Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES:  While in Saudi Arabia, you are subject to its laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.  Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.  To visit incarcerated individuals, the Saudi Government requires diplomatic missions to request visits -- including to police stations -- via formal diplomatic channels, which often causes delays.

Persons violating Saudi Arabian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, imprisoned, subject to physical punishments, or even executed. Suspects may be detained without charges or legal counsel, and with limited access to a consular officer, for months during the investigative stage of criminal cases. Penalties for the import, manufacture, possession, and consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs in Saudi Arabia are severe.  Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences, heavy fines, public floggings, and/or deportation.  The penalty for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia is death, and Saudi officials make no exceptions for U.S. citizens or other foreigners.  Customs inspections at ports of entry are thorough.  The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General have no standing in Saudi courts to obtain leniency for a U.S. citizen convicted of alcohol, drug, or other offenses.  Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

Saudi authorities do not permit criticism of Islam, religious figures, or the royal family.  The government prohibits the public practice of religions other than Islam.  Non-Muslims suspected of violating these restrictions have been jailed.  Even church services in private homes have been raided, and participants have been jailed.  Muslims who do not adhere to the strict interpretations of Islam prevalent in much of Saudi Arabia frequently encounter societal discrimination and constraints on worship.

It is common practice for sponsors to demand that residents working in Saudi Arabia surrender their passports while in the Kingdom.  Although this practice is technically illegal, sponsors are rarely, if ever, punished by the Saudi authorities for doing so.  Sponsors have wide latitude and responsibilities for employees and family members under their sponsorship, including obtaining residence permits for the employee and for any family members.  All residents should be issued a Saudi residence permit (Iqama) for identification and are recommended to carry it at all times.  The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in Saudi Arabia cannot sponsor private U.S. citizens for Saudi visas.

A married woman should be aware that she must have her husband's permission for her and their children to depart Saudi Arabia. This is true even if the woman and/or her children are U.S. citizens and even if her husband does not have Saudi nationality. The U.S. Embassy cannot obtain exit visas for the departure of minor children without their father's permission (See Entry/Exit Requirements section above).

The Saudi government does not permit photography of governmental facilities such as military bases and government buildings. It is also sensitive to photography that may be perceived as portraying the country in an unfavorable light.  This policy can be broadly interpreted to include photos of mosques, impoverished areas, the local population, and traditional souks (markets). You should not take anyone’s picture without clear consent, and never take a picture of a woman or a place where women congregate.  Be aware of local sensitivities whenever you are taking pictures in public.

Saudi customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the importation of such banned items as alcohol, weapons, and any item that is held to be contrary to the tenets of Islam, such as pork, anything considered pornographic under strict Islamic principles, or religious materials.  Imported and domestic audiovisual media and reading matter are censored.

Saudi customs and postal officials broadly define what is contrary to Islam and therefore prohibited.  Christmas decorations, fashion magazines, and "suggestive" videos may be confiscated and the owner subject to penalties and fines.  Electronic devices may be subject to inspection upon entry or exit.  Please see our Customs Information.

Dual Nationality: The Saudi government does not recognize dual nationality.  Saudi authorities have confiscated the U.S. passports of U.S. citizens and U.S.-Saudi dual nationals when they have applied for Saudi citizenship or Saudi passports.  This does not constitute loss of U.S. citizenship, but should be reported to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulates General in Jeddah or Dhahran.  In the case of dual nationals, the Saudi Government may recognize only the nationality of the document used to enter the Kingdom.  For additional information, please refer to the Bureau of Consular Affairs dual nationality webpage.

Importing Animals: The Saudi Ministry of Agriculture must approve all pets imported into Saudi Arabia.  Cats and dogs entering Saudi Arabia require a Veterinary Health Certificate and a dated letter from the veterinary private practitioner addressed to the Director of Customs, Saudi Arabia.  Both documents must be authenticated by the Department of Agriculture Veterinary Service Office and the State Department's Authentications Office and attested by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.  The certificate must indicate that the animal was examined and is free from disease, and confirm that rabies and other vaccines are current.  Information on the name, breed, sex, color, and age of the animal must also be stated.

Birds:The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressly forbids the import of any avian species.  Do not attempt to bring a bird with you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dogs: Any dog that enters Saudi Arabia must be classified as either a “guard dog” or “guide dog.”  However, certain breeds are NOT/NOT permitted in Saudi Arabia.  Saudi authorities can and have refused to admit animals, and have required them to be immediately shipped back to their point of origin.  Given the extreme climate conditions in the Kingdom and limited staffing and facilities at Saudi airports that process the importation of pets, this can be injurious or fatal to the animals.  

The Saudi government is known to have forbidden the following dog breeds from entering the Kingdom:  Spitz; Akita/Akita Imu; Affenpinscher; Griffon Bruxellois/Brussels Griffon/Brabancon/Belgian Griffon/Hovawart; Boxer; Bulldog (any type); Rottweiler; ALL terriers, including but not limited to Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier; Lancashire Heeler; Swedish Vallhund/Swedish Cattle Dog/Vasgotspets; Newfoundland; Pit Bull; Great Dane/Deutscher Dogge; ALL mastiff breeds, including but not limited to Bull Mastiff, Old English Mastiff, Neopolitan Mastiff; Leonberger; and Doberman.

Employment and Business Contracts: The Arabic text of a contract governs employment and business arrangements under Saudi law.  Before signing a contract, U.S. companies should obtain an independent translation to ensure a full understanding of the contract's terms, limits, and agreements.  No U.S. citizen should come to work in Saudi Arabia or make a business arrangement without having read and understood the full written contract.  Verbal assurances or side letters are not binding under Saudi law.  In the event of any contract dispute, Saudi authorities refer to the written contract.

Since the Saudi sponsor generally holds the employee's passport and controls the issuance of exit permits, U.S. citizens cannot leave Saudi Arabia in the event of a labor or business dispute. This is true even in the case of disputes over items clearly stated in the contract.   A U.S. citizen who breaks an employment or business contract may have to pay substantial penalties before being allowed to leave.  To change employers within the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia requires the written permission of the original sponsoring employer, which is discretionary and can be used to prevent former employees from working at all.  Saudi courts take seriously their responsibility to adjudicate disputes.  This process, which is performed in accordance with Saudi law and customs, should not be entered into without an Arabic interpreter, generally takes months or years, and may require hiring legal counsel.

Persons involved in legal cases are not permitted to leave the Kingdom until the case has been resolved or abandoned.  The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General cannot adjudicate labor or business disputes or provide translation or legal services.  U.S. consular officers can provide lists of local attorneys to help U.S. citizens settle business disputes, but ultimate responsibility for the resolution of disputes through the Saudi legal system, and payment for those services, lies with the parties involved.  For additional information on Saudi labor law, please refer to the Ministry of Labor’s information on related regulations.

Teaching English in Saudi Arabia:  English teachers comprise a large and growing segment of the U.S. expatriate population in Saudi Arabia.  In the past few years, several teachers have complained about rapid dismissals and restrictions on their movement.  Teachers should make sure they obtain the appropriate work visa prior to coming to Saudi Arabia.  Business visas do not grant the applicant the right to work or to reside in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Employers of English teachers frequently issue short-term, single-entry work visas that coincide with a 90-day “probation” window, during which time the employee or employer can freely end the working relationship.  Many teachers facing dismissal have claimed they were unaware of a 90-day probationary period and felt that their contracts were not honored.  Because foreign employees reside in Saudi Arabia under the sponsorship of their employer, they must leave the country soon after dismissal or face deportation proceedings.  For this reason, and because individuals on a visit visa lack the same rights as a permanent resident in Saudi Arabia, dismissed employees have little, if any, recourse or grounds for appeal.  It is important for prospective teachers to consider these factors prior to relocating to Saudi Arabia and to be aware of the type of visa they were issued.  Further information can be found in our Guide to Teaching English in Saudi Arabia.

Standards of Conduct and Religious Police: Islam is the official religion of the country and pervades all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia.  Public display of non-Islamic religious articles, such as crosses and Bibles, is not permitted.  Non-Muslims are forbidden to travel to Makkah (Mecca) and Medina, the cities where two of Islam’s holiest mosques are located. Norms for public behavior in Saudi Arabia are extremely conservative, and the religious police, formally known as the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV), and referred to colloquially as the Mutawwa or Al-Hay’a, are charged with enforcing these standards. Mutawwa are required to carry special identification and usually are accompanied by uniformed police; however, in some cases they have detained persons without an accompanying police officer.  The CPVPV has accosted or arrested foreigners, including U.S. citizens, for improper dress or other alleged infractions, such as consumption of alcohol or association by a female with a male to whom she is not related.  Mutawwa who are accompanied by a uniformed police officer have the power to take individuals to a police station or Mutawwa office.  If a uniformed police officer is present with the Mutawwa, an individual must, if requested, hand over his or her residence permit (Iqama) or other identification to the police officer.  While most incidents have resulted only in inconvenience or embarrassment, the potential exists for an individual to be arrested, physically harmed, or deported.  U.S. citizens who are involved in an incident with the Mutawwa should report the incident to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the U.S. Consulates General in Jeddah or Dhahran.

In most areas of Saudi Arabia, and particularly in Riyadh and the central part of the Kingdom, women wear a full-length black covering known as an abaya, and cover their heads.  Women who choose not to conform to this dress code face a risk of confrontation by Mutawwa and possible detention/arrest.  Men should also dress conservatively, and not wear shorts in public or go without a shirt.

Many areas of life in Saudi Arabia are segregated by sex to ensure that unrelated men and women have no possibility of mingling (a punishable crime). Some Mutawwa try to enforce this by asking for proof that a couple is married or related. Women who are arrested for socializing with a man who is not a relative may be charged with prostitution.  Some restaurants, particularly fast-food outlets, refuse to serve women who are not accompanied by a close male relative.  In addition, some restaurants or cafes do not have a "family section" in which women are permitted to eat.  Men not accompanied by a close female family member must stay out of family sections, and may not use services (such as registers at supermarkets) designated as “family”.  These restrictions are not always posted.  This is more common in Riyadh and the more conservative central Nejd region.

Dancing, playing music, and showing movies in public are forbidden.

International Schools:  The U.S. citizen community and third-country national populations from Western countries continue to grow. This growth has put a severe strain on “international” schools that cater to Westerners.  Travelers with school-aged children are strongly advised to contact international schools well in advance of their arrival to Saudi Arabia.  The Embassy and Consulates General are not able to assist with school placement.

The Hajj and Umrah: Please review the Department of State’s Hajj Fact Sheet for useful information on traveling to perform the Hajj or Umrah.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION:  If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: Same-sex sexual relations, even when they are consensual, are criminalized in Saudi Arabia.  Violations of Saudi laws governing perceived expressions of, or support for, homosexuality, including on social media, may be subject to severe punishment.  Potential penalties include fines, jail time, or death.  For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013.  For further information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our Information for LGBT Travelers page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Saudi Arabia, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what is generally found in the United States.

The Basic Law does not prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities and there is no legislation mandating public accessibility.  Newer commercial and government buildings, however, often include such access.  The Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.

According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, there are numerous government-sponsored centers for people with disabilities, such as the Noor Institute for the Blind, the Amal Institute for the Deaf, and social rehabilitation and welfare centers for the elderly.  Note that Saudi Arabia has extremely limited infrastructure to care for those with mental disabilities.  Royal decrees in the past have encouraged institutions and individuals to contribute to charitable activities to assist persons with disabilities.