Your family will be able to shop in air-conditioned comfort. There are numerous shopping malls in every town and city. Some of the recreational facilities to be found in any community are swimming pools, lighted tennis and squash courts. Cuisine from any country in the world can be found in the numerous restaurants.

CURRENCY

The Kingdom's monetary unit is called the Saudi Arabian Riyal. Each Riyal is divided into one hundred "hallalas'.

The currency denominations are 1, 5, 10, 100, 500 paper notes and the coins are 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 hallalas.

The exchange rate between the Riyal and the US Dollar is more or less fixed and the rate is US$1.00 equals SR3.75. The exchange rate between the Riyal and other major currencies vary from day to day.

There are no exchange control regulations and the Riyals can be converted to any other currency. It is advisable to open a bank account.

Credit and charge cards like VISA, American Express, Diners etc. are accepted by business here. ATM (Automated Teller Machine) facilities are available. Banks in Saudi Arabia have formed consortiums and have issued ATM Cards to its account holders. The account holder can withdraw money from an ATM maintained by any of the banks in the consortium.

COMMUNICATIONS

There is no mail delivery to individual residences. Contents of parcels and packages are thoroughly checked by the customs authorities.

There is an excellent automatic telephone service in the Kingdom. Direct dialling is possible to every country in the world. Public telephones for national and international calls are fitted in every street.

At least three newspapers are published in English in the Kingdom. Major foreign newspapers and publications are available as well. However these are subject to strict censorship against anti-Arab articles.

Advertisements for alcohol, nude pictures etc. nor pornographic magazines are not allowed into the Kingdom.

TRANSPORTATION

Private cars, taxis, limousines and public bus are the main forms of transportation in the Kingdom. Women are not permitted to drive.

One can find every make of automobile being sold in Saudi Arabia at government approved prices.

Premium gasoline (leaded) approximately costs 60 hallalas per liter.

One drives on the right hand side of the road. International Driver Licenses are not valid in Saudi Arabia. One has to have a valid home driving license as well as a Saudi residence permit in order to obtain a Saudi driver license and to purchase a car. Saudi driver licenses are valid for 5 years and cost approximately SR 75.00.

Saudi Arabia has a good network of public buses within cities as well as interstate. Recently the Kingdom has introduced several international routes as well. The long distance buses are fully air-conditioned and have many amenities.

"Saudia" (Saudi Arabian Airlines) the national flag carrier, has a good network of national as well as international destinations. Almost all international airlines fly to the Kingdom.

The Kingdom also has a railway line which connects the capital (Riyadh) with Dammam, Al-Kharj, Hofuf, Abqaiq and Dhahran.

All expatriates should carry a travel letter issued by the employer in addition to the residence permit for any travel within the Kingdom.

All foreigners are required to register with their embassy. Loss of passport should be immediately reported to the embassy and published in the local newspaper.

EMPLOYMENT

An employee is prohibited from taking up employment other than with his sponsor. Violation of this rule lead to fines/punishments and deportation.

DRIVERS

Since women are not permitted to drive, part-time or full time drivers are available.

DOMESTIC HELP

Part-time or full time domestic help is available.

DRESS

Saudi customs require conservative dress for men and women in public places specially while shopping and dining in restaurants. For women, it is the custom that head, arms and legs be covered.

Short skirts are not permitted. Loose fitting clothes for women which are generally concealing rather than revealing are recommended.

For men, full pants are recommended.

There is a ban on men wearing neck jewelry while in public places.

SHOPPING

A wide variety of different shops and markets filled with products from all over the world makes Saudi Arabia a shopper's paradise. Products from USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia can be found in almost all the supermarkets and stores. Some of the supermarkets are open 24 hours a day.

HOUSING

In every city, there are numerous housing options depending on your choice and budget.

ELECTRICITY

Both 110 volts and 220 volts, 60 cycles electrical current are used in Saudi Arabia.

SCHOOLING

Saudi Arabia provides free education to all Saudi Muslim children. By law they are required to attend Muslim schools.

There are many private schools that cater to the needs of foreign Muslim and non-Muslim children in addition to the schools run by various embassies. Some of the private schools are : Riyadh International Community School, The British School, The French School, The German School, Continental School to name a few.

All the private schools have classes from the kindergarten to the 9th grade. Children above 9th grade will have to attend schools outside the Kingdom. All the schools maintain a good standard of education.

RECREATION

Public entertainments like cinemas, theatres etc. are not permitted in Saudi Arabia. In the privacy of one's compound, dinner parties, barbecue parties, birthday parties etc. can be arranged.

There are many video libraries and you are sure to find movies and other entertainments of your choice.

Other forms of entertainment one can indulge in are desert expedition and overnight camping in the desert. Sailing and scuba diving are possible if you are in Jeddah or Al-khobar.

MEDICAL

A large number of privately run hospitals are available. They offer specialist services in all fields of medicine. Round the clock-emergency medical care is available in all the private hospitals.

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