Many people write to me from outside the kingdom saying they’d love to visit Saudi Arabia. They want to come here, but are afraid to. They are afraid of breaking the strict rules and getting into deep trouble.
Activities that are normal in non-Muslim countries, such as drinking alcohol and having sexual relations outside of marriage, are completely unacceptable in Saudi Arabia.
Out of fear of punishment, they decide not to come at all. What a pity!
To find out how the government is handling the millions of tourists and visitors who visit the kingdom, I quizzed officials at the local immigration office.
They told me that unlike residents, tourists are a different case. Why? Here is what I learned from them.
So, Should You Be Afraid To Visit Saudi Arabia?
Cautious, yes, afraid, no! Strict laws apply to public behavior. However, the Saudi government deals differently with tourists. Today, the religious police are banned, and it has instructed policemen not to interfere with tourist visa holders. The kingdom wants more income and happy tourists.
To find out how and why the religious police (Mutawa) got banned, click and read Inside Saudi, What Happened To The Mutawa Or Saudi Religious Police?
Easy On Tourists In Saudi Arabia
When you apply for the Tourist eVisa, the Saudi government website warns you to follow all the country’s rules and of the consequences of violations.
However, I know that the expectations for tourists where the law is concerned are different. They deliberately go easy on tourists, especially those staying in the designated tourist areas.
For instance, if I violated Saudi Arabia’s laws governing public behavior, the courts would punish me just as severely as any other Muslim living in the country.
However, a tourist would only be detained, fined, and likely deported within hours.
How To Avoid Getting Arrested, Prosecution And Deportation
1. Do Not Bring, Buy, Sell, Or Drink Alcohol
Everyone knows that Saudi Arabia is a dry country. Alcohol is not available anywhere. It is illegal, but you find it on certain expat compounds where authorities do not interfere.
Also, there are plans to allow its sale and consumption in designated tourist areas. (TBC)
Do not attempt to bring, to buy, sell or drink alcoholic drinks in Saudi Arabia. It is a serious crime.
People who like to drink alcohol exit the kingdom and travel across the bridge (causeway) from Al Khobar to Bahrain where they can freely drink to their heart’s content.
You can buy non-alcoholic beers in the supermarket and other malt type soft drinks.
If you are a binge drinker and want to cut down, then coming to Saudi Arabia for a spell is a good idea. I know many habitual drinkers who cut their habit during their stay in the kingdom.
2. Do Not Bring Or Eat Pork Products
Islam forbids Muslims to eat pork and its by-products. This meat is not available for sale in supermarkets or at the delicatessens. It is disease-ridden and unhealthy for consumption.
When you come to Saudi Arabia, take a break from it and leave your pork products at home.
Do not attempt to hide them and smuggle them through Saudi customs.
Find out how pig is so filthy, why Muslims don’t eat it and how it prejudices health in the Inside Saudi article 5 Special Reasons Why Muslims Don’t Eat Pig In KSA.
3. Do Not Smoke Pot, Buy, Sell Or Carry Illegal Drugs
Organized gangs try very hard to smuggle illegal drugs through Saudi commercial ports.
Drug consignments are frequently intercepted, and individuals get caught, arrested, and severely punished.
You would be very unwise to try to bring a supply of illegal drugs with you to Saudi Arabia or to try to buy drugs from street vendors in the kingdom. It is likely to be an entrapment. Trying to buy illegal drugs can land you in serious trouble.
Some men both Saudi and Asian chew and spit tobacco. You can see who they are by their yellow stained teeth.
Also, in Yemen, there is a plant with chewable leaves that induces ease and relaxation called Qat.
Practically, it is easy to obtain in Saudi Arabia but considered illegal and prohibited (Haram) to use.
I know that some people do take recreational drugs. In Dammam, there is a special hospital dedicated to treating individuals with drug addictions.
However, no one has ever offered me recreational drugs for my own consumption in all my years living in the kingdom.
4. Do Not Shake Hands With The Opposite Sex
In other Arab countries like Egypt and Morocco handshaking with women is acceptable. In Saudi Arabia, it is not.
Saudi Men and women never shake hands and do not openly socialize in public.
They do not mix in socially at all. Separation of the sexes begins at home, where non-family males and female house guests sit in separate living rooms.
Also, all Saudi national schools and colleges are still single-sex, except for certain English speaking international schools.
In restaurants, there are special seating areas for women and families only. Even expat and visitors should not shake hands with members of the opposite sex.
At first, I thought this was very strange until I became accustomed to it. Today, my sons attend a single sex boys school which suits us very well indeed.
5. Do Not Flirt With The Opposite Sex
Except for secret relationships, there are no girlfriend-boyfriend relationships in Saudi Arabia. It is illegal and considered very shameful.
The meeting of boys and girls is a very formal affair, and marriages are prearranged by parents.
However, I know for sure that secret love relations exist, but they often end in tears after a father rejects one of the lovers as a potential marriage partner.
These days too, I see girls and boys playing, and walking about in flirty, joky ways.
However, for many Saudis, illicit love relations are shameful and socially unacceptable.
6. Do Not Kiss, Hug or Embrace Women/Men In Public
It is not illegal to come to Saudi Arabia as boyfriend and girlfriend. However, it would be better to visit the kingdom a man and wife.
Even if you are married, do not hug, kiss or embrace your partner in public. People will not respect you if you do.
However, walking respectfully and holding hands is acceptable. Full embraces and passionate kisses will offend others. You will be reported and detained very quickly.
Please be sensitive and wise in these matters. You cannot openly express your affection in public in the same way you might be able to in your own country.
7. Do Not Seek Out Prostitutes
Many years ago, I was once offered a hook-up with an Indian prostitute. I was very surprised and of course, I refused.
It may have been a trap, but it became clear to me then such services were secretly available in Saudi Arabia.
I doubt though it is well known or widespread.
There are more profitable ways to spend your money such as on the many wonderful tourist attractions and natural wonders that the kingdom offers.
Your focus should be to gain new cultural experiences, not those that are easily available elsewhere.
8. Do Not Dress Like A Woman Or A Man
Cross-dressing is completely prohibited in Saudi Arabia. In Islam, women should wear clothes intended for women, and men should dress in clothes intended for men.
This means that men should wear thobes or trousers and women should wear loose-fitting dresses or skirts.
Men should also avoid wearing gold rings, chains, and any type of bracelet. They are prohibited items for Muslim men to wear.
For example, if a woman wears trousers in public, she will repel people, and her relationship with others will become strained.
They are not punishable offences, but are socially unacceptable.
To understand in more detail why and how men should dress as men and women as women click to read the Inside Saudi article Are Muslim Men Allowed To Wear Women’s Clothes and Jewelry?
9. Do Not Openly Display Homosexual Behaviour
In Saudi Arabia, men are very affectionate with other men and women with women. For example, they can freely walk about holding each other’s hands. This is not regarded as homosexual but an expression of close friendship.
Gay love relationships do occur, but they are never public.
Do not openly admit that you are involved in a love relationship with someone of the same sex. It is illegal and will put you into hot water.
Read the article that fully explains the character of Saudi men and guides you through the dos and the donts in socializing with them in What are Saudi Men really like?
10. Do Not Practice Magic, Mediumship Or Fortune Telling
Making magic, casting spells, mediumship and fortune-telling are serious violations and punishable under the Islamic Sharia law.
I have read about a number of African magicians who were intercepted at Saudi airports carrying their spell making paraphernalia. They get arrested and severely punished.
11. Do Not Dance Or Play Loud Music
Sometimes, while driving, young Saudis blast music through their car windows.
At one time completely prohibited, Saudi Arabia is now hosting musical concerts and events in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Tantora Winter Festival.
Attitudes are changing, but for the most part, people do not play or listen to music in public.
Until today, supermarket music or atmosphere music in shops is prohibited. I am not sure how long that will be the case.
Keep your music volume down even when you are listening to it through your earbuds.
12. Do Not Host Public Celebrations Or Private Parties
For the same reason, do not host parties, especially where alcohol, singing, and dancing and members of the opposite sex or gay people are present.
Also, do not attend such events as guests. It is likely to get raided, closed down. You will be detained, fined and deported within hours.
This is something very difficult to talk your way out of.
13. Do Not Exercise Your Right To Free Speech
Saudi law is based on Sharia law and Islam. The law is not based on principles of democracy or free speech.
You can express your opinion on matters, but if they contradict Islam and matters of Saudi law and morality, you will find yourself in real trouble.
You can have an opinion, but you are not free to say anything you like.
In matters of the Saudi Royal Family, politics and Saudi foreign policy, just keep your mouth shut. That also includes the things you write and say on social media.
I know foreigners working in the kingdom who were deported in only three days by the Ministry of the Interior for openly criticising Saudi foreign policy.
Frankly, what Saudi Arabia does is not a matter to discuss and criticise as an international visitor. You are a guest and here for the purposes of tourism and to enjoy new cultural experiences.
Simply abide by the conditions set by the Saudi eVisa and follow the rules and laws.
People quickly become offended by those who openly criticize the nation, the Saudi King, the royal family, or politics, and such individuals are frequently refused entry to the kingdom or swiftly deported back to their home countries.
14. Do Not Openly Preach Religion Or Share Religious Ideas
Preaching Christianity or inviting others to join your religion, politics, or cult is completely prohibited and a punishable violation.
The religion of Saudi Arabia is Islam and trying to convert others away for this is a very serious matter indeed.
15. Do Not Wear Clothes With Offensive Pictures or Slogans
Just be sensible about this. Avoid wearing clothes that carry offensive or politically controversial statements on them.
However, some people do not understand the meaning of the English written on the clothing.
A SR 100 spot fine and an additional SR 200 fine will be imposed for wearing t-shirts, hats, jackets, etc. that display offensive words or images.
To learn dress rules for non-Saudi men in Saudi Arabia, about what parts of the body should be covered (Awrah) and the new public decency laws that apply to tourist and visitors click Inside Saudi article entitled, The Common Sense Guide To How (Non-Saudi) Men Should Dress In Saudi Arabia.
16. Do Not Enter Mecca or Madinah As A Non-Muslim Tourist
Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter either Mecca or Medina. This is principally for crowd control and to keep the cities as sanctuaries for Muslims only.
If you manage by some fluke to enter and get caught, you will be detained, fined, and eventually deported.
17. Do Not Take Photos Of People Without Their Permission
It is illegal and impolite to photograph people without first seeking their permission. Take care where you point the camera. I have made this mistake and lived to regret it.
Also, you cannot take pictures of traffic accidents and other public scenes. Someone is going to get upset.
Before you video or take a picture of someone, please ask for permission first. This is a serious matter. You can get arrested and fined SR 1,000 and an additional SR 2,000 for the second violation.
18. Do Not Enter The Sitting Areas Meant For The Opposite Sex
When you visit Saudi families, expect that men will sit only with men and women with women in separate sitting rooms. Do not insist on being with your partner while you take your coffee. It goes against the grain of the culture and will offend.
19. Do Not Wish People Happy Christmas, Happy Easter and Happy Birthday, etc
People in Saudi Arabia probably will remain silent if you greet them with ‘Happy Birthday, Happy Christmas or Happy Easter’ and the like.
Saudis and Muslims only celebrate two main events; Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.
Christian events and holidays are not acceptable for Muslims to celebrate and mean nothing to them.
20. Do Not Use A Drone Without Permission
Get permission first if you want to fly drones. If you do not, it will be confiscated, and you will get fined, even arrested.
Related Questions
What Happens If I Overstay My Tourist Visa? Overstaying the Saudi eVisa is a serious matter. The ministerial authorities will impose harsh penalties. You will be detained, fined, and sent on the next flight home. The cost of the fine will depend on the overstay period. However, the penalty is very high.
What Is The Speed Limit On Saudi Roads? The speed limit is either 80 kph, 110 kph, or 120 kph. Driving too fast will trigger the automatic speed cameras (Sahar) and result in a SR 300 penalty. The fine for jumping a red light is SR 3,000, and it is SR 1,000 for not wearing a seatbelt and using hand held devices while driving. Fines must be paid before you exit Saudi Arabia.
