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Cars 4 Rental Information on Saudi Arabia

General

Area: 2,240,000 sq km (864,869 sq miles).

Population: 22,010,000 (official estimate 2000).

Population Density: 9.8 per sq km.

Capital: Riyadh (royal). Population: 2,776,100 (1992). Jeddah (administrative). Population: 2,046,300 (1992).

GEOGRAPHY: Saudi Arabia occupies four-fifths of the Arabian peninsula. It is bordered to the northwest by Jordan, to the north by Iraq and Kuwait, to the east by the Gulf of Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, and to the south by Yemen. To the west lies the Red Sea. Along the Red Sea coast is a narrow coastal strip (Tihama) which becomes relatively hotter and more humid towards the south and has areas of extensive tidal flats and lava fields. Behind this coastal plain is a series of plateaux reaching up to 2000m (6560ft). The southern part of this range, Asir, has some peaks of over 3000m (9840ft). North of these mountains, in the far north, is An Nafud, a sand sea, and further south the landscape rises to Najd, a semi-desert area scattered with oases. Still further south the land falls away, levelling out to unremitting desert, the uninhabited ‘Empty Quarter’ or Rub al Khali. Along the Gulf coast is a low fertile plain giving way to limestone ridges inland.

Government: Absolute monarchy since 1932. Head of State and Government: King Fahd Ibn Abd al-Aziz Al-Sa'ud since 1982.

Language: Arabic. English is spoken in business circles.

Religion: The majority of Saudi Arabians follow Islam; around 85 per cent are Sunni Muslim, but Shia Muslims predominate in the Eastern Province.

Time: GMT + 3.

Electricity: 125/215 volts AC, 50/60Hz.

Telephone

A sophisticated telecommunications network and satellite, microwave and cable systems span the country. Full IDD is available. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900 band networks are available in over 45 cities. Main network providers include Awalnet (website: www.awalnet.net.sa/english), Electronics App Est (website: www.eae.com.sa) and Saudi Telecom Company (website: www.stc.com.sa).

Fax

Major hotels provide facilities.

Internet

The Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephones provides Internet facilities in most cities. E-mail can also be accessed from many hotels and Internet cafes. Main ISPs include Arab Net (website: www.arab.net.sa) and Shabakah (website: www.shabakah.net.sa).

Telegram

Telegrams can be sent from all post offices.

Post

Internal and international services available from the Central Post Office. Post is delivered to box numbers. Airmail to Europe takes up to 1 week. Surface mail takes up to 5 months.

Press

The main newspapers include Al-Jazirah and Ar-Riyadh. English-language dailies include Arab News, Riyadh Daily and Saudi Gazette.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Currency: Saudi Arabian Riyal (SR) = 100 halala; 5 halala = 20 qurush. Notes are in denominations of SR500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25, 10, and 5 halala, and 10, 5, 2 and 1 qurush.

Currency exchange: Most foreign currencies can be exchanged at commercial banks and money-changers, which stay open longer.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Widely accepted although they can be hard to change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Saudi Riyal, Euros, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling and to carry the purchase receipt.

Currency restrictions: Free import and export of both local and foreign currency. Import of Israeli currency is prohibited.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Riyal against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04
£1.00= 5.98 6.36 6.82 6.69
$1.00= 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75

Banking hours: Sat-Wed 0830-1200 and 1700-1900; Thurs 0830-1200. Money-changers stay open longer.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No 1
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio 2 N/A
Malaria 3 N/A

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers arriving within 6 days from countries of which any parts are infected.

2: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

3: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year in most of the Southern region except the high altitude areas of Asir Province, and the urban areas of the Western Province (Jeddah, Mecca, Medina and Taif). Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine plus proguanil.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Note: During the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Saudi Arabia requires vaccination of pilgrims against meningococcal meningitis. Although this applies mainly to pilgrims, other travellers may find themselves affected, especially during the month of August. Vaccination is compulsory all year round, however, for nationals of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria arriving from the following countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Dem Rep), Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Sudan.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A is common and hepatitis B is endemic. Visceral leishmaniasis occurs in the southwest of the country. Cases of Rift Valley Fever have been reported.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Medical facilities are generally of a high standard, but treatment is expensive. Health insurance is essential.

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Climate

Saudi Arabia has a desert climate. In Jeddah it is warm for most of the year. Riyadh, which is inland, is hotter in summer and colder in winter, when occasional heavy rainstorms occur. The Rub al Khali (‘empty Quarter’) seldom receives rain, making Saudi Arabia one of the driest countries in the world.

Required clothing: Tropical or lightweight clothing.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes Yes Yes
Australian Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes Yes Yes
USA Yes Yes Yes
OtherEU Yes Yes Yes
Japanese Yes Yes Yes

Restricted entry: (a) Holders of an Israeli passport or passports with Israeli stamps in them. (b) Passengers not complying with Saudi conventions of dress and behaviour, including those who appear to be in a state of intoxication, or who display inappropriate affection (especially between men and women) will be refused entry (see Social Conventions section). (c) There are special regulations concerning pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia. Contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for further information. Members of the Quadyani religious group may be refused entry when travelling for pilgrimage purposes.

Note: (a) Unaccompanied women must be met at the airport by their sponsor or husband and have confirmed onward reservations as far as their final destination in Saudi Arabia. If met by a sponsor, it is worth noting that there are restrictions on women travelling by car with men who are not related by blood or marriage. However it is acceptable for women visiting for business purposes to be accompanied and met at the airport by male business partners: further enquiries can be made at the Information Centre or Embassy. Women and under-aged children should be accompanied by a Moharram (close male family member). (b) No foreign passenger who is working as a domestic servant in Saudi Arabia should be transported to Saudi Arabia unless holding a valid non-refundable return ticket.

PASSPORTS: A passport valid for 6 months at time of entry is required by all except Muslim pilgrims holding Pilgrim Passes, tickets and other documents for their onward or return journey and entering the country via Jeddah or Medina - although sufficient evidence of Muslim faith must be provided (eg religious authenticated certificate). All passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the estimated stay in Saudi Arabia.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates;
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 18 hours, provided holding valid onward or return documentation, not leaving the airport and making no further landing in Saudi Arabia (except nationals of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria who always require a transit visa);
(c) holders of re-entry permits and ‘Landing Permits’ issued by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (see Contact Addresses section).

Types of visa and cost: Family Visit: £39. Business: £39; £96 (multiple-entry). Work: £10, if paying at Embassy, or SR1000 to be paid by employer in Saudi Arabia. Residency: £10. Transit: £10. Pilgrim (Ummra): no charge (1 to 3 months for a maximum of 30 days).

Note: (a) The Pilgrim (Ummra) visa can only be obtained through an authorised 'Ummra Agency', appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Check with Embassy for a full list of appointed agents. Administrative fees may apply. (b) Transit passengers who stay in the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah Islamic Port or Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina for over 24 hours can perform Ummra or visit a Holy Mosque, provided they withhold a signed agreement with one of the appointed Ummra agencies.

Validity: The visa stay period starts from the first day of entry into Saudi Arabia within the visa’s valid dates. Ummra visas are valid for 30 days once in Saudi Arabia.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Travellers are advised to apply well in advance.

Application requirements: Family/Residency: (a) One application form. (b) One passport-size photo affixed to application form. Children travelling on parents' passport must have photos affixed on passport and endorsed by relevant authorities with photos attached on application form. Copies of birth certificate and marriage certificate of all accompanying children and spouses are also required. (c) Passport valid for at least 6 months. (d) Prepaid, self-addressed, recorded delivery envelope, if applying by post. If applying by post from Ireland (Rep), enclose a minimum of 9 coupons. (e) Fee (payable in cash, by postal order or by banker’s draft only for nationals from Ireland (Rep)). (f) Invitation from host or sponsor, with authorisation from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (g) Medical report, authenticated by the UK Foreign Office (for persons over 15 years of age). Applicants from Ireland (Rep) should legalise their medical report at the Irish Foreign Office in Dublin. (h) Authorisation from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, obtained by their sponsor in Saudi Arabia. Business: (a)-(e) and, (f) Letter of invitation from Saudi host company endorsed by Saudi Chamber of Commerce (original and copy). (g) Letter from company or organisation in own country. Work: (a)-(e) and, (f) Letter of introduction from Saudi sponsor and copy of the employment contract. (g) Copies of academic qualifications and work experience in the field of job applied for. (h) Letter of No Objection if previously employed in Saudi Arabia. (i) An amount equivalent to SR50 deposited at the Consulate’s cashier desk. Pilgrim: (a)-(d) and, (e) Airline ticket with confirmed booking (both ways). The point of entry and departure must be Jeddah or Medina. (f) Meningitis immunisation certificate with validity for more than 3 years and vaccination issued no less than 10 days before travelling. A Yellow Fever certificate may be required, if travelling from an infected area. (g) ID card must be worn on wrist band and luggage must be clearly labelled: 'PILGRIM'. (h) Two passport-size photos must be attached to application form and 12 passport-size photos must be taken on trip. Children aged 1 year and older must have an endorsed photo affixed on their parents' passport. (i) Certified cheque to Ummra agency, as negotiated. (j) Proof of conversion to Islam may have to be submitted. Transit: (a)-(e) and, (f) Airline ticket reservation showing proof of leaving Saudi Arabia within 48 hours and visa valid for next destination if applicable.

Note: An Exit Permit is required for most nationals, requiring a passport-size photo and must be issued by the Chief of Police (usually processed within 3 days after application). It is advised to enquire at the nearest Embassy for further information.

Working days required: At least 24 hours. At least 1 week if applying by post. For information on processing time for all other types of visa, contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy).

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