Security travel advice for Saudi Arabia

HOW SAFE IS SAUDI ARABIA?

Threat level:Medium

COVID-19 Situation in Saudi Arabia
Due to the coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19), Saudi Arabia had imposed a curfew and a series of restrictions in March. As the infection rate has sharply fallen, Saudi Arabia lifted the curfew on the 21st of June and commercial activities have been allowed to resume.

However, international travellers are banned from entering the country to make pilgrimage to holy sites as a measure to prevent the virus from spreading in the country and flights have been suspended into the country since the 14th of March.

The use of face masks in public places is compulsory and gatherings are limited to no more than 50 people.

See our healthcare section for preventive measures.

SECURITY SITUATION IN SAUDI ARABIA

The current travel advice for Saudi Arabia is to remain extra cautious, as there is a high possibility of a terror attack against Western interests by ISIS/ISIL-related groups. Since 2015, there have been a number of attacks on mosques, for which ISIL has claimed responsibility for.

If you are planning to make Pilgrimage to the Hajj in 2020, please note that Saudi Arabia is not permitting that attendance of pilgrims from overseas, please see our page: Hajj Pilgrimage Travel Advice for specific security, health information and updates.

Intelligent Protection International Limited provides private and corporate clients with Security and Bodyguard services in Saudi Arabia and has a decade of experience in the country. If you are interested in these services, please see our web page: Bodyguard services in Saudi Arabia.

ISIS/ISIL have released videos and websites calling for attacks upon westerners at various locations, including expat workers, military, transport and logistic hubs, tourist locations, and schools.

Saudi Arabia is at war with rebels in Yemen since 2015 (Code-named Operation Decisive Storm) and is supporting the Yemani Hadi government, leading an Arab coalition of nine African and Middle Eastern countries; coalition involvement includes deployment of ground forces into Yemen (thought to be mainly Special Forces); naval blockades, air-strikes, intelligence and logistical support.Therefore, it is recommended to avoid travelling near the border with Yemen.

The Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman in November 2017 led a crackdown on corrupt members of the Saudi Royal family and officials. This has not affected foreign nationals in Saudi.

Attacks could be carried out not only by ISIS/Daesh/ISIL but also other extremist groups, such as Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The AQAP have carried out attacks against facilities, such as housing compounds, shopping areas, international schools, hotels, government facilities, food and entertainment locations. Festivals can be a target of attack; a previous plan to attack the Al-Janadriah festival had been prevented in early 2016.

On the 11th of November 2020, a bomb attack occurred in Jeddah at a non-Muslim cemetery during an Armistice Day ceremony attended by several consulates, during which several people were injured.

On the 29th of October 2020, a guard was stabbed at the French Consulate in Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia amid Islamic outcry over Prophet Mohammed cartoons.

On the 14th of September 2019, there has been a large drone attack on oil installations in Buqyaq and the Khurais oil fields. The Buqyaq facility is owned by Saudi Aramco and is one of the largest in the world. Houthi fighters from Yemen are said to have launched ten drones to commit this attack, but, there is a strong suggestion that the attack came from Iran and this is now being investigated.

On the 2nd of July 2019, an attack targeting Abha International Airport occurred, resulting in the injury of 9 casualties.

Two separate drone attacks targeting Abha International Airport occurred on the 14th and 23rd of June 2019, resulting in one death and 21 casualties.

On the 12th of June 2019, 26 persons were injured in a missile attack carried out by Yemen's rebel Houthi movement that targeted the Abha International Airport.

On the 8th of July 2018, a shooting on security forces at a check-point in Qassim killed two persons, one security officer and a foreign national.

On the 19th of April 2018, a shooting in the Asir region killed 4 members of Saudi Security Forces and injured 4 others. 2 gunmen were arrested and one killed.

In October 2017, a gunman drove up to the gate of the King Palace in Jeddah and killed two security guards before being shot dead.

Between May and August 2017, a number of attacks targeting Saudi security forces occured in Qatif, involving shooting and the use of explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades. Both Saudi security officers and Saudi citizens were killed in these attacks.

In June 2017, a terror plot on Grand Mosque in Mecca targeting worshipers was foiled by Saudi security forces, in which 11 people were injured.

In January 2017, two suicide bombers were killed by a police officer before they were able to detonate an explosive device in the Riyadh district. It is thought that Islamic State were behind this failed attack.

In July 2016, four Saudi security forces were killed by suicide bombers outside one of the holiest sites in Islam, the Prophet Mosque in Medina. Despite the lack of ownership of the attack, similarities with other attacks makes it likely to be ISIS-related.

Although the crime rate in Saudi Arabia is low, please note that there have been previous incidents of kidnapping of Western nationals, and as such the overall travel advice for Saudi Arabia is that adequate personal security precautions should be taken at all times.

Demonstrations are illegal so unlikely to occur, however there have been violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators when these have happened. Please avoid demonstrations and take appropriate measures to ensure your safety. Popular destinations of demonstration breakouts occur within the Shia communities in the Qatif area of Eastern Province and Al Hasa.

There is great concern that the situation on the border of Saudi Arabia-Yemen may get worse and deteriorate. The situation across the border in Yemen involving the Houthis, a rebel group part of a branch of Shia Islam known as Zaidism, is getting worse. And in March 2015, the Saudi military launched air strikes against them, in an action to halt their aggression in the region. The conflict is still ongoing. Please do not travel within 50km of the Yemen border.

Scud missiles have been known to cross the border into Saudi Arabia, mainly the south-west province. The Saudi government have announced an ‘out of bounds’ zone of 20km from the entire northern border of the country, and from the border in the Hafr Al-Batin and Khafji areas in the Eastern Province. If you fail to adhere to these restrictions, you can face a fine penalty or a lengthy prison term. Signs have been placed in locations where it is safe to cross.

Attacks targeting critical national infrasctructure are very likely.

SAUDI ARABIA'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The international relations of Saudi Arabia have sometimes been strained with its bordering countries, there is an ongoing civil war in Yemen, and Saudi Arabia has been carrying out airstrikes there. Being one of the largest oil producers in the world, it has many global corporate and diplomatic ties, however there are concerns with regards to its relations with the US, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Iraq, and the perceived threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran; although these are thought to be improving with the western authorities with diplomatic talks ongoing.

TRAVELLING AROUND SAUDI ARABIA

If you are planning to travel for any distance outside of large towns and cities, it is advised that you ensure that you are carrying spare fuel, food and water, and that you have good, working satellite communications and navigational aids.

It is advised you do not travel near to the Saudi-Iraq border, due to a higher risk of incident.

Standards of driving can be questionable, especially away from many city locations. Please take normal safety precautions when driving, and always wear a seat belt. Road travel in Saudi Arabia is dangerous and road conditions in rural areas are very poor as can be expected. Saudi Arabia has one of the worst records for deaths on the road. In 2010, 6800 deaths were recorded.

Saudi Arabia is a typically dry country, however some flooding occur when there are heavy rains in the period between November and February.

COMMERCIAL TRAVEL RISK SERVICES

EMERGENCY SERVICE IN RUSSIA

Police emergency:999
Traffic Police (Al Maroor):993
Fire emergency:998
Medical emergency:997

SAUDI ARABIA OVERVIEW

Capital: Riyadh
Official languages: Arabic
Religion:Islam
Currency: Saudi Riyal

CONSULAR INFORMATION FOR SAUDI ARABIA

U.S. Embassy Riyadh
P.O. Box 94309,
Riyadh,
11693,
Saudi Arabia,
Telephone:+966 114 883800
Telephone:+966 126 670080 (Jeddah)
Email: JeddahACS@state.gov

British Embassy Riyadh
Ibn Uday,
As Safarat,
Riyadh,
11693
Saudi Arabia
Telephone: +966 0114 819100
Email: Consular.Riyadh@fco.gov.uk

VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR SAUDI ARABIA

All visitors to Saudi Arabia require a visa, and this can be difficult to obtain in the run up to or during the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Hajj. All Muslim visitors during Hajj will require a valid Hajj visa and all non-Muslim travellers will need to show evidence of reasons for their stay. This is particularly important for any travels to Jeddah, and you should allow plenty of time for your visa to be processed and accepted. Females travelling alone will require a sponsor to meet them at the airport or they will not be permitted to enter the country. Visitors from all other countries should check with their Embassy or Consulate. An application for a tourist visa can be made online on the E-visa portal or on arrival at any Saudi Arabia's international airports.

All Hajj and Umrah pilgrims are required to present a certificate of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis infection ACWY. This is a necessary condition for visas to be granted.

HEALTHCARE AND IMMUNISATIONS

Cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Saudi Arabia. To avoid contracting the disease, apply good hygiene practices, wear a facemask, maintain social distancing and avoid unnecessary travel and gatherings.

It is advised that visitors to Saudi Arabia are up-to-date with primary boosters, such as MMR. You should ensure that you have been further vaccinated against diseases such as Tetanus, which is usually administered when you are a young baby. You may also want to consider a Hepatitis A vaccination.

Travellers arriving from the following countries will be required to show evidence that they have received a polio vaccine at least 4 weeks prior to departure to Saudi Arabia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Somalia, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine (the West Bank and Gaza), Syrian Arab Republic, Madagascar, South Sudan and Yemen. You will also be administered a dose or oral polio vaccine upon arrival to the country. Your doctor should be able to give you more information.

Although there is no direct risk of Yellow Fever in Saudi Arabia, if you are coming from a country where there is a risk of the disease or transiting for longer than 12 hours in an at risk country, you will be required to provide a vaccination certificate. Check with your local health professional prior to travel if you are unsure.

Medical care varies greatly out of the main cities and large towns and can prove costly. Within the larger cities, the standard of treatment is excellent and efficient. Ensure that you have adequate health and travel insurance to cover the cost of any necessary medical care.

Personal hygiene must be paramount and as with many Middle Eastern countries, it is advised to drink bottled water and keep hydrated.

Be aware that during Hajj and Ramadan, diseases and illnesses can spread quickly through the vast number of people visiting the country and gathering together in areas. You should bring sufficient supplies of basic medication to last the entirety of your trip and ensure that your personal hygiene is paramount.