This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Security section (clashes on Saudi-Yemen border). The overall level of the advice has changed. We now advise against all but essential travel to areas close to the Saudi-Yemen border in the Jizan, Asir and Najran provinces.
Travel Summary
- There have been clashes with Saudi forces and Yemeni rebels on the Saudi-Yemen border in early November. This comes on the back of the renewed fighting in Northern Yemen between rebels and the Government of Yemen since August 2009. There is a continued risk of clashes. We advise against all but essential travel to areas close to the Saudi-Yemen border in the Jizan, Asir and Najran provinces. Please contact the British Embassy in Riyadh before travelling to these areas. Travellers should exercise caution in all areas close to the Saudi-Yemen border. Please check this advice for further updates.
- Please note that until Eid, all Muslim visitors travelling to Jeddah and Medina will need to have a valid Hajj visa. Non-Muslim visitors travelling to these destinations may be asked to explain the purpose of your trip or asked to show evidence of appointments before being allowed to board a flight to Jeddah if you are not travelling for the Hajj. Any Muslim visitor arriving in Jeddah or Medina without a valid Hajj visa will be refused entry. This requirement does not apply to other airports or British residents in Saudi Arabia.
- This year the Saudi authorities have introduced new entry requirements for Hajj pilgrims. If you intend to travel to the Hajj, please see our Hajj-specific advice.
- There is a continuing high threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. We continue to believe that terrorists are planning further attacks, including against Westerners and places associated with Westerners in Saudi Arabia. We believe aviation interests and oil infrastructure remain possible terrorist targets. On 27 August there was an unsuccessful suicide bomb attack against a Saudi Government Minister in Jeddah. Two terrorists were killed, one arrested, and one policeman killed, in an incident at a checkpoint in Jazan on 13 October 2009. The incident took place about 110km north of the Saudi-Yemeni border. The clashes in early November between Saudi Forces and Yemeni rebels took place close to the Saudi-Yemen border, several hundred kilometres from the pilgrimage sites and should not affect travel plans for the Hajj.
- There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) – Swine Flu in Saudi Arabia, including deaths (source: Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health). All passengers arriving in Saudi Arabia will be screened and subject toa temperature check. If you have an elevated temperature you may be tested for H1N1. If tested you will have to wait in the airport for the results and may be subject to lengthy delays. Passengers with negative results will be released. Passengers who test positive will be quarantined at a local hospital There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.
- 52 British nationals required consular assistance in Saudi Arabia in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (31 cases); hospitalisations (5 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (8 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (58 cases). A significant proportion of requests for consular assistance were received from pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah, in particular in relation to disputes and dissatisfaction with tour operators. See the Pilgrimage section of this advice for more details.
- Saudi Arabian Customs officials have authority to screen all electronic devices ( laptops, mobile phones, PDAs etc ) entering or leaving Saudi Arabia. If requested, all passengers will be submitted to a thorough verification and inspection at international airports. Anyone found to be carrying pirated or explicit materials will have their equipment confiscated. Refusal to comply with this rule will result in detention and/or deportation.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
There is a high threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. We continue to believe that terrorists are planning further attacks in Saudi Arabia, including against Westerners and places associated with Westerners. We believe aviation interests and oil infrastructure remain a possible terrorist target.
The Saudi security forces continue to take action against terrorist groups which has lead to a number of terrorists being either killed or imprisoned and terrorist activities disrupted.
This success should not give rise to complacency: even though terrorist networks are disrupted we continue to believe that remaining terrorists may resort to opportunistic attacks on western targets.
Terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia have taken various forms. At their height in 2003 and 2004 they included kidnapping; large-scale truck bombings of residential compounds and Saudi government offices; an attack on the US Consulate in Jeddah; targeted shootings of individuals; small-scale car bombings; parcel bombings; and bombing of shopping areas. In February 2006, terrorists attacked an oil processing centre in Abqaiq, Eastern Province, detonating two car bombs, but were prevented from doing more serious damage; and in February 2007 four French nationals were shot dead in an incident in the vicinity of Medina. On 27 August there was an unsuccessful suicide bomb attack against a Saudi Government Minister in Jeddah. Two terrorists were killed, one arrested, and one policeman killed, in an incident at a checkpoint in Jazan on 13 October 2009. The incident took place about 110km north of the Saudi-Yemeni border.
You should take all necessary steps to protect your safety and should make sure you have confidence in your individual security arrangements. You should maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly in public places. You should take sensible precautions for your personal and vehicle safety. You should avoid any large gatherings or demonstrations.
British residents in Saudi Arabia are given specific guidance by the British Embassy and Consulates, including through Wardens notices.
You should follow news reports and be alert to regional developments. Any increase in regional tension might affect travel advice.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.Security
There have been clashes with Yemeni rebels on the Saudi-Yemen border. Since August 2009 there has been renewed fighting in Northern Yemen between rebels and the Government of Yemen. In early November 2009, Yemeni rebels crossed the border into Saudi territory. There have been reports of a number of casualties, including some civilian fatalities, in resulting clashes between Saudi Forces and the rebels. We advice against all but essential travel to areas close to the Saudi-Yemen border in the Jizan, Asir and Najran provinces. Please contact the British Embassy in Riyadh before travelling to these areas. Travellers should exercise caution in all areas close to the Saudi-Yemen border. Please check this advice for further updates.
Political situationSaudi Arabia Country Profile
Developments in Iraq and on the Middle East Peace Process continue to have an impact on local public opinion in the region. You should be aware of local sensitivities on these issues. You should follow local news reports and be alert to local and regional developments, which might trigger public disturbances. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings.
Pilgrimage
The Saudi authorities highly recommend that those who suffer from chronic diseases, such as heart disease, kidney disease, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and patients with congenital immunodeficiency, HIV, Metabolic Syndrome and pregnant women refrain from performing Hajj or Umrah this year for their own safety. They also highly recommended that those aged under 12 and over 65 years old defer performing Hajj or Umrah for this year. Please note that the advice on the Saudi Arabian Embassy website no longer requires pilgrims to obtain a flu vaccination.
You should be aware that there is a high likelihood of transmission of swine flu in the course of the pilgrimage. Although health care facilities for the Hajj are generally of a high standard, it is possible that, due to the large number of pilgrims, the healthcare available might be less than would normally be expected in the UK for people who are vulnerable to complications.
You should carefully consider the information provided on the website of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London before travelling and check the Health section below.
Pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia through other countries should check for advice on travel restrictions with that relevant embassy in London.
Saudi government regulations stipulate that British pilgrims performing Umrah and Hajj can only travel with UK travel agencies accredited with the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. You should confirm the full itinerary for your pilgrimage before departing the UK. If you find yourself in difficulties during your pilgrimage, you or your relatives should contact the British Consulate-General in Jeddah (tel: +966 2 622 5550/5557/5558).In recent years there have been improvements in the way the Hajj Pilgrimage is organised and the last time deaths and injury were caused as a result of stampede was in 2006. As with any gathering with large numbers of people care should continue to be taken.
There has been an increase in the number of reported cases of pickpocketing and other forms of theft in Mecca, particularly in the region of the Grand Mosque and in Medina. You should take additional care with travel documents, tickets and other valuables while visiting these two areas. We also recommend that you should make a copy of your passport before you travel, and keep it in a safe place.
The Saudi authorities have issued instructions forbidding the taking of photographs (still or video, including mobile telephone photographs) at the Holy Mosque at Makkah or at the Prophet's Mosque at Medina. This restriction also includes the courtyards surrounding these two holy sites. Any violation of these instructions is likely to lead to the confiscation of either film and/or camera.
For more general information see Hajj Pilgrims.
Standards of driving in Saudi Arabia are poor and this combined with large, open and straight roads which allow people to drive fast, results in a high number of serious motor vehicle accidents each year. Care should be taken when travelling by vehicle and seatbelts should be worn at all times. When travelling between cities it is important to be aware of the large distances between urban areas and the fact that it can take emergency services some time to get to any accidents or emergencies.
Crime
The crime rate is low and is not usually a problem for travellers in Saudi Arabia. However, petty crime does occur, especially in crowded areas. Occasionally, British nationals have been the victims of more serious crimes such as assault and robbery, the latest being a British national who was stabbed in Jubail, Eastern Province on 20 November 2006. You should exercise caution when travelling outside urban areas.
Sea Travel
Shipping serving the oil installations should be aware that oil infrastructure remains a possible terrorist target. Shipping must ensure that their SSPs are fully and robustly implemented while operating in the area. All ships are to maintain a high state of vigilance while in Saudi Arabian ports and report anything suspicious to the appropriate authorities.
There have been acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around the Red Sea. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.
Many areas of the Gulf are highly sensitive, including near maritime boundaries and the islands of Abu Musa and the Tunbs in the southern Gulf. Vessels entering these areas have been detained and inspected; and there have been occasional arrests. Mariners should make careful enquiries before entering these waters or considering visiting ports.
Local laws and customs
Your Trip.
Entry requirements
All visitors, including pilgrims, require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. These should be applied for through visa agencies accredited to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. Please note that until Eid, all Muslim visitors travelling to Jeddah and Medina will need to have a valid Hajj visa. Non-Muslim visitors travelling to these destinations may be asked to explain the purpose of your trip or asked to show evidence of appointments before being allowed to board a flight to Jeddah if you are not travelling for the Hajj. Any Muslim visitor arriving in Jeddah or Medina without a valid Hajj visa will be refused entry. This requirement does not apply to other airports or British residents in Saudi Arabia.
British residents in Saudi Arabia should remember that they require a valid exit/re-entry permit from the Saudi Ministry of Interior in order to leave the country.
On occasion, Saudi visas have been refused when passports have reflected travel to Israel or indicated an Israeli birthplace.
Passport validity
Passports must have a minimum validity of six months on arrival to allow the holder entry to Saudi Arabia.
Female travellers
Women visitors and residents are required to be met by their sponsor upon arrival. Women travelling alone, who are not met by sponsors, have experienced delays before being allowed to enter the country or to continue on other flights.
Foreign women married to Saudi nationals require permission from their husbands for themselves and their children to leave Saudi Arabia.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country, or in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.
Health
There have been cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in south-west Saudi Arabia, mainly in the Jizan area. There have also been cases of cerebral malaria but only in Jizan itself. The outbreaks of cerebral malaria are local and do not affect Jeddah or any other areas of Saudi Arabia. If you intend to visit the Jizan region should you seek medical advice on Rift Valley Fever and cerebral malaria before travelling. There have been a number of isolated cases of dengue fever in Jeddah over the last year. You should take sensible precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
Particularly during Hajj and Ramadan, contagious diseases spread quickly, and pilgrims should take basic medicines with them and consume adequate liquids and salts. Saudi government regulations set out that ACWY quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine is mandatory for people travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah.
See Avian and Pandemic Flu for more details.
There is screening for H1N1 taking place at all ports of entry to Saudi Arabia. All passengers arriving in Saudi Arabia will be subject to a temperature check. If you have an elevated temperature you may be tested for H1N1. If tested you will have to wait in the airport for the results and may be subject to lengthy delays. Passengers with negative results will be released. Passengers who test positive will be quarantined at a local hospital.
The Saudi authorities have issued specific advice to pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah this year. You should carefully consider the information provided on the website of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London before travelling and check the Pilgramage section above.
General
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
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