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Saudi Arabia is on a mission to increase tourism in the country. In the wake of much controversy, The Kingdom is seeking to change its image, and for the first time in history, allow tourists to take a look around inside its borders. First step…tourist visas. Through this website you can now apply electronically, and I have to admit…my interest is piqued. Without going into politics and rights and everything else that causes heated debate, I think this is a step in the right direction, and I’d love to visit, see some of the country, and meet its people.
What does the visa permit?
- Validity for 1 year
- Multiple entry
- Can visit up to 90 days
The Cost:
440 Riyals..roughly $117 at today’s exchange rate and includes a health insurance fee
Who is eligible
- Must be over 18, or done with a guardian
- Have 6 months validity on passport
- Passport from one of the 49 eligible countries
List of 49 countries eligible for a tourist visa
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Singapor
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United States
I’d highly recommend visiting this page which goes into further detail regarding Laws and Etiquette in The Kingdom. A few things you should know
Dress Code:
Both men and women are encouraged to dress modestly. Women specifically need to cover knees and shoulders in public.
Behavior
Public displays of affection are inconsistent with local culture and should also avoid profane language and gestures
No Alcohol/Drugs
It’s not available, nor should it be brought into the country as it’s illegal in any form. In fact, Saudia is a dry airline FYI. Also…if you use any medicine that could be illegal, make sure you don’t bring it. This isn’t exclusive to Saudi Arabia, but an issue around the world ( especially with Opioids used for pain, or even muscle relaxers ).
Religion
At prayer time, five times a day, music is turned off in public places and many shops close briefly. For one month a year, during Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and so it is respectful to avoid eating or drinking in public during the day at this time.
Visiting Mecca or “Makkah”
Unless you’re Muslim, tourism is prohibited. Here’s what they have to say:
The city of Makkah itself is only accessible to Muslims. Each year, it bears witness to the Hajj pilgrimage, a religious duty that must be performed by every able Muslim at least once in their lifetime, and which draws millions each year. Holy sites in the city include the sacred Ka’aba, located in the heart of the Masjid al-Haram, or Grand Mosque, while the circling mountains house the historic Cave of Thawr, where the Prophet sought refuge from the Quraysh tribe, and the revered Jabal Rahmah, where he delivered his last sermon.
What do you think?
*Al Murabba Palace feature image courtesy of visitsaudi.com
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
60k Points after $4k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 60k points after $4k spend in 3 months
- Worth $750 in Chase Travel℠ and way more if you maximize transfer partners
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠
- The begins immediately for new cardmembers and after your account anniversary for existing cardmembers
- 2x on all other travel
- 10% Anniversary Bonus
- Every year you keep the card, your total spend will yield a 10% points bonus. If you spend $10k in a year, you’ll get 1k bonus points
- Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to redeem at 1.25c in the Chase Travel℠ and the slew of other benefits remain in tact including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver ( primary ), purchase protections, etc.
- Points are transferrable to 14 Ultimate Rewards partners
- Redeem in Chase Travel℠ for 1.25 cents per point
- No foreign transaction fees
- Suite of Travel and Purchase Coverage
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is my favorite
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024
- $95 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is exceptional starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex℠and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Ink Business Cash® , Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee is quite low at $95 a year + you get a 10% anniversary bonus on points + $50 hotel credit in Chase travel.
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