All foreigners require a visit/work visa to enter the Kingdom. Saudi government issues 3 types of visas namely Visit Visa, Work Visa and Exit/Re-Entry Visa.

VISIT VISA

Visit visas are generally granted for business purposes and are valid for a maximum period of 3 months.

WORK VISA

An expatriate requires a work visa (residence permit) to be able to work in Saudi Arabia on a regular basis. This is called "Iqama". An "Iqama" is issued only upon entering the Kingdom on a work visa.

An Iqama is valid for 2 Hijra years and can be renewed at the discretion of the Saudi Government.

The Iqama booklet is to be carried at all the time while the expatriate is in Saudi Arabia.

EXIT & RE-ENTRY VISA

After a foreign worker has obtained the Iqama, an Exit & Re-Entry visa is required each time one leaves the Kingdom.

Exit & Re-Entry visas are required for each of the family members staying in the Kingdom.

Exit & Re-Entry visas, after they are stamped in the passport, are valid for a period of 2 Hijra months within which the journey is to be undertaken failing which a penalty from SR l,000 upto SR 3,000 will be levied by the government. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure that the journey is undertaken or get the visa cancelled within the stipulated period of 2 Hijra months, otherwise the penalty will be paid by the employee.

A minimum of 5 days is needed to obtain Exit & Re-Entry visas.

The expiry dates on all types of visas are to be carefully checked before leaving the Kingdom to avoid problems later.

A visa will not be issued unless the passport is valid for a period of 6 months beyond the period of the visa.

Saudi law stipulates that while in the Kingdom) the passport and the Iqama should not be carried together. The passport should be retained by the employer.

Before undertaking a journey the Iqarna should be deposited with the employer. The Iqama should not be taken out of the Kingdom.

It is recommended to translate any Hijra date to Gregorian and keep it on record.

SHIPMENTS

The Saudi customs authorities will inspect your shipments very thorough upon its arrival in the Kingdom.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

The following items should not be shipped into Saudi Arabia:

1. Alcoholic beverages of any kind, and any products that contain alcohol.
2. Pornographic material of any kind, and in any form (magazines, books or video cassettes).
3. Narcotics or drugs of any kind. If you have prescription drugs, be sure that you can provide evidence to the customs officials that they have been legally prescribed to you by a doctor.
4. Weapons, ammunition, or fireworks of any kind.
5. Any non-Muslim religious items or symbols.
6. Pork products.
7. Books or any other items that relate to Israel or to the Hebrew language.
8. Books or any other items that relate to Communism or Socialism.
9. Pictures (including color photographs in a book about art) that depict nudes.
10. Cordless telephone with long range facility.
11. Radio with Police band or weather band or reduced FM band.