GoSaudi Arabia Visa Requirements

Entry and Residence

1、 Visa

Saudi Arabia implements a strict visa system, and some visa approvals require a longer time. Saudi Arabia currently has its Embassy in China, Consulate General in Guangzhou, and Consulate General in Hong Kong. Consular agencies accept visa applications within their jurisdiction.

Saudi visas mainly include six types: pilgrimage visas, visit visas, work visas, residence visas, transit visas, and tourist visas. The commonly issued visas are pilgrimage visas, visit visas, work visas, and tourist visas. Saudi Arabia requires passports to be valid for no less than six months; I must sign the application form, and all documents must be authenticated by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The family visit visa, residence visa, and work visa must be pre approved by the relevant departments in Saudi Arabia, with two clear white background photos. The specific processing requirements are as follows (for reference only, subject to the specific requirements of the Saudi Embassy in China):

（1） Pilgrimage Visa: From the end of Eid al Fitr in each Islamic calendar year until November 25th, pilgrimage visas are processed for Chinese citizens. Pilgrimage visas are processed collectively through the Chinese Islamic Association.

（2） Visit visa: There are two types of visit visas: family visit visa and government visit visa (including business visit visa), both of which require the original or photocopy of the approval letter with the visit visa number and date approved by relevant departments in Saudi Arabia. Family visit visas require original and photocopy of personal ID card, household registration, marriage certificate, and child birth certificate. The proof of kinship documents must be notarized and authenticated by our official institution, and authenticated by the Consular Department of the Saudi Embassy in China. Business visit visa refers to a visit visa issued to foreign entrepreneurs and investors. Applicants are required to provide their personal ID card, occupation certificate, educational certificate, and their copies; Invitation letter for certification from the relevant trade union in Saudi Arabia; The official letter issued by our unit to the Saudi diplomatic representative office shall specify the applicant's business level, purpose and duration of the visit, and the name of the visited Saudi company.

（3） Work visa: Work applications must be approved by the Saudi Ministry of Labour and Social Development; The applicant must present an approval document with the work visa number and date; The occupation indicated on my passport must match the occupation indicated on my work visa; Professional and technical personnel are required to provide copies of their academic certificates certified by relevant official institutions in their home country and the Consular Department of the Saudi Embassy; A medical examination report issued by a hospital or health institution and certified by relevant units (Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs) must be provided (made according to the sample specified by the Saudi diplomatic representative institution). The required documents for a work visa include a letter of authorization issued by the owner, a written letter of consent from the female labor guardian to travel and work, a professional qualification certificate for the applied occupation, a medical examination report, and copies of the above documents. For details, please consult the Saudi Embassy in China.

（4） Tourist Visa: Saudi Arabia has been opening electronic tourist visas since September 28, 2019, and currently it is open to 63 countries including China. Chinese citizens can apply for an electronic visa online or apply for a visa on arrival upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. For more details, please visit https://visa.visitsaudi.com/ Understood.

2、 Entry and exit

（1） To enter Saudi Arabia, one must hold a valid visa or residence permit for Saudi Arabia, otherwise they will be deported by the original plane. Women entering Saudi Arabia are not required to wear long robes (ABAYA), but must dress appropriately (covering shoulders and knees, preferably wearing long sleeved clothes). Non halal foods such as pork and alcohol are not allowed to be brought into the country.

（2） Applicants holding long-term residence visas such as work visas entering Saudi Arabia must have their employer or Saudi employer as a guarantor to apply for an IQAMA residence permit in Saudi Arabia. Employers or Saudi employers should be reminded to promptly apply for a residence permit extension with the Saudi Ministry of Interior. Before leaving the country, it is usually necessary for the employer or Saudi employer to issue a letter and apply for an exit re-entry visa with the Saudi Ministry of Interior. Otherwise, the Saudi border inspection agency may not release or be required to pay corresponding fines.

（3） During the annual Islamic pilgrimage, foreign tourists holding non pilgrimage visas to Saudi Arabia are generally not allowed to enter Saudi Arabia from Jeddah, Medina, and Taif, but can enter from Riyadh and Dammam. In recent years, relevant departments in Saudi Arabia have further strengthened restrictions and scrutiny on foreign citizens entering Saudi Arabia and cities such as Mecca during the pilgrimage period. There have been multiple incidents of Chinese citizens holding non pilgrimage visas being denied boarding flights to Jeddah and other places during this period. It is recommended that Chinese citizens inquire about the details of entry arrangements with airlines before planning to visit Saudi Arabia.

（4） Obstruction of exit: Saudi Arabia has long implemented the system of guarantor. If foreigners who come to Saudi Arabia for work, investment, study and other long-term residence have disputes with the guarantor, the guarantor mostly restricts the departure of the parties by not issuing a letter of consent for handling exit visas, resulting in the obstruction of the parties' exit. In order to improve the labor market, Saudi Arabia reformed its labor policy on March 14, 2021. Foreign workers can leave the country after their employment contract is terminated or after submitting an application, by completing the application and notifying their employer through the mobile applications Absher or Qiwa. Except for private drivers, domestic workers, and agricultural and animal husbandry workers.

3、 Special Reminder

（1） In Saudi Arabia, drug smuggling is punishable by death. If you need to bring traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations or large dose of personal medication into the country, it is recommended to provide a doctor's prescription.

（2） It is strictly prohibited to bring alcoholic beverages or pork into the country. Once the goods are confiscated and destroyed, the carrier will be arrested and fined heavily.

（3） It is strictly prohibited to bring audio, video, and printed materials with exposed and obscene content into the country. Carriers will be arrested by customs.

（4） Individuals with Israeli visas affixed to their passports must renew their passports, otherwise they will be prohibited from entering the country.

（5） Prohibited items such as remote-controlled drones and related parts are not allowed to enter the country, and carriers will be fined.

（6） Please familiarize yourself with the regulations on prohibited items before visiting Saudi Arabia. For more information, please visit the Saudi Customs website: https://www.customs.gov.sa/ar/general/Prohibited-goods

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1、 Customs

（1） Tariffs: Saudi Arabia uses the commodity name and customs code system for tariff classification, imposing a 5% common external tariff on most goods imported from countries outside the Gulf Cooperation Council. If there is a competitive relationship between imported goods and domestically produced goods, the tax rate will be increased to over 12%. The tax rate for cigarettes and other tobacco products is 100%. To cope with the impact of the epidemic and the continued weakness of oil prices on its finances and economy, Saudi Arabia announced an increase in import tariffs on some products starting from June 20, 2020. These products include home appliances, automotive industry and other electromechanical products, as well as steel, with an adjustment range of 0.5% -15%. In addition to tariffs, Saudi Arabia has imposed value-added tax (VAT) on the vast majority of goods and services since January 1, 2018, at a rate of 5%, and raised the VAT rate to 15% on July 1, 2020.

（2） Tax exemption: Saudi Customs implements a tax exemption policy for goods related to people's livelihoods, such as grain and meat.

（3） Sha Customs prohibits the import or carrying of non halal foods such as pork and alcohol into the country; It is prohibited to import and carry drugs, firearms and ammunition, fireworks, remote-controlled drones and their components, products bearing the Israeli flag and emblem into the country.

2、 Financial regulation

Passengers entering Saudi Arabia who carry personal items or gifts worth over 3000 riyals (approximately 800 US dollars) are required to pay customs duties and taxes; If passengers entering or leaving Saudi Arabia carry valuable items such as 60000 riyals (approximately 16000 US dollars) or more in equivalent currency, jewelry, etc., they must declare to the Saudi customs department. The relevant procedures can be accessed through the official website of the Saudi Arabian Taxation and Customs Administration https://www.customs.gov.sa/en/edeclaration Completed.

3、 Inspection and Quarantine

Saudi Arabia has extremely strict requirements for inspection and quarantine. Those who carry animals, plants, and their products with them must obtain the consent of relevant departments such as the Saudi National Animal Protection Agency in advance.

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Nationality

According to the 2022 census data from the Saudi General Statistics Office, the population of Saudi Arabia is approximately 36.33 million, with males accounting for about 58%, approximately 20.94 million, and females accounting for 42%, approximately 15.39 million. Saudi Arabia implements strict naturalization policies, making it very difficult for foreign nationals to obtain citizenship in Saudi Arabia.

2、 Residence

Saudi residency can be classified by nature into work residency, study residency, family residency, etc. The Saudi Ministry of Interior is the sole authority responsible for reviewing and issuing residence permits. Foreigners who work and reside in Saudi Arabia for a long time usually need a Saudi guarantor to handle their residence permit. In May 2019, Saudi Arabia opened up "special residence permit" applications for foreign investors and senior management and technical talents. The permit is divided into two types: one-year and permanent residency, with fees of 100000 riyals and 800000 riyals respectively. Applicants also need to meet other conditions such as being over 21 years old, having solvency, having no criminal record, and having a health certificate.

There is currently one yellow (medium risk) area in Saudi Arabia, while all other areas are blue (low-risk). Specifically, as follows:

1、 Yellow region: border area between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds personnel in the above-mentioned areas of Saudi Arabia to strengthen prevention and pay attention to safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.

2、 Blue region: Other regions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

1、 War risk

At present, the war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi armed forces in Yemen is still ongoing, with the latter repeatedly using ballistic missiles and drones to launch attacks on the Saudi capital Riyadh, the western coastal cities of Jeddah and Yanbu, and cities such as Gizan and Najran located on the Saudi Arabian border, resulting in casualties and property damage.

2、 Social security

The security situation in Saudi Arabia is relatively good. Due to the simple and prosperous folk customs, as well as the strict punishment of civil and criminal crimes by religious laws, there are generally fewer criminal cases in Sha. However, in recent years, due to changes in Saudi Arabia's tax and employment policies, the living costs of some domestic and foreign workers have increased, and the crime rate of theft and robbery has risen. We should remain vigilant, pay attention to personal and property safety, and it is recommended not to carry large amounts of cash with us.

If you need to carry a large amount of cash and valuable items out, take good care of your personal belongings when taking a taxi and do not ride with strangers. Be cautious when visiting sparsely populated scenic spots and deserts. In case of passport or property theft, please report to the Saudi police as soon as possible and contact the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia or Consulate General in Jeddah in a timely manner. The staff will do their best to provide assistance.

natural disaster

Saudi Arabia has a tropical desert climate, characterized by dryness, low rainfall, strong sunshine, hot summers, and cool winters. When visiting, to prevent dehydration, one should drink plenty of water and pay attention to heatstroke prevention and sun protection. Due to severe desertification, sandstorms and sandstorms persist every spring and early summer. In addition, due to the weak drainage system, floods and mudslides may occur in some cities in western mountainous areas during the rainy season from March to April each year.

FDA

1、 Saudi Arabia has very strict food import standards, which are managed by the Saudi Food and Drug Administration. Anyone who does not meet the standards will not be allowed to enter the country. All suspicious products will be removed from the shelves.

2、 Saudi Arabia's tap water system uses desalinated seawater and is not recommended for direct consumption. It is best to purchase bottled or barreled drinking water.

3、 The overall hygiene situation in Saudi Arabia is good, but since 2016, there has been a significant increase in cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV) infection within Saudi Arabia. Research shows that the main source of human infection for this case is the dromedary camel in the Middle East, and there is currently no effective way to eliminate the virus. Remind Chinese citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia to take the following protective measures:

（1） Try not to come into contact with camels and avoid consuming camel meat and dairy products; Try to avoid direct contact with animals and their secretions and excreta.

（2） Try to avoid close contact (maintain a distance of at least 2 meters) with patients who have flu like symptoms (fever, cough, and sneezing); During the high incidence season of respiratory diseases, it is advisable to avoid crowded places and reduce the duration of stay; General medical masks should be worn for protection in crowded places.

（3） Avoid seeking medical attention in hospitals with a high number of MERS CoV cases; If you come into contact with a potentially infected case, it is best to wear a professional mask for protection and use the correct method to wear the mask (ensuring that the mask completely covers the mouth and nose, is tightly attached to the face, and has no gaps). Avoid repeated use of disposable masks; Abandoned masks should be thrown into the trash can and not discarded casually.

（4） Pay attention to personal hygiene and maintain hand hygiene. Regularly use soap (or soap) and running water to wash hands (alcoholic hand sanitizer can also be used), especially thoroughly after coughing or sneezing, and wash hands for 15 to 20 seconds; Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.

（5） The room should be regularly ventilated to maintain good air circulation.

（6） If you experience suspected symptoms such as fever (above 38 degrees Celsius), cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing, please seek medical attention promptly.

Urgent Help

Alarm: 999

Traffic accident: 993

Ambulance: 997

Fire alarm: 998

Please provide emergency contact information for consular protection at the embassy or consulate in the countryclick hereSearch.

Consular protection assistance hotline of the Embassy in Saudi Arabia:+ 966-11-4831590.

Consular protection assistance hotline of the Consulate General in Jeddah:+966-508399809.

air traffic

1、 International flights

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation system is relatively developed, with existing routes covering major countries around the world. At present, Saudi Airlines has opened direct flights between Beijing and Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as between Guangzhou and Riyadh and Jeddah.

2、 Domestic flights

The air transportation between major cities in Saudi Arabia is very convenient, especially the frequent flights between the capital Riyadh and the western tourist city Jeddah. There are direct flights from Riyadh to cities such as Dammam in the east and Medina in the west.

3、 Airlines and major airports

Saudi Arabian Airlines is the national airline and the largest airline in Saudi Arabia, with various aircraft models such as Boeing and Airbus. Its current fleet size is 154 aircraft (as of October 2018) and it is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance. There are also low-cost airlines such as Flynas and Flyadeal. There are 28 civilian airports in Saudi Arabia, among which the airports in cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Yanbu are international airports. The main airports include King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina. In Saudi Arabia, commuting between airports and urban areas mainly relies on taxis or self driving cars.

land transport

1、 Highways and railways

Highway transportation is the main mode of transportation in Saudi Arabia. The total length of roads in Saudi Arabia is 220000 kilometers, including over 5000 kilometers of expressways and over 12000 kilometers of two lane highways. The international road network is connected to countries such as Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. The total length of railways currently in operation in Saudi Arabia is 4130 kilometers, with the main railway lines being the Dammam Riyadh Railway (449 kilometers), the Mecca Medina High Speed Railway (453 kilometers), and the North South Railway (2750 kilometers).

2、 Car rental and self driving

Car rental services in Saudi Arabia are highly developed, with rental companies located at major city airports and city centers. You can also travel by car, but you need to carry your travel documents with you, be familiar with the local situation, and pay attention to traffic safety. The main car rental companies are: www.budget-arabia.com Www.avis.com.sa.

Special reminder: Chinese driver's license cannot be used in Saudi Arabia. It must be notarized by a domestic notary office and an additional certificate must be applied for at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the local driver's license can be replaced in Saudi Arabia. You can use your international driver's license to travel by self driving in Saudi Arabia. Saudi vehicles drive on the left and right.

water communication

The Saudi shipping fleet has a capacity of 8 million tons and 368 Saudi flagged vessels. As of the end of 2019, Saudi Arabia ranked 23rd among the 174 member countries of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Sha currently has 8 major industrial and commercial ports with a total of 184 berths, capable of accommodating the world's largest tonnage ships and providing 24-hour uninterrupted loading and unloading services throughout the year. The largest port is Jeddah Islamic Port, located in the Red Sea, with container throughput accounting for about 60% of the country's total; The second largest port is Dammam Port, located in the Persian Gulf; The third largest port is Jizan Port, located in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia ranks among the top Arab and Gulf countries in terms of the number of ports and modernization of facilities.

Urban transportation

Saudi Arabia is a country on wheels. Due to high national income and relatively low oil prices, almost every household has a private car. Therefore, the construction of Saudi Arabia's public transportation system is relatively lagging behind, with low coverage of urban bus routes, and daily public transportation mainly relies on taxis. The Riyadh Light Rail and MRT projects are currently under construction.

major city

1、 Riyadh

The capital of Saudi Arabia, the largest city, is the political and cultural center of Saudi Arabia and the location of government agencies. Located in central Saudi Arabia, with a population of 8.6 million (as of 2022, approximately 4.44 million are Saudi nationals and 4.15 million are foreign nationals) and an area of 1913 square kilometers. Summer is hot and dry, sometimes with sandstorms, while winter is mild with a small amount of rainfall. Riyadh "Arwen means" a garden with lush flowers and plants ", and due to its abundant groundwater, it has been lush with greenery since ancient times. The city is lined with high-rise buildings and has multiple modern highways and overpasses, making it a major transportation and communication hub in Sha. The main industries include petrochemicals, electricity, cement, and leather processing.

2、 Jeddah

Saudi Arabia's second largest city and financial and trade center, an important port on the Red Sea, is one of the oldest and largest port cities in the Red Sea and even the Middle East, and is known as the "Bride of the Red Sea". Located in the central part of the western coast of Saudi Arabia, under the jurisdiction of the Mecca region, with a population of approximately 3.5 million and an area of 1200 square kilometers. Most of the year, the climate is hot and humid, with a slight decrease in humidity during winter. Due to the fact that the Shah and other major members of the royal family work or take vacations in Jeddah every summer, it is known as the 'Summer Capital'. Government departments have branches here, and some important international conferences are often held here. As of 2019, there are a total of 61 foreign consulates general, 37 honorary consulates, and permanent institutions of some international organizations in Jeddah. The Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) are located in Jeddah. There are attractions such as Jeddah Old Town, Nasif Palace, and Fahd King Fountain in the city center. The fountain on the sea is a major landscape in Jeddah, with a jet of water up to 260 meters high, known as the world's number one. Jeddah is also a land, sea, and air transportation hub for Muslims around the world to enter Mecca and Medina for pilgrimage.

3、 Daman, Hubail, Zahran

It is one of the three major cities in the eastern region and along the west coast of the Persian Gulf, adjacent to each other and forming a triangle. The total area is 718 square kilometers and the total population is about 2 million. The winter climate is mild. Dammam is an important port in the Persian Gulf, the second largest port city in Saudi Arabia, and the capital of the eastern region. It is connected to the capital Riyadh by railway. The import and export goods in the eastern and central regions of Saudi Arabia are mainly transported here. The urban environment is beautiful, the streets are clean, and modern buildings are arranged in rows. The largest park in the city, King Fahd Park, covers an area of 273000 square meters. Hubail is a modern commercial city and the commercial center of the three eastern cities. The Fahd King Bridge is connected to Bahrain. Zahran is located about 10 kilometers west of Khobar, and its rise and prosperity began with the discovery of oil here in the 1930s. It is the headquarters of the world's largest oil company, Saudi Aramco, and is known as the "oil capital". The city is home to the famous King Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral Sciences.

4、 Mecca

Located in western Saudi Arabia, 72 kilometers from Jeddah and about 400 kilometers from Medina, with an area of 1200 square kilometers and a population of approximately 2.04 million. The average temperature in January is 29.5 ° C, and the average temperature in August is 38.5 ° C. Mecca is the birthplace of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the place where he founded Islam, making it the first holy site of Islam and also known as the "Holy City" or "Holy Capital". Non Muslims are prohibited from entering. According to the requirements of the Quran and Hadith, Muslims perform the Hajj in Mecca in December of the Islamic calendar. Over the past two decades, more than 3 million Muslim pilgrims from around the world flock to the city every year during the pilgrimage season. In addition, over 4 million Muslims come here every year to serve as deputy courtiers. Due to this unique background, the real estate industry in Mecca has always been highly developed and commercial activities are active. Especially during the pilgrimage period, the city's commerce enters the golden season and becomes a true commercial city that never sleeps. The headquarters of the Islamic World Alliance is located in Mecca.

5、 Medina

It is the second largest holy site of Islam, located in western Saudi Arabia, surrounded by mountains on all sides, with an altitude of 620 meters, and is a mountainous plateau city. Covering an area of 589 square kilometers, with a population of approximately 1.15 million. The temperature in January ranges from 11.6 ° C to 22.9 ° C, and in August it reaches as high as 28.5 ° C to 42.5 ° C, making the summer extremely hot. Medina is the capital of the Medina region, with Mecca located over 400 kilometers southeast and Jeddah located 424 kilometers due south. Medina was the political and religious center of the early days of Islam, founded by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and also served as his burial place. There is a halal ancient temple built around the tomb of Muhammad, called the "Prophet's Temple" (also known as the "Holy Temple"). The temple is located in the center of Medina and is on par with the "Forbidden Temple" in Mecca. The environment of Medina is elegant, and the buildings in the city are quite large, clean, spacious, and have a modern urban atmosphere. The underground water in the suburbs is abundant, and high-quality dates are abundant. The real estate industry in the city is well-developed, and its commercial activities have strong seasonality. There is an international airport built on the outskirts of the city. The large-scale "Fahd King Quran Printing Institution" is also built in the city. Non Muslims are prohibited from entering the urban area of Medina.

6、 Taif

Located in the western part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it is a mountain city with an elevation of 1682 meters, an area of 321 square kilometers, and a population of approximately 680000. It is 160 kilometers away from Jeddah and is administratively under the jurisdiction of the Mecca region. Taif is a transportation hub connecting the eastern and western regions of Saudi Arabia to the south, serving as a national road transportation hub and a key passage for defending the eastern part of Saudi Arabia since ancient times. It is also a major city for transporting pilgrims and holds significant geographical and strategic importance. Taif has a mild climate with an average summer temperature of 20 ° C-32 ° C and an average winter temperature of 10 ° C-22 ° C. It is a summer resort in Saudi Arabia. The Taif region has historically been a renowned agricultural area in Saudi Arabia and a major center for crop and livestock production. The main crops are barley, wheat, corn, and millet. Taif also produces many types of fruits, including pomelo, apricot, citrus, olive, fig, peach, pomegranate, watermelon, grape, prickly pear, date palm, etc. After the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990, Taif was the seat of the Kuwaiti government in exile. Taif preserves many ancient relics, including castles built during the Ottoman Empire, military fortresses built during the Arabian Peninsula War, iconic buildings of Taif - the Abdullah Al Abbas Mosque, built in the 6th and 7th centuries, and the palace of King Faisal, the Sabra Palace. The Fahd King's Park, built in 1983, and the Radf Natural Park and Zoo, built in recent years, are also famous attractions in Taif. Taif is also one of the three major work centers of the Saudi Arabian government's National Commission for the Conservation and Development of Wild Plants, where endangered Arabian antelopes and bustards have been successfully bred. In order to develop the tourism industry, the expensive and direct sightseeing cable car project to the mountaintop was put into operation in 2002.

Commodity prices

The oil and petrochemical industry is the lifeblood of Saudi Arabia's economy. In 2020, Saudi Arabia's proven crude oil reserves reached 297.6 billion barrels, making it the second largest crude oil reserve country in the world; As of the end of 2020, Saudi Arabia's proven natural gas reserves reached 8.3 trillion cubic meters, accounting for 4.6% of the world's total proven natural gas reserves and ranking sixth in the world. In addition, it also has mineral deposits such as gold, copper, iron, tin, aluminum, zinc, phosphate, etc. The main water resource is groundwater, with a total reserve of 36 trillion cubic meters. Saudi Arabia is the world's largest producer of desalinated seawater, with a daily production of approximately 3 million cubic meters of desalinated water, accounting for about 21% of the global total of desalinated seawater. The Saudi Arabian currency is the Riyal, which implements a monetary policy pegged to the US dollar. The exchange rate between the US dollar and the Riyal is generally stable at around 1: 3.75 (November 2023 data). Most of Saudi Arabia's goods rely on imports, resulting in high prices; There is a wide variety of products and sufficient supply.

Insurance Medical

Saudi Arabia has a well-established basic healthcare system and implements a free healthcare system for its citizens. Foreigners can only seek medical treatment at private hospitals, which are expensive. There are 24-hour pharmacy outlets distributed in large and medium-sized cities in Saudi Arabia, where prescription drugs can be purchased with a medical insurance card and a doctor's prescription, or individuals can purchase over-the-counter drugs at their own expense. Most of the drugs are imported from Europe and America, with high prices. The Saudi government stipulates that companies hiring foreign employees must pay medical insurance for their employees.

Customs taboos

1、 Religion

Saudi Arabia regards Islam as its state religion. The majority of Muslims are Sunni Wahhabis. The number of Shiites is small, mainly living in the eastern region, accounting for about 10% of the national population. In addition, there is the Shafi'i tribe, mainly composed of Bedouin nomadic tribes. Sand prohibits engaging in religious activities other than Islam in public places.

2、 Holidays and festivals

National Day: September 23rd, a one-day national holiday; Eid al Fitr: On the first day of the 10th lunar month, it is the most important holiday in Saudi Arabia, usually with a 10 day holiday. People visit relatives and friends to celebrate and celebrate; Eid al Adha: December 10th in the Gregorian calendar, with a 3-day holiday. Saudi families usually slaughter camels, cows, and sheep to celebrate the festival and distribute them to relatives, friends, and the poor.

3、 Etiquette taboos

Saudi Arabia advocates international etiquette while maintaining the simple hospitality customs of nomadic peoples. I like to entertain guests with coffee and black tea. When drinking coffee, I use a small cup and pour a small amount each time until the guest gently shakes the cup to indicate that they no longer want to drink. Shaking hands or picking up and dropping off items and food must be done with the right hand, and the left hand is considered unclean. Saudis usually shake hands with guests, and veneers and hugs are mainly used between relatives, friends, couples, and old acquaintances.

Saudi Arabia has a strong religious atmosphere, and all goods and behaviors that violate Islamic beliefs and rules are strictly prohibited. Starting from June 24th, 2018, women are allowed to drive their own cars when going out; Women usually wear long robes (ABAYA) when going out, and it is not mandatory to wear headscarves. Men are not allowed to expose their chest and back, and generally are not allowed to enter public places wearing shorts. Do not take photos of women without permission.

During the month of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia (September in the Gregorian calendar), except for patients, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children, eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited from sunrise to sunset. During the daily prayer period, shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, and other consumer venues will be closed.

Communications Power

1、 Power supply

The standard voltage is 110 volts or 220 volts. The power interface is usually a three legged flat shape (British standard) or a two legged circular shape (European standard). It is recommended to bring your own conversion plug and pay attention to the voltage standard when using it.

2、 Phone number

The country code for Saudi Arabia is 00966. The three main telecommunications companies operating in Saudi Arabia are STC MOBILY、ZAIN， The tariff standards vary slightly. The way to make international calls in Sha is: country code+city code+phone number; The way to dial the fixed line telephone in Saudi Arabia is: area code+phone number; The way to call domestic mobile phones in Saudi Arabia is: 0+mobile phone number.

3、 Internet

Saudi Arabia has a high Internet penetration rate. Broadband access services are basically provided in offices and high-end hotel rooms. Mobile Internet services can be used when going out. At present, there are 53 cities in Saudi Arabia covering 5G networks.

contact information