Information, Applications and Procedures for:
Saudi Arabia Visa Services

On December 23, 2010, The United States Department of State issued a Travel Warning for persons considering travel to Saudi Arabia. There is no posted expiration date for this Travel Warning. To read the Travel Warning in entirety, please go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_932.html.

Effective: Until Further Notice

A Briggs specializes in securing Saudi Arabia visas. We are 13 blocks from the Saudi Arabia Embassy and process visas every day for residents of all 50 states.

Please select the appropriate Saudi Arabia visa type and receive step-by-step instructions and applications.

A Briggs works directly with the Embassy of Saudi Arabia daily to assist you in securing your Saudi Arabia visa. Our Saudi Arabia specialists have years of experience and are here to help. Please call A Briggs at 1-800-806-0581.

Saudi Arabia Facts
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Conventional short form: Saudi Arabia
Local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

U.S. Embassy In Saudi Arabia
Chief of mission: Ambassador Ford M. Fraker
Embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
Mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307;
International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
Telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800
Fax: [966] (1) 488-7360
Consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Saudi Arabian Medical Facilities
Good modern medical care and medicines are available in several hospitals and health centers in the major cities of Saudi Arabia, but only adequate medical care may be available in the outlying areas. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC's internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.


SAFETY AND SECURITY
In the most recent Travel Warning for Saudi Arabia, the Department of State continues to warn American citizens to defer non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia due largely to targeted attacks against American citizens that have resulted in deaths and injuries. There have been a number of anti-Western attacks in Saudi Arabia since May 2003. Terrorists have targeted housing compounds, businesses, and Saudi government facilities with vehicle-borne explosives and automatic weapons causing significant civilian deaths and serious injuries; and in separate incidents have held hostages and killed individual Westerners, including American citizens. On December 6, 2004, terrorists carried out an armed attack against the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah, which resulted in casualties among the Consulate staff and damage to consulate facilities. In February 2007, four French residents of Saudi Arabia returning from Madain Saleh were killed in a shooting incident while resting on the side of the highway.

The U.S. mission continues to receive reports that suggest terrorist actions against U.S. private and official interests in Saudi Arabia are a strong possibility. Because of continuing security concerns, the Embassy, Consulates General, and the remaining U.S. military elements throughout the country continue to review their security postures and make improvements wherever possible to lessen their vulnerabilities. Until further notice, official Americans (employees of the U.S. Government) are prohibited from in-country recreational activities outside the city limits of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran. Periodically, the Embassy and the Consulates General have closed to the public in response to terrorist incidents or concerns about possible incidents. During these periods, the Mission has continued to provide emergency services to American citizens through its duty officers.

All American citizens in Saudi Arabia should maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness and reduce their vulnerability. Terrorist groups continue to target housing compounds, hotels, methods of transportation, and commercial establishments where Westerners can be found. Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. In addition, American citizens are urged to avoid contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objects, and to report the presence of such objects to local authorities. Vehicles should not be left unattended, if at all possible, and should be kept locked at all times. American citizens are urged to park their motor vehicles in protected areas with restricted access and to inspect the vehicles before using them, looking underneath, inside the engine compartment, and inside the trunk. The use of a flashlight for vehicle inspections at night is recommended. Suspicious activities, individuals, or vehicles should be reported to the U.S. Embassy or nearest Consulate General. License numbers of vehicles and descriptions of individuals are extremely helpful.

The American Embassy and Consulates General in Saudi Arabia inform the resident American community of security matters through the warden communications system. Persons who are residing in the Kingdom should contact the Embassy or nearest Consulate General for information on their warden contacts. Americans arriving in Saudi Arabia are encouraged to register at the Embassy or Consulates General and obtain the most current security information (See section on Registration/Embassy and Consulates Locations.)

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, and Saudi Arabia Travel Warning can be found. In addition, warden messages for Saudi Arabia are available at the U.S. Embassy Riyadh website at http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/saudi-arabia/citizen_services.html.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

Contact our office in:
Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Lynchburg, Miami, New York, Norwalk,
San Francisco, Seattle, or Washington, DC.