saudi law.

Travel Bans:  When placed under a travel ban, you cannot exit the country, even if you are a U.S. citizen or a dual U.S.-Saudi citizen. Travel bans are rigidly enforced and can take months or even years to resolve. Only Saudi Arabian authorities and sponsors can remove travel bans.

The government may issue travel bans on people who are/have:

• charged with criminal offenses;
• under investigation;
• involved in financial or labor disputes;
• failed to report to work according to the terms of the contract (absconded);
• unpaid debts or who have passed bad checks.

The list above is not exhaustive. Private Saudi citizens may also initiate travel bans against foreign citizens for various reasons.

Residency Permits:  If you are seeking residency in Saudi Arabia, make sure you have all required legal documents authenticated before arriving. Neither the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh nor the U.S. Consulates General in Jeddah or Dhahran can provide this service.

You should have all U.S. issued documents authenticated by the  Department of State Office of Authentications  (202-485-8000) and attested by the  Embassy of Saudi Arabia  in Washington D.C.

Work Visas: If you plan on working in Saudi Arabia, you must obtain a work visa before you arrive. Foreigners working in Saudi Arabia are subject to the country’s sponsorship system, which concedes substantial legal authority over the worker to the employer. This can include the ability to prevent the employee from leaving the country. American citizens considering working in Saudi Arabia should carefully review the information about employment in the “Local Laws and Special Circumstances” section below.

If the visitor or business visa has been annotated “not permitted to work,” you are not allowed to legally work in Saudi Arabia. You risk substantial financial penalties, detention, deportation, and a ban from returning to Saudi Arabia if you work without legal permission. Additionally, without a work visa, there would be no legal grounds to pursue a case against an employer should a dispute arise.

HIV/AIDS:  To obtain work and residence permits, you are required to obtain a medical report or physical examination confirming that you are free from contagious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. If you test positive for HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, you will not be allowed to work in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has not imposed HIV/AIDS or hepatitis travel restrictions on other categories of travelers. Please inquire directly with the  Embassy of Saudi Arabia  before you travel.

Vaccinations:  Visitors to Saudi Arabia should check vaccination requirements on the  Saudi Ministry of Health website.

Yemen Travel:  The Department strongly advises U.S. citizens against travel to Yemen due to the ongoing conflict in that country. See our  Yemen Travel Advisory  for further information. A visa is required to enter Saudi Arabia, and Saudi authorities generally do not permit foreign citizens to enter Saudi Arabia using land border crossings from Yemen. The Embassy and Consulates General cannot provide assistance to U.S. citizens seeking to cross the Yemeni-Saudi border.

Safety and Security

The Department of State advises you to exercise increased caution when traveling to Saudi Arabia due to terrorism and the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian targets. See the Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia here .

Do not travel:

• Within 50 miles of the border with Yemen due to terrorism and armed conflict.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Saudi Arabia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Terrorists have targeted both Saudi and Western government interests, mosques and other religious sites (both Sunni and Shia), and places frequented by U.S. citizens and other Westerners.

Houthis operating in Yemen have fired long-range missiles into Saudi Arabia, specifically targeting populated areas and civilian infrastructure; they have publicly stated their intent to continue doing so. Missile attacks have targeted major cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, Riyadh’s international airport, Saudi Aramco facilities, and vessels in Red Sea shipping lanes. Rebel groups are also in possession of unmanned aerial systems (UASs or drones) which they have used to target civilian infrastructure and military facilities in Saudi Arabia. U.S. citizens living and working on or near such installations, particularly in areas near the border with Yemen, are at heightened risk of missile and drone attack.

On October 11, 2018 the Saudi General Authority for Civil Aviation issued a Notice to Airmen about threats to civil aviation and airports in Saudi Arabia posed by missiles and UASs launched from Yemen. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the U.S. Government’s Defense Internet NOTAM Service (Type “OEJD” in the search field, then click “View NOTAMs,” then scroll down to W0438/18 and click to view).

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the following locations as U.S. government personnel and their families are restricted from travel to:

• Within 50 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border, including the cities of Jizan and Najran;
• Qatif in the Eastern province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah.

You can find additional details relating to safety and security in our Travel Advisory and Alerts and the website of the U.S. Mission in Saudi Arabia .

Crime: Crime in Saudi Arabia has increased over recent years but remains at levels far below most major metropolitan areas in the United States.

• You should be aware of your surroundings, keep valuables out of sight and secure, and travel with a companion, if possible.
• Some Saudi citizens who perceive that a foreigner is not observing conservative standards of conduct or dress have been known to harass, pursue, or assault that person.
• Even when released from detention, witnesses to criminal incidents may be prohibited from leaving the country until investigation of the incident is complete.

See the websites of the Department of State  and the  FBI for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, you should contact the local police at “999” and contact the Embassy in Riyadh or one of the Consulates in Jeddah or Dhahran.Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See the Department of State’s webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

The Department can:

• help you identify appropriate medical care;
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police;
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent;
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms;
• provide a list of local attorneys;
• provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S. ;
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution;
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home;
• replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence: If you are the victim of any form of physical violence, including domestic violence, you should contact the Saudi police by calling “999”.  In addition, victims of domestic violence can contact the Saudi National Domestic Violence Hotline by dialing “1919.” The Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development runs a network of shelters for women and children. Contacting the domestic violence hotline (“1919”) is the only way to access these shelters. The Saudi National Family Safety Program also runs a Child Help Line “116111” and can assist children in accessing Saudi social services.

When reporting domestic violence, it is imperative to get a case reference number as all Saudi social and legal assistance is tied to this case number. It is also a good idea to document any injuries and obtain a copy of any medical reports. U.S. citizens should be advised that filing a police report or utilizing any Saudi victims’ assistance services may result in the Saudi authorities informing your sponsor or guardian.

U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy or Consulates for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Dual Citizenship: Saudi Arabia generally does not recognize dual nationality. Saudi law requires Saudi citizens to obtain official permission from the government before obtaining a second nationality. At times, Saudi authorities have confiscated the passports of U.S. citizens applying for Saudi citizenship. This does not constitute loss of U.S. citizenship. If this happens to you or someone you know, report the incident to the U.S. Embassy.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or consulate immediately. Be aware that Saudi Arabia generally restricts consular notification of the arrest of foreigners to the Embassy of the country that issued the travel document used to enter the Kingdom. If you enter Saudi Arabia with a Saudi travel document, or with the passport of a country other than the United States, it will be extremely difficult for the U.S. Embassy to provide consular services if you are subsequently detained. Persons detained in Saudi Arabia may be held without charges for lengthy periods and denied access to counsel; dual citizens may not have consular assistance. See the Embassy’s webpage for further information.

Drones: The importation of drones for commercial or personal use is prohibited without prior approval from the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA). A customs clearance certificate authorizing importation can be obtained as part of the GACA approval process. Visit GACA’s website for further information.

Criminal Penalties: While in Saudi Arabia, you are subject to local laws. If you violate Saudi laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled; arrested; imprisoned; held without trial for lengthy periods of time; interrogated without counsel; subject to corporal punishments, including lashings; or executed.

Penalties for the import, manufacture, possession, and consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs in Saudi Arabia are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences, heavy fines, public floggings, and deportation. The penalty for drug trafficking is death. Furthermore, some laws are prosecutable in the United States regardless of local law. For examples, see our webpage on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website .

There are substantial limitations on freedom of speech and political expression in Saudi Arabia. For additional information see the Department of State’s Human Rights Report for Saudi Arabia .

Faith-Related Travel Issues: Islam is the official religion of the country and is present in all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia. See our Hajj and Umrah Fact Sheet .

• Saudi authorities do not permit criticism of Islam or Muslim religious figures, including on social media.
• The government prohibits the public practice of religions other than Islam. Non-Muslims suspected of violating these restrictions have been jailed and/or deported. Church services in private homes have been raided, and participants have been jailed and/or deported.
• Muslims who do not adhere to the strict interpretation of Islam prevalent in much of Saudi Arabia may encounter societal discrimination and constraints on public worship.
• Public display of non-Islamic religious articles, such as crosses and Bibles, is not permitted.
• Non-Muslims are forbidden to travel to Mecca and parts of Medina, the cities where two of Islam’s holiest mosques are located.
• See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report .

LGBTI Travelers: Same-sex sexual relations, even when consensual, are criminalized in Saudi Arabia. Violations of Saudi laws governing perceived expressions of, or support for, same-sex sexual relations, including on social media, may be subject to severe punishment. Potential penalties include fines, jail time, or death. See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of the Department of State's Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what is generally found in the United States. Saudi law does not prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities, and there is no legislation requiring public accessibility. Newer commercial and government buildings, however, often include such access. According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, there are numerous government-sponsored centers for people with disabilities. Note that Saudi Arabia has limited infrastructure to care for those with mental disabilities.

Students: See the Department’s Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Residents and Travelers: Married women, including non-Saudis, require their husband's permission to depart the country, while unmarried women and children require the permission of their father or male guardian.

Minor children must have their father’s permission in order to leave the Kingdom. Children visiting their fathers in Saudi Arabia, even when there is a custody agreement, can be prevented from leaving unless the father consents. This is true even if the child is an American citizen. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates cannot obtain exit visas for the departure of minor children without their father/guardian's permission.

If a foreigner and a Saudi living in Saudi Arabia divorce, Saudi courts rarely grant permission for the foreign parent to leave the country with the children born during the marriage, even if he or she has been granted physical custody.

Foreign mothers of Saudi children, who are divorced or widowed, may apply for a permanent residency permit(iqama) without the need for a sponsor. To do so, they must prove maternity and that they were legally married to the Saudi father.

Also see the Department’s travel tips for Women Travelers .

Employment: The Arabic text of a contract governs employment and business arrangements under Saudi law. Verbal assurances or side letters are not binding under Saudi law. In the event of any contract dispute, Saudi authorities refer to the written contract.

• Sponsors have wide latitude and responsibilities for employees and family members under their sponsorship, including obtaining residence permits for the employee and for any family members.
• All residents should be issued a Saudi residence permit (iqama) and are legally required to carry it at all times.
• The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in Saudi Arabia cannot sponsor private U.S. citizens for Saudi visas.
• Sponsors have been known to demand that residents working in Saudi Arabia surrender their passports while in the Kingdom. Such practices are illegal and should be reported to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development .
• Since the Saudi sponsor controls the issuance of exit permits, U.S. citizens may be prevented by the sponsor from leaving Saudi Arabia in the event of a labor or business dispute, which could take months or years to resolve.
• To change employers within the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia requires the written permission of the original sponsoring employer.
• The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General cannot assist in labor or business disputes, nor can they provide translation or legal services.
• U.S. consular officers can provide lists of local attorneys to help U.S. citizens settle business disputes, but ultimate responsibility for the resolution of disputes through the Saudi legal system, and payment for those services, lies with the parties involved. For additional information on Saudi labor law, please refer to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development’s webpage .
• Saudi customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the importation of such banned items as alcohol, weapons, and any item that is held to be contrary to the tenets of Islam (such as pork, anything considered pornographic under strict Islamic principles, and religious materials).
• Imported and domestic audiovisual media and reading matter are censored.
• Christmas and other holiday decorations, fashion magazines, and "suggestive" videos may be confiscated and the owner subject to penalties and fines.
• Electronic devices may be subject to inspection upon entry or exit. Please see the Department’s Customs Information page as well as the Saudi Customs webpage.

Importing Animals: The Saudi Ministry of Agriculture must approve all pets imported into Saudi Arabia.

• Cats and dogs entering Saudi Arabia require a Veterinary Health Certificate and a dated letter from the veterinary practitioner addressed to his/her sponsor to obtain the necessary approval from the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Both documents must be authenticated by the Department of Agriculture Veterinary Service Office and the State Department's Authentications Office and attested by the Embassy of Saudi Arabia .
• The certificate must indicate that the animal was examined and is free from disease and confirm that rabies and other vaccines are current. Information on the name, breed, sex, color, and age of the animal must also be stated.
• Please see additional information on taking a pet overseas .

Teaching English in Saudi Arabia: In recent years, increasing numbers of American language teachers have experienced contractual and other problems. Some teachers have complained about arbitrary dismissals, difficult living conditions, salary arrears, unwanted reassignments, restrictions on their movement, and inability to leave the country. Prospective teachers in Saudi Arabia should vet their potential employer and carefully review their employment offer as well as the detailed information found in the Embassy’s Guide to Teaching English in Saudi Arabia . Additionally, prospective teachers should also take care to make sure that they obtain the appropriate work visa prior to coming to Saudi Arabia. The Embassy cannot help you if you violate Saudi labor law.

Standards of Conduct and Religious Police: Norms for public behavior in Saudi Arabia are extremely conservative. Both the uniformed police and the religious police, referred to colloquially as the mutawwa or al-hay’a, are charged with enforcing these standards.

• Mutawwa are required to carry special identification and usually are accompanied by uniformed police.
• While a 2016 government decree withdrew the authority of the mutawwa to make arrests independently of regular police forces, visitors should be prudent in their interactions with mutawwa.
• An individual must, if requested, present his/her residence permit (iqama) or other identification to the mutawwa or the police.
• U.S. citizens who are involved in an incident with the mutawwa should report the incident to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the U.S. Consulates General in Jeddah or Dhahran.

In most areas of Saudi Arabia, and particularly in Riyadh and the central part of the Kingdom, women wear a full-length covering known as an abaya. Most women in conservative areas also cover their hair with a hijab for modesty, and many also cover their faces with a niqab.

Tourists are expected to dress modestly in public, avoiding tight fitting clothing or clothes with profane language or images; women are not required to wear abayas or cover their hair but are expected to cover their shoulders and knees, and men should not go without a shirt. Women who choose not to conform to Saudi Arabia’s dress code face a risk of confrontation by mutawwa, negative or hostile comments by Saudi citizens, and possible detention Guidelines on public decorum for tourists are available at the Saudi government’s official tourism website, www.visitsaudi.com. Many areas of life in Saudi Arabia are segregated by sex to ensure that unrelated men and women have no possibility of mingling (a punishable crime) by unmarried men and women. Less frequently, members of the mutawwa try to enforce this by asking for proof that a couple is married or related. Men and women detained for socializing with individuals who are not relatives may be charged with moral crimes such as khulwa (mixing with unrelated members of the opposite sex). Less frequently, some restaurants may refuse to serve women who are not accompanied by a close male relative In addition, a few restaurants or cafes do not have a "family section" in which women are permitted to eat. Men not accompanied by a close female family member are not allowed to enter family sections and cannot use services (such as registers at supermarkets) designated as “family.” These restrictions are not always clearly posted.

While there are now movie theaters, musical concerts, and artistic performances in Saudi Arabia, the country remains socially conservative. Social media postings which contravene cultural standards can have legal and/or criminal consequences.

Photography: The Saudi government does not permit photography of governmental facilities, such as military bases and government buildings, nor military, security, or police personnel. The Saudi government is also sensitive to photographs that may be perceived as portraying the country in an unfavorable light. This policy can include photos of mosques, impoverished areas, the local population, and traditional souks (markets). You should not take anyone’s picture without clear consent, and never take a picture of a woman or a place where women congregate. Be aware of local sensitivities whenever you are taking pictures in public. U.S. citizens have been routinely detained for violating these policies. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General are unable to intervene if you violate Saudi law.

The Hajj and Umrah: Please review the Department of State’s Hajj and Umrah Fact Sheet for useful information on traveling to perform the Hajj or Umrah.

COVID-19 Testing:  COVID-19 testing is available to U.S. citizens throughout Saudi Arabia at public and private facilities. Private hospitals and clinics charge a fee for COVID-19 testing.  Cost, delivery method, and timing of results varies. Some facilities can electronically deliver results within 24 hours or less.  

COVID-19 Vaccines:  The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizens to receive in Saudi Arabia. For more information, please see the Ministry of Health’s website.

Visit the FDA's website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.

Medical care varies greatly in quality, and high-profile cases of medical malpractice and errors have occurred. Consult your regular physician if you are considering serious medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers in Saudi Arabia accept cash or credit card payments.  See the Department’s webpage for more  information on insurance providers for overseas coverage . Supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation is strongly recommended. If you are covered by Saudi insurance, be sure to read the fine print: local insurance can have exclusions that are unusual in the United States. For example, some local policies may not supply coverage for accidents that occur while engaging in adventure sports, such as riding quad vehicles in the desert, that are a common past-time for expatriates.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the  government of Saudi Arabia  to ensure the medication is legal in Saudi Arabia. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. 

Please note:

• Saudi Arabia has a dry climate with extreme heat several months of the year – travelers should stay hydrated.
• Air pollution is a significant concern in many parts of Saudi Arabia including Riyadh, Al Jubail, Jeddah, and Dammam.
• Many infectious diseases, such as measles, typhoid, dengue, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), are present in Saudi Arabia.

Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For further health information, go to:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   (CDC)
• Saudi Ministry of Health

Medical care varies greatly in quality, and high profile cases of medical malpractice and errors have occurred. Consult your regular physician if you are considering serious medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments.  See our webpage for more  information on insurance providers for overseas coverage . We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. If you are covered by Saudi insurance, be sure to read the fine print: local insurance can have exclusions that are unusual in the United States. For example, some local policies may not supply coverage for accidents that occur while engaging in adventure sports, such as riding quad vehicles in the desert, that are a common past-time for expats.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the  government of Saudi Arabia  to ensure the medication is legal in Saudi Arabia. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

For health-related information on the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), formerly called “novel coronavirus,” visit the  CDC’s MERS-CoV webpage .

Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations   recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Driving in Saudi Arabia can be hazardous due to speeding and aggressive driving, lax enforcement of traffic regulations, and a high volume of traffic.

Beginning on June 24, 2018, women have been able to obtain a driver’s license and can legally drive in Saudi Arabia. With a valid visitor visa and U.S. or international driver’s license, visitors may drive a rental car. However, outside the major cities of Riyadh, Dhahran and Jeddah, visitors—especially women—may experience difficulty renting a car. Female residents with independent sponsorships and U.S. or international driver’s licenses also may obtain a Saudi driver’s license, necessary to drive vehicles other than rental cars. Foreign women residing in Saudi Arabia who are listed as dependents on their Saudi residency permit (“iqama”) may experience difficulties in obtaining Saudi driver’s licenses. To drive vehicles other than rental cars, a Saudi driver’s license, appropriate car registration, and auto insurance are required. Police may detain you if you cannot produce these documents.

See the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior website for further information.

Traffic Laws :

• Temporary visitors may drive using their valid U.S. or international driver's license for up to 90 days.
• Foreigners resident in Saudi Arabia who wish to drive must obtain a local driver's license from the Department of Traffic Police.
• In the event of a traffic accident, U.S. citizens should dial “993” to report the accident. You must remain on the scene until the traffic police arrive. Failure to do so can result in a criminal offense.
• Additionally, U.S. citizens should contact Najm, a private company contracted by the traffic police to complete the accident report (+966 9200 00560).
• In the event of a traffic accident resulting in personal injury, everyone involved (if not seriously injured) is likely be taken to the local police station.
• All drivers, regardless of fault, can be held in custody for several days until responsibility is determined and any reparations paid.
• Use of front seat belts (driver and passenger) is required by law.
• U.S. citizens involved in a serious accident resulting in injury or death should immediately contact their sponsors and the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate.
• Residents should update their personal details through one of the methods available here to receive SMS notifications once a traffic ticket is issued.
• Delay in payment of any ticket might result in doubling of the ticket amount.
• Travelers will need to pay any fines issued through this system before leaving the country.

Public Transportation:

• U.S. Government employees are prohibited from using taxis in Saudi Arabia with the exception of Uber Black in Riyadh, Kareem First in Jeddah, and Majestic taxi service in Dhahran. If you must use a taxi, only use established companies, such as those offering cabs with meters. Taxis and lift services are available throughout major cities, and you should arrange a pickup by telephone or via smartphone app when possible.
• Avoid sitting in the front seat of a taxi, do not travel to unfamiliar areas, and do not enter taxis with unknown passengers.

Please refer to the Department’s Road Safety page for more information. Also, it is recommended that you visit the website of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior .

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Saudi Arabia's Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization aviation safety standards for oversight of Saudi Arabia's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA safety assessment page .

Information for Mariners:

Mariners should also review U.S. maritime alerts and advisories on the Maritime Security Communications with Industry Web Portal .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Saudi Arabia . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Saudi Arabia Invites Tourists: What You Need to Know

For the first time, the conservative kingdom is opening its doors to travelers who want to visit for more than religious reasons. But how ready the country is for foreign tourists is a question.

By Tariro Mzezewa

For the first time, Saudi Arabia is officially opening its doors to tourists interested in visiting the kingdom for more than religious reasons. The ultraconservative Middle Eastern kingdom announced a new e-visa program on Friday that will allow people from 49 countries to enter the country for tourism, for stays as long as three months.

The visa program is an aspect of an economic reform plan introduced by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, to lower the kingdom’s dependence on oil.

“The Saudis already have experience with outsiders coming in as religious tourists, but tourism for culture, ecology, desert — that’s new and it’s part of the project for opening up,” said Bernard Haykel, a scholar at Princeton University who studies the kingdom. “It’s not going to displace oil, but it’s a dent in that direction.”

Visas were previously restricted to expatriates and business people working in the country, and for Muslims traveling to the kingdom for the Hajj , the five-day pilgrimage Muslims from around the world make to follow the Prophet Muhammad’s footsteps and for Umrah, a smaller religious trip.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most conservative countries in the world, adhering to a strict interpretation of Islam, and is considered as particularly harsh to women who are seen as breaking religious rules.

The announcement of the visa program comes one week before the one-year anniversary of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi , a Saudi journalist critical of the government, and during a time when the kingdom’s treatment of women’s rights activists has garnered international condemnation.

Here is what we know about the visa program.

Which countries are part of the visa program?

The program will allow people from 49 countries including the United States, Canada, most European countries and China to travel to the kingdom by applying for a visa ahead of their visit or when they arrive in the country.

People from countries that are not included in the visa program are encouraged on the visa application website to contact the Saudi embassy or consulate closest to them.

How do I get a visa?

People from the 49 countries included in the program who are over 18 can go to visa.visitsaudi.com and register and apply for a visa. They can apply online before the trip or at a kiosk upon arriving in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom says decisions will be made in half an hour. The visa fee is 440 Saudi riyals ($117) and includes a health insurance fee. Applicants under 18 must apply with an adult guardian.

How long is the visa valid?

People with a single entry visa will be allowed to stay in the kingdom for a month and those with multiple entry visas will be allowed to stay for up to three months.

Will the kingdom’s conservative rules apply to tourists?

The tourism site reminds tourists that five times a day, during prayer time, music is turned off in public places and many shops close briefly, and during Ramadan, while Muslims fast from dawn to dusk it is respectful to avoid eating or drinking in public during the day.

Alcohol is illegal in the kingdom and it is illegal to bring alcohol or drugs into the country. The site also notes that “public displays of affection are not consistent with local culture and visitors should also avoid using profane language or gestures.”

Men and women visiting Saudi Arabia are expected to dress conservatively. Women, in particular, are expected to cover shoulders and knees in public.

“One of the obvious issues that will arise is that it is a fairly conservative society,” Mr. Haykel said. “How will Saudis take to outsiders with different norms of dress? How are people going to react to that, especially to women who are not modestly dressed? Lots of tensions could arise around westerners who are dressed immoderately.”

It is unclear what the punishment or fine for breaking rules will be. Visitors to other countries in the Persian Gulf region who have run afoul of cultural norms have been imprisoned .

“The idea is that tourists who are interested in historical sites and visiting the main cities and seeing performances organized by authorities are welcome, but they are not welcome to share knowledge, influence, political thought and analysis,” said Hala Aldosari, a fellow at M.I.T.’s Center for International Studies and an activist from Saudi Arabia. “It is still vague how Saudi Arabia plans to deal with people breaking the rules — will it deport them? Detain and investigate? Torture?”

Will foreign women be allowed to drive?

Last year, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women drivers , and earlier this year, it eased strict guardianship laws , but many of the women’s rights activists who had fought for the right to drive were imprisoned and at least one remains so .

The tourism commission did not specify whether women tourists can drive alone or with a male companion.

Where will tourists be allowed to go in Saudi Arabia?

Only Muslims will be allowed to visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, but the kingdom is promoting a number of its Unesco world heritage sites, including the Mada’in Saleh in Al-Ula, which is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan, and At-Turaif District in Ad-Diriyah, the first capital of the Saudi state.

The kingdom is also encouraging people to visit Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Mecca, Al-Ahsa Oasis and the Hail Region, which has 10,000-year old inscriptions of human and animal figures.

The kingdom’s General Investment Authority and its Commission for Tourism and National Heritage said on Friday that they have development agreements with airlines and hotel and restaurant developers to create tourist-friendly sites, including hotels, a ski slope and snow park, a water park, shopping and entertainment destinations throughout the kingdom.

The Saudi tourism commission also partnered with the World Travel and Tourism Council, the global organization that represents the private sector of the travel and tourism industry, to help make the kingdom a top five inbound destination with 100 million international and domestic visits, by 2030.

Is it easy to get around the country?

The kingdom’s tourism commission said the easiest way to travel is by car and it encourages tourists to rent a car . Car services Uber and Careem, as well as train and bus, are touted on the visitor information website.

Ms. Aldosari cited the financial cost of visiting and difficulties of getting around the country as a possible hindrance for tourists visiting Saudi Arabia.

“Most places in Saudi Arabia are underdeveloped when it comes to infrastructure,” Ms. Aldosari said. “Public restrooms, highways, all these issues can present a challenge for western tourists.”

52 PLACES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Follow our 52 Places traveler, Sebastian Modak, on Instagram as he travels the world , and discover more Travel coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter : Each week you’ll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world.

Tariro Mzezewa is a travel reporter at The New York Times.  More about Tariro Mzezewa

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Saudi Arabia

Entry requirements.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in Saudi Arabia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Saudi Embassy in the UK . 

COVID-19 rules 

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Saudi Arabia.

Passport validity requirements 

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. 

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Previous travel to Israel 

You may not be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia if your passport shows that you have travelled to, or were born, in Israel. 

Visa requirements 

You must get an e-visa or an electronic visa waiver (EVW) either before you travel or on arrival at any of Saudi Arabia’s international airports. The type of e-visa or EVW you choose depends on your reason for travelling and how long you want to stay.

If you overstay your visa, you could face large fines, detention and deportation. You could be banned from returning to Saudi Arabia.  

Applying for an e-visa 

You can apply for an e-visa if you are a tourist. You must get an e-visa to perform Umrah. 

E-visas are: 

• valid for 365 days from the date of issue 
• for visits of up to 90 days 
• for multiple entries  

Apply online or on arrival at any of Saudi Arabia’s international airports.  

You will need a separate visa for Hajj. See Pilgrimage . 

Applying for an electronic visa waiver (EVW) 

You can apply for an electronic visa waiver (EVW) if you’re travelling for: 

• medical treatment 
• Umrah (outside of Hajj Season)

An EVW allows you to enter Saudi Arabia once and stay for up to 6 months.  

Apply online for an EVW at least 48 hours before your flights, or up to 90 days in advance. You will need to give your flight details.

Travelling overland  

Your visa may only allow you to enter Saudi Arabia by air. If you plan to travel to Saudi Arabia by the Bahrain causeway, check your visa before travelling. Ask your travel agent or the Saudi Embassy if you need help. 

Travelling through Saudi Arabia 

If you’re transferring through Saudi Arabia, you may need a transit visa if: 

• you will pass through immigration control 
• you will leave Saudi Arabia on a separate ticket to the one you arrive on 
• the connecting time between your flights is more than 12 hours 

Check with your airline or travel agency if you require a transit visa.

Exit, re-entry and final exit permits 

If you live in Saudi Arabia, you must get an exit or re-entry permit from your sponsor to leave and re-enter the country. If you leave Saudi Arabia on a final exit permit, you must apply for a new visa to return to the country.  

Wives and children of Saudi nationals 

If you’re a woman married to a Saudi national, you must get a re-entry or final exit permit from your husband to leave Saudi Arabia. This also applies to children of Saudi nationals.

Flight restrictions around Hajj 

If you plan to travel around the time of the Hajj pilgrimage, check with your airline for any flight restrictions. 

The Saudi authorities have stopped visitors who are not performing Hajj from flying to Jeddah, Madinah and Taif. You may need a Hajj visa to board flights to these places during Hajj.  

You will still be able to enter Saudi Arabia through other airports.

Vaccination requirements  

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Saudi Arabia guide . 

Depending on your circumstances, these may include: 

• a yellow fever vaccination certificate  
• meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Saudi Arabia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

It is illegal to import: 

• pork and pork products 
• pornographic material 
• distillery equipment 
• re-treaded or used tyres  
• used clothing except for personal use  

certain sculptures such as religious symbols     Other items may be examined, including: 

• personal videos 
• electronic devices  

You may need to special approval to bring: 

• agricultural seeds 
• live animals 
• religious books (except for personal use) 
• chemicals and harmful materials 
• some pharmaceutical products 
• wireless equipment  
• radio-controlled model airplanes 
• archaeological artefacts 

Using technical equipment 

You may need a licence for: 

• satellite phones 
• listening or recording devices 
• radio transmitters 
• powerful cameras or binoculars 

If you need information on customs rules, contact the Saudi Embassy . 

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• Travel Tips

Here’s What You Need to Know Before Visiting Saudi Arabia

For the first time in its history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that will be opening its doors for tourism by issuing an electronic visa for visitors coming from 49 countries — including the United States.

Anyone over the age of 18 can apply for an eVisa . It costs approximately $120 and is valid for a period of one year with an option for multiple entry, and permits a maximum stay of 90 days in the country. Previously, the Kingdom issued only visitor visas for religious pilgrimage and business visas. This monumental announcement is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s reform program, Vision 2030 , which aims to reduce the country’s reliance on oil and diversify its economy by way of tourism and entertainment.

Over the past two years, the government has also announced the launch of several ambitious projects, including an entertainment mega-city in Riyadh (reportedly, twice the size of Orlando’s Disney World ), a futuristic beach destination along the coast of the Red Sea, and restoration of UNESCO World Heritage sites. By 2030, the government expects 100 million annual visits, increased foreign and domestic investment in hotels and associated amenities, the creation of million jobs, and an increase in tourism revenue from the current 3% to 10% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, according to Reuters.

To attract Western tourists and market itself as a tourist destination — on par with neighboring Gulf states— Saudi Arabia has eased some of its conservative restrictions, like granting women rights to drive and travel without a guardian, curbing the powers of the moral police, permitting unmarried tourist couples to rent hotel rooms, and relaxing dress codes.

Within the first 10 days of the introduction of the eVisa 24,000 visitors entered the Kingdom, according to Arab News . Although there is a lack of adequate tourism infrastructure, those curious to learn about and experience the country will find Saudi’s natural landscape and its welcoming locals incentive enough to visit.

If you find yourself heading to Saudi Arabia to explore the land uncharted to tourists, here are a few basic and cultural tips for first-time travelers to the Kingdom.

With this news, people are asking: Is Saudi Arabia Safe for tourists? Yes, Saudi Arabia is safe for tourists. As with travel to any other country in the world, be respectful of local rules and customs, be mindful of your surroundings, and carry out due diligence before traveling. Be sure to consult travel advisories before your trip.

Public spaces

Public spaces may be segregated, and you will find separate entrances or seating areas for men and women. Refrain from public displays of affection.

Seek permission before photographing locals. Under the public code of conduct , it is a punishable offense. Other offenses include vandalism of public property, playing music during prayer times, and dress code violations.

Female tourists are not required to wear the abaya (a cloak, previously mandated by the government). However, both men and women should dress modestly, avoiding tight fitting and revealing clothes in public. The official Visit Saudi tourism website provides further details on what this entails.

Stores and restaurants close during prayer times, five times a day. To make the most of your trip, plan your itinerary according to these times.

Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country. While non-Muslims are welcome and permitted to practice their religion in private spaces, preaching in public forums or on social media platforms is prohibited. Malicious propaganda against the country, government, and religion is a severe offense.

The sale, purchase or consumption of alcohol and drugs is illegal in the country.

Social customs

You will find locals to be hospitable, generous, and as equally curious about you as you may be about them. It is not uncommon to be invited to share a meal or a cup of gahwa (Arabic coffee) and dates. Your hosts — and even strangers — will want to extend their welcome and offer a token of their hospitality, like food or even a small gift. It is considered rude to refuse such an offering. Just remember, always accept and consume food and beverages with your right hand.

If you are invited into a Saudi house, remove your shoes, unless your host insists you keep them on. In a traditional Majlis, (a sitting hall with floor cushions) you are expected to sit on the floor. If hosted elsewhere, you can expect a modern setup with armchairs and other furniture.

Saudis encourage and welcome Westerners asking questions about their culture. To avoid offending local sensibilities, it's best to steer clear of political or religious topics of conversation.

Familiarizing yourself with Saudi rituals like greetings and handshakes will always make a favorable impression with your hosts. “Marhaban!” (Welcome) is a common way of greeting and you may respond with “Marhabtain” (I give you two welcomes).

Men shouldn’t extend a handshake to a Saudi woman, unless she does so first. To err on the side of caution, place your hand over your heart and greet with a hello.

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Matador Original Series

How to Get a Visa to Visit Saudi Arabia and What to Do Once You Get There

I n 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia officially opened its doors to international travelers, issuing tourist visas for the first time in history. Previously, only those traveling to Saudi Arabia for work or Muslim pilgrims were permitted to enter the country. Today, citizens of 57 nations, including the United States, can obtain an eVisa to travel to Saudi Arabia — and the application process is simple, fast, and relatively cheap.

Do US citizens need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia?

How to get an evisa for saudi arabia, can you get a visa on arrival in saudi arabia, saudi arabia visa fees, transit visa for saudi arabia, i’m not a citizen of any of the 57 nations that can obtain an evisa, can i still visit saudi arabia, can tourists in saudi arabia visit mecca and medina, the best places to see in saudi arabia.

US citizens need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia. They can choose between applying for an eVisa online or obtaining a visa on arrival.

To qualify for an eVisa or a visa on arrival to Saudi Arabia, US citizens must be at east 18 years of age (or accompanied by a relative who is over 18 years old), and have a valid passport. Citizens of other nations may have different requirements, however.

If you meet the requirements for an eVisa (for US citizens, they are: Being at least 18 years old or accompanied by a relative who’s over the age of 18, and having a valid passport), you can apply for an eVisa for Saudi Arabia online at Visit Saudi . Completing the application only takes a few minutes. Standard eVisa processing is about 72 hours, but can take longer.

Once you have obtained an eVisa for Saudi Arabia, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days. The visa remains valid for one year from its issue date and allows for multiple entries.

Saudi Arabia’s eVisa program is for tourists and Muslim pilgrims only, not for those who wish to work or study in Saudi Arabia.

US citizens can get a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia if they meet the necessary requirement: Being at least 18 years old or accompanied by a relative who’s over the age of 18, and having a valid passport.

Applying for a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia is very simple: Upon their arrival at the airport, travelers can use the self-service machine or talk to a border agent. The process takes between 10 and 30 minutes.

Once you have obtained a visa on arrival for Saudi Arabia, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days. The visa remains valid for one year from its date of issuance.

Saudi Arabia’s visa on arrival program, like the eVisa program, is for tourists and Muslim pilgrims only, not for those who wish to work or study in Saudi Arabia.

Applying for an eVisa for Saudi Arabia costs $142 (SAR 535) and includes the application fee and the mandatory medical insurance fee.

Applying for a visa on arrival costs $80 (SAR 300), but you need to add a mandatory $48 (SAR 180) medical insurance fee, making for a total of $128 (480 SAR).

Saudi Arabia offers transit/stopover visas for those who are only passing through the country. The application for a transit/stopover visa takes around three minutes and the visa is issued instantly. Transit/stopover visas for Saudi Arabia are valid for 96 hours from the time of arrival into the country. Transit/stopover visas are free but administrative fees incur and there is a mandatory medical insurance fee to pay.

Airlines Saudia and Flynas offer deals for travelers who are only passing through. You may get a free transit/stopover visa and even a free one-night hotel stay. Check out the offers on the Visit Saudi website .

It’s possible for nationals from outside the 57 eVisa eligible countries to get a tourist visa , though they’ll need to apply in person at a Saudi embassy or consulate and provide additional information. Visit the Saudi Visit website and select your country of citizenship in the drop-down menu to obtain all the necessary information about how to get a visa to visit Saudi Arabia.

No matter their country of origin, non-Muslim travelers are still prohibited from entering Mecca and Medina. Although the two holiest cities in Islam are off limits to non-pilgrims, know that there is a lot more for travelers to see in Saudi Arabia.

Mada’in Saleh (also known as Hegra or the Hegra Archaeological Site), AlUla

@matadornetwork #Hegra is Saudi Arabia's first #UNESCOWorldHeritage site IG: @thelosttwo & @Adrian Baias #ancientruins #travelsaudiarabia #bridgertonscandal ♬ original sound – ℎ

Often referred to as the “Petra of Saudi Arabia,” Mada’in Saleh is a 2,000-year-old site comprised of monuments carved in sandstone rocks, including 110 tombs, many of which are intricately decorated. This archaeological wonder and desert city became the first ever Saudi UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.

Mada’in Saleh is located less than 40 minutes away from the city of AlUla , where outdoor adventures , including stargazing , are second to none.

The Sky Bridge at Kingdom Centre Tower, Riyadh

Photo: Fedor Selivanov /Shutterstock

If there is one building that distinguishes Riyadh’s skylines from that of other cities around the world, it’s the Kingdom Center Tower — the one with the semi-circle-shaped hole near the top. The Sky Bridge, open Saturday until Thursday from 12 PM to 10:30 PM and Friday from 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM, is the tippy-top of the tower. For about $18 (SAR 69), you’ll speed up two elevators to the top of Riyadh’s most famous landmark. (Children under the age of 10 pay $6, and children under the age of two enter for free.) For the best views of the entire city, go a little before sunset to catch daytime colors and night lights. The first three floors of the building consist of a shopping mall, while the 77th floor is home to the King Abdullah Mosque, the highest mosque in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Ahsa Oasis, Eastern Province

The Al-Ahsa Oasis is the largest desert oasis in the world thanks to its 2.5 millions date palms. But the grounds of this UNESCO World Heritage site includes more than just crops. There are archaeological sites, old fortresses, canals, mosques, and other traces of human settlements that date back as far as the Neolithic period. The diversity of rock formations and water systems is complemented by the ancient sea port of Al-Uqair, and the breathtaking Al-Shu’ba Mountain.

The Saudi National Museum, Riyadh

The most renowned museum in the Kingdom, the Saudi National Museum is ideal for a rainy day or anytime you are looking to escape the dry heat if you’re visiting outside of winter. Displays and installations in all eight galleries incorporate the latest technology, and all descriptions are presented in both Arabic and English. Exhibitions focus on the history of the nation with the pre-Islamic era, the Hajj, the Two Holy Mosques, the Unification of Saudi Arabia, etc. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better collection of Saudi artifacts anywhere else.

The museum is open from Saturday to Wednesday from 9 AM to 8 PM, and on Thursday and Friday from 2 PM to 10 PM.

King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (also known as Ithra), Dharan

Located next to the larger city of Dammam, Dharan accommodates a world-class center of culture. Saudi Aramco, the country’s massive oil company, runs the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), which comprises a library of over 325,000 books, an auditorium, a museum, a children’s museum, a movie theater, restaurants, cafés, and more. The center, whose architecture is striking, was designed by Norwegian architectural firm Snohetta.

Ithra is open from Thursday to Saturday from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Wahba Crater, Medina Province

Photo: Ajmal Thaha /Shutterstock

Wahba Crater is a volcanic crater of 10,000 feet in diameter and 1,250 feet in depth. Contrary to the surrounding desert landscape, the volcanic crater’s rim is home to shrubbery and other plants during the rainy season. And in the summer, the water that fills the crater evaporates to give way to a salt field. Wahba Crater is an incredibly unique site to visit and hike around, especially with the recent construction of roads and access points. Despite these recent developments, ensure that you take proper gear like extra water, hiking boots, and sun protection to withstand the elements. There is a visitor center nearby.

Scuba diving the Red Sea, Jeddah

Saudi Arabia has the longest coastline of the Red Sea and is famous for its colorful coral reefs, World War II shipwrecks, and biodiversity. Although year-round diving is possible, the best time of year to go is November to January when visibility is better and there’s an increased likelihood of seeing sharks and dolphins. Many scuba agencies and dive shops offer certification and tours with tons based out of Jeddah.

Al-Tayebat International City, Jeddah

Photo: Rahul D Silva /Shutterstock

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• Personal Visit Visa
• Hajj and Umrah Visa 
• Student Visa
• Applying in person at the embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Via Mail to the Embassy's address: 601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20037.
• Through the Embassy's authorized travel agencies .

General Note 

• Visitors should not overstay their visas.
• Visitors must abide by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Islamic laws and regulations, respecting social values and traditions at all times.
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s laws on drug trafficking are strictly enforced. Violators are subject to severe penalties, which may include the death penalty.

Consulate Hours

• Passports or documents may be dropped off at the Embassy in Washington between  10:00AM to 12:00PM on weekdays for drop offs and pick ups.    No appointment is needed.
• Please note schedule could change without notice.  Ramadan business hours .
• Incomplete applications or passports will be returned to applicants without processing. 

Mail Policy 

• Mailing passports: Include a pre-paid return label and envelope (from FedEx, UPS, or USPS only) with the return address label filled out completely. A proper pre-paid return envelope must include a “PRE-PAID” label.  Return envelops showing only account numbers are no longer accepted as proof of pre-payment. Credit cards, checks, money orders, or cash will not be accepted for return mailing.  Any package without a proper pre-paid return envelope and label will be put on hold until a proper return envelope is received. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine the EXACT return shipping cost. All labels must have a tracking number and applicants are advised to keep both incoming and outgoing tracking numbers for their records. The Embassy does not accept international packages. 
• No cash, credit card, or personal check will be accepted.

Solo female travel anywhere and everywhere.

A massive guide to travel in Saudi Arabia

Planning a trip to Saudi Arabia? Here’s what you need to know to travel to Saudi Arabia, from costs to what to wear to safety and cultural deets. Happy planning!

Saudi Arabia has long been closed off for most travelers. Restrictive visa policies meant only Muslims—or oil industry workers—could visit. Even then, they could only visit a few places in the country.

Then everything changed in 2019. *Cue Avatar: The Last Airbender theme*

Saudi Arabia is currently making a big push to rebrand itself as a premier holiday destination in the Middle East. Part of that push involves a more open e-visa policy. This new visa regime makes it significantly easier for many nationalities to visit the country. It also allows pilgrims on Hajj and Umrah to travel beyond Mecca and Medina.

Whether or not Saudi Arabia is a top travel destination is another matter, but if you plan on visiting Saudi Arabia, you definitely need to come prepared to avoid offense. Read on to learn all the things I wish I’d known before traveling to Saudi Arabia!

Saudi Arabia travel guide: here’s what you need to know

Saudi arabia basics.

• Best time to visit Saudi Arabia
• Visa for Saudi Arabia
• What to pack

Language in Saudi Arabia

Religion in saudi arabia.

• Clothes and what to wear
• Gender and how to act
• Hospitality and gift giving

Female travel in Saudi Arabia

• Eating customs
• Traveling as a vegetarian/vegan
• Money and payments
• Transportation

Safety in Saudi Arabia

• Mobiles and connectivity
• Travel resources

Quba mosque in Medina, said to be the first mosque ever built.

• Official name:  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
• Capital:  Riyadh
• Population:  34 million

Saudi Arabia is the 12th largest country in the world by landmass. Its population is youthful; of the approximately 34 million people living in the country, 50% are younger than 25.

Expats (foreigners) make up a significant part of its population—more than 30% of people living in KSA are foreign nationals. Interestingly enough, this foreign minority makes up more than 70% of Saudi’s workforce . Interpret that how you will.

The kingdom in its current form was founded in 1932 as an absolute monarchy. This means most of the power in Saudi Arabia lies in the hands of the royal family, the House of Saud, who rule the kingdom to this day. The current monarch is King Salman… but his son, Mohammed bin Salman (also known as MBS), more or less runs the kingdom. MBS is also responsible for the Vision 2030 program that spurred the recent tourism developments.

The Arabian peninsula is the founding place of Islam, one of the world’s largest religions. Its two holiest cities, Medina and Mecca, are both in Saudi Arabia. They are the main destinations of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages that millions of Muslims from around the world undertake every year. Religion is critical in Saudi Arabia; for more on religion in Saudi Arabia, see the religion section .

Sunrise above the clouds in Fayfa. Not bad, eh?

When’s the best time to visit Saudi Arabia?

Definitely do not visit Saudi Arabia in summer.

Summers in Saudi can be boiling hot, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C. Unless you’re a masochist, it’s best to avoid traveling to Saudi in summer. The mountains of Asir province are one notable exception to the summer rule; though temperatures can still be high, the cloudy, mountainous terrain is generally quite pleasant during summer.

The best time to visit Saudi Arabia is in winter , roughly between October and March. Temperatures are at their most pleasant between November and February. Temperatures typically begin rising from the end of February or beginning of March, though one can never be quite certain thanks to climate change. Winter temperatures hover around 25 °C – 30 °C , depending on where in the country you are.

Read: My one-month essential Saudi Arabia itinerary

A historic sandstone mosque in Ushaiger village

Visas for Saudi Arabia

It used to be a real pain to get a Saudi Arabia visa. Unless you were a Muslim going on a pilgrimage or an exec visiting/working for business, it was nearly impossible to go to Saudi Arabia.

Before 2019, some travelers managed to get in via “business” trips booked by tour companies. Saudi Arabia began issuing tourist visas specifically for ticketed events in 2018. However, for the most part, Saudi Arabia was a non-option for the average tourist.

In 2019, everything changed with the introduction of the new e-visa system. The new Saudi Arabia e-visa system is surprisingly easy. I was legitimately taken aback when I applied—It took me less than 15 minutes to apply for my visa, I stood up to go to the bathroom after finishing the application, and by the time I returned to my computer 5 minutes later I had a Saudi Arabia e-visa PDF waiting in my Whatsapp inbox. Crazy, right?

Who’s eligible for a Saudi Arabia e-visa?

As of 2020, citizens of the following countries are eligible for a Saudi Arabia tourist e-visa:

Australia, Austria, Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brunei, Canada, China, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

For more detailed and up-to-date information on visa eligibility, how much the visa costs, and to apply for Saudi’s e-visa, check out the official Saudi Arabia e-visa website .

Important note : Several fake e-visa websites have popped up. Do not use any website except the official Saudi Arabia e-visa site to apply for your visa.

Scrambling around in the northern Tabuk region.

What to pack for travel in Saudi Arabia

Everyone has different needs, but there are a few items I strongly recommend you pack when traveling in Saudi Arabia:

• Modest clothes. This one is a given—Saudi is an Islamic country, after all—but men and women alike need to make an effort to stay covered up.
• Travel adapter. Saudi uses the same G-type plugs (3 rectangular holes) that you find in the UK. If you’re coming from Europe or the US, you’ll need a travel adapter for Saudi Arabia. I always travel with several of these adapters since they also have USB outlets.
• Reusable water bottle. Plastic waste is a huge issue in Saudi Arabia, and people love to buy painfully tiny plastic bottles of water. Do your part for the planet—bring your own water bottle. Tap water is generally safe to drink, and water filters are common in metro areas. I love and recommend my Hydroflask insulated water bottle . It also kept water cold when it was boiling hot!
• Reusable cup for coffee/tea/cold drinks. Same environmental logic applies. They’re seriously useful if you’re road tripping across Saudi Arabia—you’ll be drinking a lot of tea and coffee from rest stops along the highways! These travel mugs are great , and insulate both hot and cold drinks.
• Good sunscreen. Saudi sun is fierce, and the dry heat combined with sun can be seriously hard on your skin. Plus you’re going to get some freaky tan lines from all your modest clothing! I always travel with this specific sunscreen because it doesn’t feel slimy or sticky in the slightest.
• Arabic phrasebook. English isn’t very common, especially outside cities. I used Google Translate often… but no one understood me, and it was total crap at translating Saudi’s Arabic dialect. I highly recommend this Arabic phrasebook —it’s specific to one of the major dialects in KSA.

Typical roadside decor in Saudi.

The official language of Saudi Arabia is—yep, you guessed it—Arabic.

However, Arabic is more nuanced than non-Arabic speakers might realize. Arabic spoken in, say, Morocco, is far different from the Arabic you’ll hear in Saudi Arabia.

The three main variants of Arabic spoken in Saudi are:

• Najdi Arabic
• Hejazi Arabic
• Gulf Arabic

It’s both useful and respectful to pick up some basic Arabic or have a phrasebook on hand for short interactions. Careful, as most Arabic phrasebooks are written for Moroccan or Egyptian Arabic; I specifically recommend using this Hejazi Arabic phrasebook , which covers one of the main dialects you’ll encounter in Saudi Arabia. Never fear, it doesn’t require any struggling with the Arabic alphabet—all the phrases are written in the Roman alphabet.

English in Saudi Arabia? English isn’t widely spoken in Saudi, though people in the tourism sector will often speak some English. More and more young Saudis speak English, as many study abroad for university. Most road signs on main roads are written with both Arabic and Roman alphabets, though speed limit signs are Arabic-only once you get away from Jeddah and Riyadh.

Due to the large number of foreigners living in Saudi—roughly 30% of Saudi’s population comes from abroad—it’s also common to hear people speak Tagalog, Urdu, and Hindi, among other languages. Many of the labor or customer service workers you’ll run into in Saudi are from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines; you can easily travel in many places without Arabic if you speak some Hindi/Urdu. Speaking from experience.

The Arabic alphabet

The Arabic alphabet is written from right to left, and, in my humble opinion, complicated AF. Many letters are drastically different depending on where in the word they fall (beginning/middle/end) and a single dot can change the entire sound of a letter.

Despite its complexity, learning just a handful of letters can be immensely helpful for figuring out signs and differentiating between options. I used the free app Duolingo to learn the Arabic alphabet while traveling in Saudi Arabia. And by learn, I mostly mean shouting exasperatedly at my phone as it asked me to make guttural noises and read incomprehensible squiggles, neither of which I could never dream of reproducing.

Even if you aren’t linguistically inclined, I recommend learning Arabic numerals . They are not as difficult (there are only 10 of them, after all) and you’ll need to know them to read things like prices and speed limit signs if  traveling Saudi Arabia by car .

Men walking through the Al Baqi cemetery in the Haram center of Medina, one of Saudi’s holiest cities. Some of the Prophet’s family are buried in this cemetery.

Religion influences every part of Saudi life. Saudi citizens have to be Muslim, and publicly practicing any religion other than Islam is forbidden.

Everything shuts down during namaz , prayer times. In Sunni Islam, there are five prayer times every day: fajr, duhr, asr, maghrib, and isha . The timings change slightly each day— here are today’s prayer times .

Shops, restaurants, cafes—basically everything except for fancier places hidden from sight—will close for around 15 minutes to half an hour during prayer times. Previously, religious police would hound anyone seen not praying during prayer times, but those times are over.

The vast majority of Saudi’s Muslim population is Sunni. There is a Shia minority, which suffers from regular discrimination .

Though there are a few schools of Islamic thought in Saudi Arabia; Wahabis and Salafis make up a significant part of the Sunni population. Both involve relatively strict and traditional interpretations of the Quran.

Minority religions in Saudi Arabia

Because Saudi has such a large immigrant population, notably from places like the Philippines and the Indian Subcontinent, there are also pockets of Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists in Saudi. However, they are not allowed to openly worship or practice their faith.

Proselytizing is strictly forbidden, and can come in many forms—distributing non-Islamic materials such as Bibles is considered proselytizing and is highly illegal.

You are allowed to practice your religion in private as a non-Muslim traveling to Saudi. However, try to be discreet. Under no circumstances should you try to argue with Saudis about their religion.

Atheism in Saudi Arabia?  As with any country, there are always outliers. Atheists do exist in Saudi Arabia, but they must be very secretive about their beliefs—atheism is not welcome in Saudi. Even if you don’t have religious beliefs, I recommend saying you have a religion when traveling in Saudi Arabia .

A man selling Saudi ghutra (men’s head coverings) and swords in a bazaar in Khamis Mushait. Nothing like a good sword and robe set as a souvenir for your family back home, eh eh?

Culture in Saudi Arabia

Saudi culture is heavily influenced by several major pillars: Islam, its historic role as a major trade center, and Bedouin (nomadic desert tribes) roots. Generally, Saudi culture is deeply religious, family-oriented, protectively traditional, and socially conservative.

Clothes and what to wear in Saudi Arabia

One of the first things any visitor to Saudi will notice is how many people wear traditional clothes.

Even in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah most men still wear thobe , the long, loose robes coming to the ankles. The vast majority of women in Saudi Arabia are completely covered in black abayas, long, loose robes for women, and hijab head coverings. Most women cover their faces when out in public.

As a tourist visiting Saudi Arabia, it’s required by law to dress modestly. You don’t have to go out and buy a  thob  ASAP, but there are some basic requirements to keep in mind.

Men:  Men should avoid tank tops or walking around shirtless—t-shirts at the very minimum—and long pants are strongly recommended. Islam requires men’s knees to be covered, and you will stick out like a sore thumb if you walk around in shorts and a wife beater tank.

Women:  Though foreign women are no longer required to wear abayas , I still strongly recommend female travelers wear them in public in cities and towns. Unless you’re hanging out with elites or in someone’s home, you will be the only woman  not wearing one 99% of the time. You can wear whatever you’d like underneath—I often wore a t-shirt and jeans—but an abaya is ideal. Headscarves are not mandatory, though in many areas I wore one to avoid people’s stares.

Smells in Saudi:  Scents and smelling good are highly prioritized in Saudi Arabia. Men and women alike wear scents, cars must smell good, and greeting guests with  bukhoor  (a sort of goblet-shaped incense holder, usually to burn  oud wood) is common. You don’t have to smell like a perfume shop all the time, but know people will be very aware of how you smell. A bit of an embarrassing issue for me, an often-smelly backpacker.

Gender divides and how to act in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is heavily segregated by gender. Men operate in one sphere, women in another.

Even within families, it is common for women to stay out of sight or hidden from men. I met many men who do not know what their extended female family look like, and women who would cover themselves in front of their husband’s brothers. Just to give you an example of how extreme the segregation can be.

Practically, for travelers the gender divide is most noticeable when it comes to eating. It is no longer required by law, but many restaurants are still divided into men and women/family sections. Some restaurants do not allow women at all. Men cannot sit in the women’s section unless accompanied by women; women usually cannot sit in the men’s sections, though sometimes more progressive restaurant owners will be flexible about the rule if the restaurant is mostly empty.

The extremity of segregation varies around the country. In small towns, you likely won’t see women at all. In Jeddah and wealthy parts of Riyadh, you’ll see more men and women mixing these days.

How to act around the opposite gender is something that varies from person to person. Here are some general tips to keep in mind:

• Do not touch the opposite gender. This includes handshakes; only shake hands if the local offers first, though they probably won’t.
• Try to avoid making unnecessary eye contact with strangers of the opposite gender if you’re not interacting with them, especially as a man. Men can get defensive if you stare at their wives/sisters.
• Don’t sit next to the opposite gender unless you’re with them or related to them.
• No PDAs you traveling couples. Though you’ll see married couples holding hands sometimes, anything beyond that is inappropriate and a punishable offense.

Hospitality and gift giving in Saudi Arabia

Hospitality is another core element of culture in Saudi Arabia.

As in many Islamic societies, guests are seen as a gift from God. Taking care of guests is an opportunity to do good and win favor in the eyes of Allah. When traveling in Saudi Arabia, don’t be surprised if you’re given gifts, taken out to dinner, or shown around for an entire day “because you’re our guest.” Let it be noted that the whiter you are, the more likely this will occur.

You might be tempted to give your hosts a gift as thanks, but you probably shouldn’t. Though they’ll happily shower you with gifts, many Saudis will take offense to gifts given to them by new acquaintances/non-relations. Proper gifts are usually quite expensive—think fancy carpets or expensive scents—so unless you’re visiting a family or long-time friend, don’t feel pressured to bring gifts. Just appreciation.

My daily outfit in Saudi: black abaya, headscarf, and whatever clothes were least dirty underneath.

Traveling as a woman in Saudi Arabia is worlds apart from traveling as a man.

Even if you’re a female traveler traveling with a man, people will treat you very differently from male travelers. Women are treated with great respect in Saudi Arabia, though “respect” in Saudi Arabia might be viewed as restriction by others.

The status of women in Saudi Arabia is complex—one I’m not exactly qualified to discuss—so let’s stick to practical travel matters. Because genders are so segregated in Saudi, it can be hard to find women to interact with outside of the big cities. You need to be far more attentive to your clothing than men. Finding places to eat that allow women can be a bit of a nightmare in small towns—you’ll have to get used to takeaway meals.

On the “bright” side, because the punishment for harassment is so severe—and official harassment can be something as simple as a man staring at you for too long—female travelers are generally not at risk of more severe assault. I encountered some verbal harassment and men following me, and a few solo female travelers I spoke to were propositioned for sex, but harassment should not be a major concern for female travelers.

In my personal experience, both solo and traveling with men, I often found traveling in Saudi Arabia as a woman to be isolating more than anything else. As a disclaimer, part of that could be attributed to my appearance—most people thought I was either Arab or Indian/Pakistani—as I heard more glowing stories from white women.

I could go on for a long while on female travel in Saudi Arabia, but I’ll stop here. For a more in-depth discussion, check out my guide to female travel in Saudi Arabia .

The Yemeni-influenced food in Jazan was 100% my favorite in all of Saudi Arabia. I’m drooling just looking at this.

Food in Saudi Arabia

If you love food, prepare to put on a few pounds in Saudi Arabia. I know I did.

Saudi Arabia has long been a crossroads of cultures. Traders came in by horse and camel from the north, while others came by sea. Muslim pilgrims from all over the world have traveled to Mecca for centuries.

As a result, Saudi cuisine draws on many different influences, and many common dishes in Saudi Arabia actually have origins elsewhere. Fu ul (beans), falafel, and shawarma are diet staples, though not traditionally Saudi.

Some traditional Saudi dishes to look out for include:

• Kabsa – Roast chicken and rice found everywhere
• Dates – Saudi Arabia has some of the best dates in the world, and they come in all different types and flavors. The Qassim region is considered to have the best dates in the country.
• Jareesh – Crushed wheat porridge, topped with savory onions and dried limes
• Murtabak – Stuffed pancake
• Tharid – Spicy lamb stew served with bread
• Laban – Creamy yogurt drink
• Mamuul – Stuffed date cookies
• Arabic coffee – Not at all like “normal” coffee, it’s yellow, bitter, and flavored with cardamom

Meals in Saudi Arabia are rich, spiced, and usually accompanied by a mound of rice or bread, as well as thick, creamy laban  (a strained kind of yogurt that can also stand alone as a drink—it’s delicious!). Meat is an essential part of main meals, and sweet tea often follows.

Eating customs in Saudi Arabia

There is definitely a right and wrong way to eat in Saudi Arabia! Though you’ll probably be forgiven for any culinary cultural faux pas as a foreign visitor, it’s still good to respect norms.

Traditionally, meals are eaten on a mat on the ground , and everyone eats from a large, central plate. Usually, there are boxy pillows on the ground you can lean up against for support.

Food is eaten by hand. Don’t worry, washing hands before and after all meals is customary. Eat with your right hand only (left hands are for dirty business), unless doing something more complicated like picking a chicken bone apart. Only pass food with your right hand , even if it’s dirty.

When sitting on the ground, try to keep your legs crossed or knees bent . It’s considered rude to extend your feet in front of people you respect, especially if your feet are pointing towards them.

Saudis will usually press you to eat more, and refill your cup whenever your coffee or tea is finished. It’s expected to let them refill your cup at least once. As for eating, it’s best to start saying you’re full well before you’re stuffed to the brim… else you might be stuffed beyond the brim.

Confused about how to eat? Here’s a video on eating customs in the Middle East to give you an idea of how and why people eat the way they do. The vlogger isn’t Saudi, but the same principles apply.

Traveling as a vegetarian/vegan in Saudi Arabia

Though meat is a meal staple, there are plenty of vegetarian- and vegan-friendly foods to be found in Saudi Arabia if you look.

Some upmarket establishments have vegan options. Vegetarian restaurants exist in big cities. Though you might encounter some raised eyebrows, vegetarians and vegans are increasingly common in Saudi Arabia—one of Saudi’s princes is vegan . In general, people in cities understand what vegetarians are.

Some common foods you can rely on as a vegetarian or vegan (*) traveler include:

• Falafel* (if no yogurt)
• Fuul (beans)*
• Vegetable murtabak (stuffed pancakes)*
• Dal tamiz (lentils with bread)*
• Moutabel (baba ghanoush)*
• Masoub (Yemeni banana and bread pudding)

Here are more food options for vegetarians in Saudi Arabia.

Teenagers hanging out at one of Riyadh’s fanciest malls.

Money and payments in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi Riyal (SAR). One Riyal is divided into 100 halalas. Saudi has banknotes and coins, although the coins are mostly useless. However, don’t be surprised if you end up with a stack of one and two riyal coins (and a bunch of halalas to boot). At the time of writing, 1 riyal is $0.27 or €0.25. Check here for the current exchange rate.

Paying with credit card

It’s possible to pay by international credit card for most large transactions such as nice meals, car rentals, and hotels. Google Pay is also quite popular in Saudi Arabia—many people just use their phones to pay in cities.

Cash and ATMs

Banknotes come in 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 riyals. Make sure to withdraw an amount from the ATM that isn’t easily divided into 500 notes; you don’t want to be stuck with a stack of large banknotes. Many places will have some change, but not always enough to break a 500.

Getting money from the ATM is straightforward (there are even drive-through ATMs), and there aren’t any hidden ATM fees to worry about.

Read: How much it costs to travel in Saudi Arabia

Road tripping into Wadi Disah, one of the most epic canyons in Saudi.

Transportation in Saudi Arabia

Saudi is absolutely massive; getting around takes time. Cities are spread out, and there’s hardly any public transport to speak of. Even between cities—which can easily be more than 500 km apart—public transport is limited.

By rental car

Saudi Arabia is made for cars, especially 4x4s. Saudi’s most memorable spots are all outside the cities; I highly recommend you rent a car to make the most of your trip to Saudi. My guide to road tripping in Saudi has all the information you need.

Note on cars:  I’ve heard of unofficial shared taxis offering rides between cities, though I didn’t use any myself. A local told me you can sometimes find them lurking outside of major bus terminals.

If you’re short on time, or if you only want to visit a few main cities, planes are the most efficient (and often cost-effective) way of getting between cities. Most flights are less than two hours. Some are even cheaper than bus tickets.

SAPTCO runs an extensive bus network throughout Saudi Arabia. Buses are clean and comfortable, though on the pricey side. Expect to pay at least US$50 per person for a long distance bus ticket.

For more info on traveling by bus in Saudi Arabia, check out the Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) website .

Transport within cities

Ride sharing apps Uber and Careem are commonly used in big cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah.

Najran, the Saudi city hardest hit by the war in neighboring Yemen.

Many people have asked me: Is Saudi safe? I think Saudi is generally a safe place to travel to. Although it’s had problems with violence and terrorism in the past, most areas in Saudi are perfectly safe for the average tourist.

The only area considered dangerous is the area along the Yemeni border around Najran. Tourists are allowed to visit, but most governments advise against travel there. Saudi is currently in talks with the Yemen rebels to negotiate a truce. However, some security experts are fearful the rebels might launch a ground offensive on Najran if their demands aren’t met. If you plan on traveling to the south, make sure to keep an eye on the current situation.

Safety issues for travelers in Saudi Arabia

Drivers are the biggest safety hazard in Saudi Arabia. Many drivers drive like crazy, so be careful when crossing the street or driving around the country.

Openly talking about politics or the royal family with people you don’t know well is not wise. Saudi critics of the royal family have been jailed.

Criticizing Islam is absolutely to be avoided for a variety of reasons.

Drugs , including alcohol, are illegal in Saudi Arabia. They do exist—alcohol is common especially among elite and/or foreign circles and  khat is a stimulant commonly consumed in the south—but possession is a punishable offense.

Probs checking his Snapchat; Saudis use Snapchat more than any other social media app for everything from messaging to promoting their business.

Mobiles and connectivity in Saudi Arabia

Saudi is fairly well connected. There’s 4G service almost everywhere, even on long stretches of highway in the middle of nowhere. Many cafes and hotels have decent wifi, though mobile signal is often better.

There are several mobile operators in Saudi Arabia. STC, Mobily, and Zain are the three main operators in the Kingdom. I used both STC and Mobily while in Saudi, and highly recommend using STC.

STC’s coverage is the best of the three; I had 4G practically everywhere, even out in nature. Price-wise, Mobily is slightly cheaper, but has poorer service outside of cities and towns. Zain is the cheapest option, but also has the worst coverage outside metro areas.

If you want to get a SIM card, I recommend getting one upon arrival in the airport (if you fly in). The main carriers all have small offices at arrivals, and it’s easy to get a card here as the workers all speak English. It’s possible to get SIM cards in cities, but only at official stores, and workers will be less likely to speak English.

The price for a SIM card with 10GB data is roughly 160 SAR. A 10GB top up is 100 SAR. For info on costs, check out my Saudi budget report .

A moody twilight in Abha, a city in the mountains.

More resources for travel in Saudi Arabia

• What it was like to travel Saudi Arabia
• A one-month itinerary for Saudi Arabia
• Guide to female travel in Saudi Arabia
• How much it costs to travel in Saudi Arabia
• Driver’s manual to road tripping in Saudi Arabia
• Nada al Nahdi – Travel blog from a female traveler who was born in Saudi Arabia. Contains some useful itineraries and tips.
• House of Saud – Intriguing documentary explaining the royal family’s power. I recommend watching before visiting.
• Blue Abaya – Popular travel blog by a Finnish expat living in Riyadh

Have more questions? Saudi Arabia travel tips for others? Leave them in the comments!

Yay transparency: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something using my links, I’ll make a bit of extra money at no extra cost to you. It’s how I keep the blog up and running! Never fear, I only recommend things I use or would use myself.

Alex Reynolds

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(Updated: October 11, 2023)

All receipts for payment of Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fees issued before October 1, 2022, expired September 30, 2023. There will be no extensions of fee validity. Applicants must have scheduled an appointment or submitted an interview waiver application before September 30, 2023 to avoid paying a new fee. If you paid the MRV fee on or after October 1, 2022, you must have scheduled the appointment within one year of your MRV payment date. Please note that the interview itself does not need to take place within one year, but an interview appointment needs to be made in the system, even if it is scheduled months into the future. Furthermore, applicants using MRV fees paid before October 1, 2022 to book an appointment are cautioned not to attempt to change their appointment dates on or after October 1, 2023. Doing so will result in forfeiture of both the original appointment slot and the MRV fee receipt. The applicant will be required to pay a new fee and submit a new application package.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of State amended its regulations concerning B visas. U.S. consular officers overseas will deny any B visa application from an applicant whom the consular officer has reason to believe is traveling for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their child. The full text of the 2020 announcement can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/20200123_birth-tourism-update.html . See also https://help.cbp.gov/s/sidebar-all-travel?language=en_US for additional information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the admission of international travelers (including those who are pregnant) to the United States.

Select here to learn more about an important update on waivers of the interview requirement for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants.

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Welcome to the U.S. Visa Information Service for Saudi Arabia. On this website you can find information about U.S. immigrant and nonimmigrant visas and the requirements to apply for each. You can also learn how to pay the required visa application fee, and book an interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulates in Dhahran and Jeddah.

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Saudi Arabia: Here are the updated rules for Hajj 2024 that prioritise pilgrims' health and safety

Would-be pilgrims must meet vaccination criteria and obtain official permits

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has announced updated conditions for performing Hajj in 2024, which include several new requirements aimed at ensuring the health and safety of pilgrims.

The Ministries of Hajj and Umrah, along with the Ministry of Health, specified that all pilgrims must obtain a Hajj permit through the Nusk platform, which is crucial for the legitimacy of their pilgrimage.

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Additionally, registration through the Sehaty application is required to verify vaccination status.

Key conditions set forth for the 2024 Hajj include:

• Mandatory registration in the Sehaty app to confirm necessary vaccinations.

• Residents within Saudi Arabia must have received the COVID-19 vaccine, influenza vaccine, and meningitis vaccine within the last five years.

• International pilgrims are required to have the Neisseria meningitidis vaccine administered at least 10 days but not more than five years prior to their arrival, verified by a certificate from their home country. They must also be vaccinated against polio.

• Saudi Arabia warns against unauthorised operators and fake websites for Hajj pilgrims
• Saudi Arabia: Not permissible to perform Hajj without permit
• Fighting polio: Hajj pilgrims get health boost in Bill Gates-supported disease control effort in Saudi Arabia
• Saudi Arabia sets deadline for Hajj registration

Further general conditions for all pilgrims:

• A valid passport through at least the end of Dhu Al Hijjah 1445 (June 7, 2024).

• A minimum age requirement of 12 years.

• Vaccinations against COVID-19, seasonal flu, and meningitis.

• A health certification confirming the pilgrim is free from any infectious diseases.

The announcement follows a recent statement by the Council of Senior Scholars, emphasizing that performing Hajj without an official permit is considered sinful. The measures aim to facilitate the smooth conduct of Hajj rituals and to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims, ensuring a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience for all attendees.

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webExclusive Report --> ഉംറ വീസ നയത്തിൽ മാറ്റം വരുത്തി സൗദി അറേബ്യ; ഹജിനുള്ള അപേക്ഷകൾ 29 വരെ

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Published: April 28 , 2024 09:08 AM IST Updated: April 28, 2024 09:34 AM IST

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തീർഥാടനത്തിന്റെ സമയത്തിലേക്കാണു മുസ്‌ലിം സമുദായത്തിൽ ഉൾപ്പെട്ടവർ പ്രവേശിക്കുന്നത്. ചിലർ ഉംറ നിർവഹിക്കുന്നതിനും മറ്റും ചിലർ ഹജ് നിർവഹിക്കുന്നതിനുമായി സൗദി യിലേക്ക് പോകുന്ന തിരക്കിലാണ്. ഹജ്  നിർവഹിക്കുന്നതിനും ഉംറ നിർവഹിക്കുന്നതിനും പോകാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നവർ വീസ എടുക്കേണ്ടത് ആവശ്യമാണ്. എന്നാണോ വീസ പുറപ്പെടുവിക്കുന്നത് അന്നുമുതൽ മൂന്നുമാസം അഥവാ 90 ദിവസമാണ് വീസ കാലാവധിയെന്ന് സൗദിയിലെ ഹജ്, ഉംറ മന്ത്രാലയം വ്യക്തമാക്കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്.

ഉംറ വീസയ്ക്ക് 90 ദിവസം അഥവാ മൂന്നുമാസം കാലാവധി ഉണ്ടെങ്കിലും ടൂറിസ്റ്റ് വീസയും ഉംറ വീസയും തമ്മിൽ കാര്യമായ ചില വ്യത്യാസങ്ങളുണ്ട്. സൗദി ടൂറിസ്റ്റ് വീസയുടെ കാലാവധിയും 90 ദിവസം അഥവാ മൂന്നു മാസം ആണ്. എന്നാൽ, ഈ വീസ ഉപയോഗിച്ച് ഒന്നിലധികം തവണ നമുക്ക് സൗദിയിലേക്കു പ്രവേശിക്കാവുന്നതാണ്. അതേസമയം, ഉംറ വീസ ഉപയോഗിച്ച് ഒരു തവണ മാത്രമാണ് സൗദിയിലേക്ക് പ്രവേശിക്കാൻ കഴിയുകയുള്ളൂ. ഉംറ വീസയുടെ കാലാവധിയും 90 ദിവസമാണ്. വീസ നിയമത്തിലെ പുതിയ മാറ്റം വരാനിരിക്കുന്ന ഹജ് സീസണിനോട് അനുബന്ധിച്ചാണ്.

പഴയ വീസ നിയമം അനുസരിച്ചാണെങ്കിൽ ഉംറ വീസയുടെ മൂന്നു മാസത്തെ കാലാവധി ആരംഭിക്കുന്നത് സൗദിയിൽ പ്രവേശിക്കുന്ന അന്നു മുതലാണ്. എന്നാൽ, പുതുക്കിയ ഉംറ വീസ നിയമം അനുസരിച്ച് വീസ ഇഷ്യു ചെയ്ത അന്നുമുതലാണ് വീസയുടെ മൂന്നു മാസത്തെ കാലാവധി. ഉംറ വീസയുള്ള ഒരാൾക്ക് രാജ്യത്ത് പ്രവേശിച്ച് ഉംറ അനുഷ്ഠിക്കാൻ സാധിക്കും.

ഉംറ വീസ എന്തിനൊക്കെ ഉപയോഗിക്കാം ?

ഉംറ വീസ ലഭിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളയാൾ വീസ നിയമങ്ങൾ കൃത്യമായി പാലിക്കേണ്ടതുണ്ട്. ഉംറ വീസ ഒരിക്കലും ദുരുപയോഗം ചെയ്യരുത്. കൂടാതെ വീസയുടെ കാലാവധി കഴിയുന്നതിനു മുൻപ് സൗദി അറേബ്യയിൽ നിന്നു മടങ്ങേണ്ടതുമാണ്. തീർഥാടനവുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾ അല്ലാതെ ജോലി സംബന്ധമായ കാര്യങ്ങൾക്കായോ മറ്റ് എന്തെങ്കിലും പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾക്കായോ ഉംറ വീസ ഉപയോഗിക്കരുതെന്നും കർശനമായി നിർദ്ദേശിക്കുന്നു.

ഹജ്ജും ഉംറയും ഒന്നു തന്നെയാണോ?

ഹജ്ജും ഉംറയും ഒന്നു തന്നെയാണെന്ന് കരുതുന്ന ചിലരെങ്കിലും ഉണ്ടാകും. എന്നാൽ, ഇത് രണ്ടും ഒന്നല്ല. ഹജ്ജും ഉംറയും തീർഥാടനം തന്നെയാണെങ്കിലും എല്ലാ വർഷവും ഹജ് നിർവഹിക്കുന്നതിന് ഒരു പ്രത്യേക സമയമുണ്ട്. ഈ വർഷം ജൂൺ 14 മുതൽ 19 വരെയാണ് ഹജ് സീസൺ. ഹജ് എല്ലാ മുസ്‌ലിംകളും ജീവിതത്തിൽ ഒരിക്കലെങ്കിലും നിർബന്ധമായും നിർവഹിക്കേണ്ട ഒന്നാണ്. എന്നാൽ, ഉംറ ഇസ്ലാമിക് കലണ്ടർ അനുസരിച്ച് വർഷത്തിൽ എപ്പോൾ വേണമെങ്കിലും നിർവഹിക്കാവുന്നതാണ്. സൗദി ടൂറിസ്റ്റ് വീസയിൽ വിനോദസഞ്ചാരവുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾ കൂടാതെ കുടുംബക്കാരെ സന്ദർശിക്കുന്നതും ഉംറ നിർവഹിക്കുന്നതും വരെ ഉൾപ്പെടുത്തിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. എന്നാൽ, ടൂറിസ്റ്റ് വീസയിൽ എത്തുന്നവർക്ക് ഹജ് നിർവഹിക്കാൻ കഴിയില്ല.  

ഉംറ വിസയിൽ എത്തിയാലും ഹജ് നിർവഹിക്കാൻ കഴിയില്ല. ഹജ് നിർവഹിക്കണമെങ്കിൽ സൗദിയുടെ ഹജ് വീസ തന്നെ കരസ്ഥമാക്കേണ്ടതാണ്. 2024ലെ ഹജിനുള്ള വീസകൾ നൽകുന്നത് ഏപ്രിൽ 29ന് അവസാനിക്കും.

Saudi Arabia Announces Major Changes to Umrah Visa Policy: Apply for Hajj by April 29th

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Home blogs Saudi nationals can now get visas lasting five years under the latest EU-Schengen update

Saudi nationals can now get visas lasting five years under the latest EU-Schengen update

The European Union (EU) has made travel to Europe significantly easier for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain by implementing a visa relaxation program. This initiative, announced in April 2024, streamlines the Schengen Area visa application process for these countries. Previously, obtaining a Schengen visa might have involved a shorter validity period and potentially single-entry restrictions. Under the new program, citizens from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain are now eligible for multiple-entry visas valid for five years. This means they can enjoy the freedom to travel throughout the Schengen zone, encompassing 26 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Romania, for multiple trips over a five-year period with just one visa.

Visa Changes

Visa duration:

The visa relaxation marks a significant change in travel rules. Now, people from these Gulf countries can get multiple-entry visas, allowing them to travel seamlessly to the Schengen area, which includes the EU's member states, Bulgaria, and Romania. These visas offer holders the freedom to travel within the Schengen territory multiple times during the specified period (5 years), providing unprecedented flexibility for tourism, business, and personal trips. This move reflects the EU's commitment to promoting cultural exchange and connectivity between different regions, streamlining procedures and fostering a more inclusive global community. Overall, it represents a step towards stronger ties and better understanding between the Gulf nations and the EU, promising enriched experiences for travelers and host communities alike.

Validity period:

The visa policy change simplified travel for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain by granting them five-year multiple-entry visas to the Schengen area, encompassing EU member states, Bulgaria, and Romania. This extended validity period streamlines travel logistics, allowing for multiple visits within the five-year timeframe without the hassle of frequent visa applications. It demonstrates the EU's commitment to fostering closer ties with these Gulf nations, promoting seamless mobility, and facilitating long-term collaboration across diplomatic, commercial, and cultural domains. This policy update marks a significant step towards enhancing connectivity and promoting mutual understanding between the EU and the Gulf region.

Travel privileges:

During the validity period of the visa, holders will enjoy travel privileges akin to those granted to nationals who do not require a visa. This means that individuals from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman holding these visas can enjoy the same ease of travel within the Schengen area as citizens of countries with visa-free access. They can explore various destinations, engage in business activities, and immerse themselves in cultural experiences without facing additional restrictions or limitations typically associated with visa requirements. This provision reflects the EU's commitment to promoting seamless mobility and facilitating equal opportunities for travelers from different parts of the world, fostering inclusivity and openness within its borders.

French Envoy Endorses Visa Relaxation for Saudi Nationals

Ludovic Pouille, the French envoy to Riyadh, has expressed his enthusiastic support for the recent decision regarding visa relaxation, emphasizing the significant benefits it brings to Saudi nationals. He highlighted the opportunity for Saudi visitors to obtain five-year Schengen visas from their initial application, warmly inviting them to France for tourism or business purposes. This endorsement underscores the positive impact of the policy change on facilitating travel and fostering cultural exchange between the Gulf nations and the European Union. Overall, this development is seen as a positive step forward in promoting closer ties and cooperation between the two regions.

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Saudi Arabia grants Umrah pilgrimage access to all visa holders

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL NEWS , SAUDI ARABIA / Updated : Apr 29, 2024, 09:45 IST

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To facilitate a smooth and hassle-free journey for Umrah pilgrims, the Saudi Ministry recommends using the Nusuk application to obtain Umrah permits. Additionally, pilgrims are advised to adhere strictly to designated timings for … Read more

To facilitate a smooth and hassle-free journey for Umrah pilgrims, the Saudi Ministry recommends using the Nusuk application to obtain Umrah permits. Additionally, pilgrims are advised to adhere strictly to designated timings for rituals at the Grand Mosque. Read less

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To facilitate a smooth and hassle-free journey for Umrah pilgrims, the Saudi Ministry recommends using the Nusuk application to obtain Umrah permits. Additionally, pilgrims are advised to adhere stric...

New Schengen visa rules for Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and India

T ravelling to Europe has become much more convenient for GCC and Indian visitors. The European Commission has approved new regulations for the issuance of Schengen visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman who live in their home countries.

Under the new system, Saudi, Bahraini and Omanis will now have access to multiple-entry visas, allowing them to travel to 25 out of the 27 EU countries using the same visa within five years.

This implementation has significantly simplified the process of obtaining a Schengen visa, making it much more convenient for eligible applicants, even first-time applicants. They can now look forward to receiving a multiple-entry visa that remains valid for up to five years, relieving them of the stress of frequent visa applications.

"The European Commission has adopted new rules for the issuance of Schengen visas for Saudi, Bahraini and Omani nationals residing in their home country. It is an important step promoting people-to-people contacts and facilitating exchanges between the EU and GCC citizens," the delegation of the European Union in GCC posted on X.

Kuwaitis can be issued with long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for five years. UAE nationals enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen nations, permitting stays of up to three months at a time. However, a Schengen visa is a must for UAE residents.

Additionally, the European Commission adopted specific rules on issuing multiple entry visas to Indians. Under the new regulations, Indian travellers are now eligible to obtain a two-year Schengen visa, a significant enhancement compared to the shorter validity periods previously offered.

To qualify for this extended visa, applicants must have obtained and used two Schengen visas within the last three years in accordance with the regulations. Upon successfully utilising the two-year visa, travellers can typically anticipate eligibility for a five-year Schengen visa, subject to the maintenance of sufficient passport validity.

This decision comes in the context of strengthened relations under the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, which seeks comprehensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India, with the facilitation of people-to-people contacts being a key aspect due to the importance of India as a partner for the EU.

These changes ease the visa application process and facilitate smoother travel experiences.

Schengen visas allow the holder to travel freely in the Schengen area for short stays of a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work. The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries (of which 25 are EU states): Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

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New visa update: Saudis can now get a five-year Schengen visa

The EU announced the news on Monday…

It’s no secret that Saudis love to travel, and now travel to Europe has been made so much easier. Saudis can now get a multiple-entry five-year visa into the European Union.

The move also applies to other states in the GCC including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and of course Saudi Arabia.

The news was announced by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at the opening session of the first high-level EU-GCC Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation in Luxembourg.

#عاجل 🔊 بشرى ممتازة اليوم : سيحصل المواطنون السعوديون 🇸🇦 على تأشيرات شنغن 🇪🇺 لمدّة ٥ سنوات عند أول طلب! قرار أوروبي اتخذ اليوم ودعمته فرنسا بقوّة! الأصدقاء السعوديون، نتطلع إلى رؤية المزيد والمزيد منكم في فرنسا، سواء للسياحة أو العمل! أهلًا وسهلًا بكم في فرنسا! 🇸🇦💙🇨🇵🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/mswyjqqEHu — Ludovic Pouille (@ludovic_pouille) April 22, 2024

The visa can be used in all of the countries below:

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

How to get it

According to the rules, Saudi Arabian nationals and third-country nationals who are legally resident in the Kingdom can apply in Saudi Arabia.

To apply for a Schengen visa in Saudi Arabia go to the VFS Global application centre in Al Khobar, Aramco Dhahran, Jeddah or Riyadh. For all first-time visas, you need to register your fingerprints at the office. Normally the Schengen visa costs EUR60 (or SAR240).

Visit: visa.vfsglobal.com or  european-union.europa.eu .