Saudi Arabia, a land of rich culture and history, is increasingly becoming a destination of interest for travelers worldwide. However, before planning a trip, it’s crucial to understand the specific rules, laws, and customs that govern the Kingdom. This guide provides essential information to help you navigate your travel preparations and ensure a safe and respectful visit.
Dual Citizenship Considerations
Saudi Arabia generally doesn’t recognize dual nationality. Saudi citizens need official permission to obtain a second nationality. In the past, there have been instances where Saudi authorities confiscated the passports of U.S. citizens applying for Saudi citizenship. If this happens, report it to the U.S. Embassy. This situation doesn’t mean you lose your U.S. citizenship.
Arrest Notification Protocol
If you are arrested or detained, it’s important to ask police or prison officials to immediately notify the U.S. Embassy or consulate. However, Saudi Arabia often restricts consular notification to the embassy of the country that issued the travel document used to enter the Kingdom. Therefore, if you enter with a Saudi travel document or a passport from a country other than the U.S., it may be very difficult for the U.S. Embassy to provide consular services. Detainees may be held for long periods without charges or access to counsel, and dual citizens might not receive consular assistance. More information can be found on the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s website.
Drone Regulations
Importing drones for commercial or personal use is prohibited without prior approval from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). You can obtain a customs clearance certificate as part of the GACA approval process. Visit GACA’s website for details.
Understanding Criminal Penalties
While in Saudi Arabia, you are subject to local laws. Violating these laws, even unknowingly, can result in expulsion, arrest, imprisonment, lengthy detention without trial, interrogation without counsel, corporal punishments (including lashings), or even execution.
Penalties for alcohol or illegal drug offenses are severe, including long jail sentences, heavy fines, public floggings, and deportation. Drug trafficking is punishable by death. Additionally, some laws are prosecutable in the United States regardless of local law, such as crimes against minors abroad (see the Department of Justice website).
Freedom of speech and political expression are substantially limited. Refer to the Department of State’s Human Rights Report for Saudi Arabia for more information.
Faith-Related Travel Considerations
Islam is the official religion and permeates all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia. Refer to the Hajj and Umrah Fact Sheet for additional information.
The Kaaba in Mecca, a central pilgrimage site in Islam, reflects the strong religious influence in Saudi Arabia.
Criticism of Islam or Muslim religious figures, including on social media, is prohibited. The public practice of religions other than Islam is also prohibited, and those suspected of violating these restrictions have been jailed and/or deported. Church services in private homes have been raided. Muslims who do not adhere to the strict interpretation of Islam prevalent in much of Saudi Arabia may face 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 from traveling to Mecca and parts of Medina. More details can be found in the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report.
Considerations for LGB Travelers
Same-sex sexual relations, even consensual, are criminalized in Saudi Arabia. Violations of laws governing perceived expressions of or support for same-sex sexual relations can result in severe punishment, including fines, jail time, or death. See the LGB Travel Information page and the Department of State’s Human Rights report for more details.
Accessibility Assistance for Travelers with Disabilities
Accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities may differ significantly from what is found in the United States. Saudi law doesn’t prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities, and there’s no legislation requiring public accessibility. Newer commercial and government buildings often include such access. The Ministry of Labor and Social Development indicates the presence of numerous government-sponsored centers for people with disabilities. However, Saudi Arabia has limited infrastructure to care for those with mental disabilities.
Information for Students
See the Department’s Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Guidelines for Women Residents and Travelers
Married women, including non-Saudis, require their husband’s permission to depart the country, while unmarried women and children need the permission of their father or male guardian.
Minor children need their father’s permission to leave the Kingdom, even if they are American citizens. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates cannot obtain exit visas for 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 children born during the marriage, even if they have been granted physical custody. Foreign mothers of Saudi children, who are divorced or widowed, can apply for a permanent residency permit (iqama) without a sponsor if they prove maternity and legal marriage to the Saudi father. See also the Department’s travel tips for Women Travelers.
Employment Regulations
The Arabic text of a contract governs employment and business arrangements under Saudi law. Verbal assurances or side letters are not binding. In contract disputes, Saudi authorities refer to the written contract.
Understanding Saudi labor laws is crucial for foreigners working in the country to avoid potential disputes and ensure fair treatment.
Sponsors have wide latitude and responsibilities for employees and family members under their sponsorship, including obtaining residence permits (iqama). All residents must carry their iqama at all times. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General cannot sponsor private U.S. citizens for Saudi visas. Sponsors have been known to demand passports, which is illegal and should be reported to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development. Since the sponsor controls exit permits, U.S. citizens may be prevented from leaving in the event of a labor or business dispute. Changing employers 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, but they can provide lists of local attorneys. For additional information on Saudi labor law, refer to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development’s webpage.
Customs Regulations
Saudi customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the importation of banned items such as alcohol, weapons, and anything contrary to Islamic tenets (e.g., pork, pornographic materials, 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 inspected 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 require a Veterinary Health Certificate and a dated letter from the veterinary practitioner addressed to the sponsor. 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 animal’s name, breed, sex, color, and age must also be stated. Please see additional information on taking a pet overseas.
Teaching English in Saudi Arabia
In recent years, 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 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 ensure they obtain the appropriate work visa prior to arrival. The Embassy cannot assist 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 as the mutawwa or al-hay’a, enforce these standards.
The presence of religious police underscores the importance of adhering to local customs and traditions in Saudi Arabia.
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 them. An individual must, if requested, present their residence permit (iqama) or other identification to the mutawwa or the police. U.S. citizens involved in an incident with the mutawwa should report it to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the U.S. Consulates General in Jeddah or Dhahran.
In most areas, 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 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 are segregated by sex. Members of the mutawwa may ask 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). 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, Saudi Arabia remains socially conservative. Social media postings which contravene cultural standards can have legal and/or criminal consequences.
Photography Restrictions
The Saudi government prohibits photography of governmental facilities, such as military bases and government buildings, and military, security, or police personnel. The government is also sensitive to photographs that may be perceived as portraying the country in an unfavorable light, including photos of mosques, impoverished areas, the local population, and traditional souks (markets). Do 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.
Conclusion
Traveling to Saudi Arabia can be a rewarding experience, offering a glimpse into a unique culture and history. By understanding and respecting local laws and customs, travelers can ensure a safe and enjoyable visit. Always stay informed about current regulations and maintain a high level of cultural sensitivity.
