SUMMARY November 9, 2002. Source - British Government Official statement .

The majority of visits to Saudi Arabia are trouble-free. But visitors should be aware that nine bombs have exploded in Saudi Arabia since November 2000. Seven have resulted in the death or injury of British nationals and other expatriates. The most recent bomb on 29 September killed a German national. Following recent developments, including the terrorist bombing of a night club in Bali on 12 October, British nationals worldwide should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets. Given heightened tension in the region and the increased threat from global terrorism, travellers to Saudi Arabia should be particularly vigilant, especially in public places such as hotels and shopping malls. Visitors and residents should follow political developments in the region; and observe the British Embassy's advice on personal and vehicle security. Residents and longer-term visitors should register with the British Embassy in Riyadh, or Consulate-General in Jeddah. Visitors and residents should remember that Islamic law is strictly enforced in Saudi Arabia. The possession of or trade in alcohol is illegal. The punishment for either is imprisonment. The punishment for importing drugs includes the death penalty.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The vast majority of visits to Saudi Arabia are trouble-free. But visitors should be aware that nine bombs have exploded in Riyadh and Al Khobar since November 2000. The most recent bomb in Riyadh on 29 September killed a German national. Four others have been killed, including two British nationals and one American national. The explosions have varied: some were car bombs; one was a parcel bomb; others exploded in shopping areas. Given these events, British residents in Saudi Arabia have been given specific guidance on their personal and vehicle security. Advice is available to visitors from the British Embassy in Riyadh, the British Consulate-General in Jedda and from the Embassy website www.ukm.org.sa

Violence in the Occupied Territories has an effect on the whole region. There is a risk of public disturbance throughout the area, in response to this, or other political events. Travellers need to be aware of this risk, and alert to news reports, which might trigger such disturbances.
All longer-term British visitors are advised to register with the British Embassy in Riyadh, or the British Consulate-General in Jedda. There have been attacks of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around the Red Sea. Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautions.

Pilgrimage
Pilgrims performing Umrah and Hajj can only travel with accredited UK travel agencies, which have signed contracts with Saudi service providers. Pilgrims should confirm the full itinerary before departing from the United Kingdom. British pilgrims, who find themselves in difficulties, or their relatives, should contact the British Consulate-General in Jedda on (tel: +966 1 622 5550/5557/5558).
Pilgrims should be aware that there is an increase in the number of reported cases of pickpocketing and other forms of theft in Mecca, particularly in the region of the Grand Mosque, and in Medina, and should take additional care with travel documents, tickets and other valuables while visiting these two areas. We also recommend that you should make a copy of your passport before travel, and keep it in a safe place. (Also see section on Health below).

TERRORISM
We believe that Saudi Arabia is one of a number of countries where there is an increased threat to visible British institutions and organisations from global terrorism. Visitors to military buildings and bases should take special care. Visitors and residents should be vigilant; follow political developments in the region; and observe the British Embassy's advice on personal and vehicle security. Residents and longer-term visitors should register with the British Embassy in Riyadh, or Consulate-General in Jedda.

LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country in which Islamic law is strictly enforced. The importation and use of narcotics, alcohol, pork products, religious books, apart from the Qu'ran, and artefacts are forbidden. Islamic codes of behaviour and dress are also enforced rigorously. Visitors, and residents, should respect them fully.

In particular, the penalties for the possession of or trade in alcohol are severe. Both result in prison sentences. The punishment for importing drugs includes the death penalty. The Saudi legal system differs in may ways from the UK. Suspects can be held without charge and those detained have in the past not been allowed legal representation. Consular staff will seek to visit British nationals as soon as they are aware of the case. However, in some instances they have not been permitted to do so immediately or have had limits applied to access once granted. We have voiced concern about reports of mistreatment of some suspects during the initial phase of their detention. Photography of government buildings, military installations and palaces is not allowed. Visitors should avoid photographing local people. Anyone involved in a commercial dispute with a Saudi company or individual may be prevented from leaving the country pending resolution of the dispute. Passports are sometimes retained by sponsors or government bodies for official purposes. All travellers are advised to carry a photocopy of their passport. It is illegal to hold two passports in Saudi Arabia: second passports will be confiscated by the immigration authorities if they are discovered.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All visitors, including pilgrims, require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. Details can be obtained from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia at 30 Charles Street, London, W1X 7PM; tel: 020 7917 3000; or from its website www.saudiembassy.org.uk

HEALTH
There have been cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in South-West Saudi Arabia, mainly in the Jizan area. There have also been cases of cerebral malaria but only in Jizan itself. The outbreaks of cerebral malaria are local and do not affect Jedda or any other areas of Saudi Arabia. Visitors considering going to the Jizan region should seek medical advice on Rift Valley Fever and cerebral malaria before travelling.
Visitors should use mosquito repellents and nets and stay away from any areas in South-West Saudi Arabia with high concentrations of mosquitoes.

Particularly during Hajj and Ramadan, contagious diseases spread quickly, and pilgrims should take basic medicines with them and consume adequate liquids and salts. ACWY quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine is mandatory for people coming to perform Haj and Umrah. This is a new requirement. Those who have already been immunised against meningitis may require further vaccinations to meet the new standards. Visitors are advised to check with their GP for specific advice.

GENERAL

Visitors should ensure they have adequate medical and travel insurance.