Doing Business In Saudi Arabia - Bna

There is strict gender separation in the Kingdom and restaurants maintain separate
sections for single men and families. Wives are often excluded from social gatherings
or are entertained separately.
Travel Advisory Return to top
The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports that suggest terrorist action against
U.S. interests in Saudi Arabia remains a possibility. Because of continuing security
concerns, the U.S. Embassy, Consulates General, and the U.S. military elements
throughout the country routinely review their security postures and make
improvements wherever possible to lessen their vulnerabilities. The Embassy strongly
encourages all Americans resident in Saudi Arabia to likewise take appropriate steps
to increase their security awareness and lessen their vulnerability.
In addition, the State Department issues Consular Information Sheets for every
country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime,
unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the
nearest U.S. embassy or Consulate in the subject country.
Americans traveling to Saudi Arabia for a short period of time are encouraged to
register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulates and to obtain the most current security
information. This process can be done before departing the U.S. through the Internet
Based Registration System (IBRS).
Americans who expect to spend more time visiting Saudi Arabia or who are resident in
Saudi Arabia are encouraged to register through the IBRS and to subscribe to the
American Embassy warden system to receive the latest Warden Messages and Travel
Warnings. The Warden system will inform the resident American community of current
security matters.
Visa Requirements Return to top
Saudi visas in passports valid for at least six months are required for entry. Visas can
be obtained for business and work, to visit close relatives, for religious visits, and lately
for tourism. Most visas are single entry and allow for a maximum six-month stay,
however, the Saudi Government has recently started granting multiple-entry business
visas, but the process is still done on an ad hoc basis. Visas are not available upon
arrival at ports of entry yet, but the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reviewing the
process of granting business visas at ports of entry for OECD nationals.
In the meantime, and in order to obtain a visitor's visa for business purposes, each
U.S. company representative must have a letter of invitation from a sponsoring entity
in Saudi Arabia. This letter must be in Arabic, the U.S. applicant may present a copy
of the original letter, the letter must be on sponsoring company letterhead, and must
bear an authenticating stamp of the local Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
5/13/2008