When you are in Saudi Arabia, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear har

The overall level of the advice has not changed. It contains updated information under Entry and exit requirements and Laws. We continue to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Saudi Arabia.
If you do decide to travel to Saudi Arabia, you should exercise extreme caution. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Statements by international terrorist groups continue to call for attacks los angeles superior court name index against Westerners on the Arabian Peninsula, including Saudi Arabia. These include references to residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. See the Terrorism section los angeles superior court name index below for a list of possible targets.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest los angeles superior court name index Embassy or Consulate of Saudi Arabia for the most up-to-date information.
One-time visitors on a single-entry visa do not need an exit permit to depart Saudi Arabia. However, foreigners holding Saudi work and/or residency permits who wish to depart Saudi Arabia need to obtain an exit permit. The request for these permits is submitted to the Saudi Ministry of Interior via the foreigner s Saudi sponsor.
Persons involved in business or labour disputes or employment los angeles superior court name index dismissal disputes are generally not granted an exit visa until the case is resolved in the courts or abandoned. This may take many months. Saudi sponsors have substantial leverage in such dispute negotiations.
Women and children residing in Saudi Arabia as members of a Saudi household need permission from a male relative to depart Saudi Arabia. Women visitors and residents travelling alone who are not met by sponsors have experienced delays before being allowed los angeles superior court name index to enter the country or to continue on other flights. Since February 2008, a Saudi man who wants to marry a foreign woman must sign a binding agreement to allow her and their children to travel freely to and from Saudi Arabia. This requirement does not apply to marriages before 20 February 2008.
All passengers must declare los angeles superior court name index any cash, transferable monetary documents or precious metals worth more than Saud Riyals 60,000 (approximately AU$15,000) los angeles superior court name index on arrival to and departure from Saudi Arabia. Saudi customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the importation into the country of banned items such as weapons, and items held to be contrary to the tenets of Islam, such as pork products, alcohol products, pornography (including images of scantily clad people, particularly los angeles superior court name index women), religious books and materials (other than those reflecting orthodox Islam). For more information and declaration forms, visit the Saudi Customs website .
Saudi Arabia requires all travellers under the age of 15 years travelling to Saudi Arabia from countries reporting polio outbreaks to provide proof of up-to-date polio vaccination. Travellers should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Saudi Arabia for further information.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing high threat los angeles superior court name index of terrorist attack. Ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you're comfortable travelling to Saudi Arabia in the knowledge that there is a high threat from terrorism. Ask yourself whether travel could be deferred or an alternative destination chosen. If, having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to Saudi Arabia, you should exercise extreme caution. If you are in Saudi Arabia and concerned for your safety, you should consider departing.
Terrorists may be planning attacks on oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Statements by Saudi security officials also indicate that terrorists may be planning such attacks. Attacks against oil interests have occurred in the past and could occur again in any part of Saudi Arabia.
los angeles superior court name index Statements by international terrorist groups have called for attacks against Western interests in the Gulf region and Arabian Peninsula, including Saudi Arabia. These include references to residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against Western interests in Saudi Arabia.
Terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Saudi Arabia, including in Riyadh, Khobar and other major cities. Terrorist tactics could range from bombings through to smaller-scale attacks, such as drive-by shootings and kidnapping. Past attacks have killed many people, including Australians.
On 26 August 2012, Saudi security forces reported their successful operation to disrupt a terrorist cell planning to carry out operations in Riyadh; los angeles superior court name index links to another cell in Jeddah los angeles superior court name index were also discovered.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers that paying a ransom increases the risk of further kidnappings, including of other Australians. If you do decide to travel to an area where there is a particular threat of kidnapping, you should ensure you have personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible terrorist targets also include other commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as residential compounds, embassies, international organisations and businesses, places where foreigners are known to work, clubs, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, markets, pedestrian promenades, schools, places of worship, transportation and transport infrastructure, los angeles superior court name index airports and aircraft, outdoor recreation and sporting events and cultural activities, resorts or tourist areas, oil installations and oil infrastructure. Symbols and buildings associated with the Saudi Government and security forces are also possible targets.
Recent demonstrations in the Eastern Province have turned violent. Four people were killed and nine wounded in clashes in the Eastern Province towns of Qatif and Awamiyyah in November 2011. At least two people were killed and a number of others injured during confrontations in Qatif in February and March 2012.
Although demonstrations are illegal in Saudi Arabia, political developments los angeles superior court name index in the region and international events may prompt large demonstrations or civil unrest. These demonstrations could turn violent and should be avoided.
Driving standards in Saudi Arabia are lower than in Australia. The annual death toll on Saudi roads is extremely high. An average of 17 people die on Saudi roads each day. Many drivers do not adhere to road rules and visibility on roads can be affected by dust storms. For further advice on road safety, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety .
Travellers los angeles superior court name index entering the Gulf area by sea should be aware that many areas are sensitive in relation to security and territory. In particular, maritime boundaries and the islands of Abu Musa and the Tunbs in the southern Gulf are the subject of jurisdictional disputes. There are reports of detentions and inspections of vessels and arrest. los angeles superior court name index For more information, you should also read our travel advice for Travelling by Sea .
Piracy occurs in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. All forms of shipping are attractive targets for Somali pirates, including los angeles superior court name index commercial vessels, pleasure craft (yachts etc) and luxury cruise liners. We strongly advise Australians to maintain a high level of vigilance and to exercise extreme caution when anywhere near these waters. See our travel advice on Travelling by Sea for further information. The International Maritime Bureau issues piracy reports on its website .
Before you go, organise los angeles superior court name index a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. los angeles superior court name index Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals los angeles superior court name index who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. los angeles superior court name index You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport los angeles superior court name index is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
When you are in Saudi Arabia, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
In recent years, a number of Australians have been arrested while travelling or living in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi authorities did not report these cases to the Australian Embassy in Riyadh. We strongly recommend you register your travel and contact details with us and keep family and friends updated on your whereabouts.
The Australian Embassy will make every effort to gain consular access to detained Australians at the first available opportunity, however, consular officials are required to obtain prior approval for their visits from the Saudi authorities, and approvals are not granted automatically.
People suspected of committing an offence in Saudi Arabia may be detained without charge or access to legal assistance for months while waiting