Passport        

Per the entry requirements of the local government, you will need to travel with a passport that has at least 1 blank page and it must be valid for at least 6 months past the date that you will arrive back in the U.S.

Visit the State Department for details about the passport application and renewal process and processing times. It may take several weeks for renewals to be processed, so plan accordingly.

Visa Information     

A visa is required to enter Saudi Arabia. You will apply for an E-visa on a website run by the Saudi Government. Once it is approved, usually less between 30 minutes and 2 days, your E-visa will be emailed to you.  We recommend you apply for the visa at least 3 weeks before departure. You will be required to bring the printed copy of your E-visa with you to Saudi Arabia. The current approximate fee is approximately $142 (this is not included in the program cost).

You will not be asked about your religion on the application, and you CAN have an Israeli or Iranian stamp in your passport.

Visa Instructions

To Start:

The website is very user friendly, straightforward, and easy to use. Before you begin, please note that you will need an electronic version of a passport sized photo on a white background to upload to the website. The size of the photo should be about 2” x 2” and no larger than 100KB. If you need assistance in resizing a photo, please email your photo to lduede@stanford.edu 

Visit the following website: https://visa.visitsaudi.com/

• Create a login with your email address and a password. Follow the guidelines for the password with regards to upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Be sure to write the password down.

• You will receive an email from Visit Saudi Visa to verify your email address. 

• Click on the link in the email and then follow the instructions.

• You will then receive an email with a verification code. Enter the code and you will be re-directed to the Apply for eVisa screen. 

• Select Apply For Individual.

  • • Please keep in mind that you need to complete each page of the application within 10 minutes as you will be logged out and you will need to log-in again.

• You will be asked if you are applying on behalf of someone else and, assuming you are doing your own visa, you will need to answer NO.

• Next, you will need to upload a passport style photo. The passport-sized photo should have a white background and  should show a frontal close up of your face and the top of your shoulders. There should not be a patterned background or any other image in the photo other than your face! Allowed picture file types are .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp. Detailed Photo Specifications are located at the end of the document.

  • • • Once this is uploaded, proceed through the basic biographical and contact questions and click Next.

• At the top of the next page, you will be given an Application Number. We recommend keeping a record of that.

• Continue through the questions. Everyone should have a “Regular Passport”.

• If you are arriving on the group date, your arrival date is February 26, 2023, and your departure date is March 9, 2023  (unless you have a flight that departs Saudi Arabia before midnight on the 9thth – in t that case your departure date is March 10th . If you are arriving before the group in Saudi Arabia or staying longer, you will need to adjust your dates accordingly.

• Your Additional Purpose of Visit is Leisure.

• For your Residence Address in Saudi Arabia, select Commercial Accommodation.

• Under Name of Hotel type Sheraton Jeddah and enter 126992212 for the phone number, the country code “966” should already be filled in and you do not need to fill in the email address.

• The next web page addresses Medical Insurance and lists several insurance companies. It is mandatory to purchase COVID insurance and this will be added to your application and your invoice.

• You only need to click the box where it says:

  • • BY CHECKING THIS BOX I AGREE TO THE INSURANCE COVERAGE LISTED ABOVE WITH A FEE OF (180.00 SAR)

• Then click Next to go to the Terms and Conditions web page. You only need to click the box where it says:

  • • I HAVE READ AND AGREE ALL THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

• Then click Next and on the following web page you will have the chance to review your application and make any changes if necessary.

• If there are no changes, select your payment method (Visa, MasterCard, Amex or Apple Pay) and review the costs.

  • • The visa is 300 SAR; insurance fee is 156.52 SAR, VAT (15%) is 68.48 SAR and the transaction fee is 9.98 SAR, a total of 534.98 SAR or 142.33 USD.

• Click the below and then click Agree & Complete Payment.

  • • I HEREBY DECLARE THAT THE DETAILS FURNISHED ABOVE ARE TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF, AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EDIT THE APPLICATION DETAILS ONCE I CLICK ON THE PAYMENT.

• On the next page enter your credit card details and click Pay Now.

Citizens of other countries should check with the nearest consulates for specific visa entry requirements for their entire itinerary.

If you are traveling independently of the group or to any other countries prior to or after the group program, check the visa requirements with the local consulates of each country you plan to visit.

General Recommendations

Consult your doctor for medical advice on this program and use your best judgment when evaluating your health, physical ability and the appropriateness of this program for you. This program is a group experience and your level of ability and preparedness will have an impact on the other participants.

Medical care and facilities are readily available in Saudi Arabia and are of a high standard with many English-speaking doctors.

You are responsible for bringing an adequate supply of your personal medications as well as medicines for common ailments. Some medicines that are over-the-counter or prescription in the U.S. may be prohibited in some countries. Check with the foreign embassies and consulates in the U.S. for the country or countries where you will be traveling to find out what medications are prohibited and speak with your doctor regarding alternate medications to bring, if necessary.

We recommend you carry the telephone number and email address of your personal physician, along with an up-to-date record of known allergies and chronic medical problems.

Covid-19 Information and Vaccinations

All travelers will be required to complete a Traveler Agreement and attest to being fully vaccinated (having completed the Covid-19 primary vaccine series) in order to participate in this program. Travel/Study strongly recommends that you stay up-to-date with the most recent boosters recommended for you by the CDC. Please contact our office if you received a vaccine other than Pfizer, Moderna or J&J.

With destination conditions and travel requirements changing frequently, travel protocols for this particular program will be shared with confirmed travelers approximately 3 to 4 weeks before departure.

Other Vaccinations

At the present time, no non-Covid vaccinations are required by the destinations we visit on this program. (Travel/Study requires all travelers be vaccinated for Covid-19; please see the “Covid-19 Information and Vaccinations” section above for more information.)

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine and your yearly flu shot.

Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on your personal medical history, where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the U.S. You can also check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for the most up-to-date recommendations.

See your doctor before your trip to allow time for vaccines to take effect, ideally at least four to six weeks before departure. 

Digestive Health        

Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common health-related travel concern. It is not unusual for travelers to experience one or two days of mild intestinal discomfort at some point during the tour. Speak with your doctor regarding preventive measures and suggested treatment for traveler’s diarrhea.

Drinking Water

We recommend drinking bottled or filtered water which will be provided to you in unlimited quantities at all times. It’s important to always stay very hydrated and so please be sure to drink lots of water. However, it’s a good idea to bring your own water bottles which you can fill up in the mornings at breakfast buffets which normally (but not always) offer filtered water from a large water dispenser.

Additionally every hotel provides bottled water in the rooms.

In the hotel and in the restaurants chosen on your program, all ice is made from filtered and purified water.

Temperatures during our program can be variable, ranging from the low 80s (°F) during the day to the high 60s in the early mornings and evenings. In Abha the temperature will be cooler and in Mada’in Salah it could be a bit warmer during the day and cooler at night.

Since weather patterns are increasingly unpredictable, we recommend checking temperatures online at The Weather Channel or Weather Underground a few days before the trip departs.

Sun Protection

The desert sun is very strong. To avoid overexposure to the sun during the program, bring a sun hat with a wide brim, a scarf to protect your neck and sunglasses that block 100% of UVB rays. A quality waterproof, long-lasting, ultraviolet A- and B-blocking sunscreen (at least SPF 30) is strongly recommended.

ALCOHOL IS ILLEGAL IN SAUDI ARABIA AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO LEGALLY IMPORT, POSSESS, OBTAIN OR DRINK ANY KIND OF ALCOHOL IN SAUDI ARABIA.

This program includes accommodations, transportation, group meals as noted on our website (including soft drinks at group lunches and dinners), entrance fees and gratuities for all group activities to guides, waiters, porters. You should need money only for personal expenses, meals on your own, beverages not provided at group meals and for individual purchases.

A few things to note about money while on this trip:

• The currency in Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal which is pegged to the US dollar, at a rate of 3.75 Riyals per US dollar. The fixed exchange rate has been in place since 1986. Although there may be some instances where you can use US dollars to pay for something, do not count on this.

  • You can find up-to-date information and current exchange rates online, for example at Oanda.

• ATMs are readily available at all stops including the arrival airport in Jeddah. 

  • We suggest bringing your ATM card with you and using this as the fastest and easiest way to obtain local currency.

• Major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard and American Express) are accepted in virtually all hotels, most restaurants and large shops.

Gratuity Guidelines

Guidelines for gratuities that are NOT included in the program cost

• Hotels: Because of the difficulty of ensuring that gratuities get to the right person, tips for housekeeping staff at our hotels are not included. If you would like to leave a tip for your housekeeper, $1 per day is typically what is recommended. You should tip in local currency.

• Private transfers: If you are arriving or departing on a day other than the scheduled arrival and departure dates and have arranged a private transfer through our local operator, gratuities for your transfer driver are not included. If you wish to tip your transfer driver, the equivalent of just over $5 in local currency is recommended  - 20 riyals.

• Taxis: drivers don’t generally expect tips unless they go out of their way for you.

• Restaurant meals that are not part of our program: Tipping in restaurants (approximately 10-15% of the total bill) is customary in this part of the world unless a service fee has been added to the bill. Workers in the tourism and hospitality industries often depend on tips to supplement meager wages. We recommend that you hand tips directly to the waiter instead of leaving the tip on the table.

Luggage

Due to aircraft specifications and safety requirements of the small plane(s) on this itinerary, the following luggage and weight limits are strictly enforced:

• one suitcase, not to exceed 50 pounds

• one carry-on piece, not to exceed 15 pounds

Participants are responsible for their own overweight luggage charges, so please be aware of your luggage limits during the program as well as the restrictions for your international flight carrier.

In case one or more in your party need to isolate at the end of the trip, it is good to be prepared. Some suggestions of what to bring with you are:

• additional supply of prescriptions (approx. 2 weeks worth)

• materials to entertain you:  books, movies, sudoku, crossword puzzles etc.

• laptop  or iPad to be able to access virtual meetings

• a small supply of your favorite snacks/treats

• check with the person who is collecting your mail or taking care of a pet, to see if they can  extend their assistance.

• a list of contacts you may need (travel agent, airline numbers etc.)

Clothing

Men

The dress code for men is quite relaxed and you should feel comfortable dressing as you would at home. You should plan on wearing trousers and short sleeved shirts (polos are ideal). Clothing should be simple and consist of layers which can be added or removed as temperatures vary. It is not appropriate to wear shorts. There is no need to bring formal clothing although one long-sleeved shirt and tie are recommended. Bringing a jacket is not necessary. Socks are advisable for visits to mosques

Women

Under Islamic law, women must dress modestly in loose-fitting clothing that does not draw attention to their figures. It is not necessary for women to wear abayas or chadors (the traditional black one-piece clothing).

In September 2019 there was a definite relaxing of the code but as respectful visitors to the country, we recommend erring on the side of caution. With this in mind, women should wear loose fitting clothing. This can consist of a long-sleeved, loose-fitting jacket that comes to below your hips with loose-fitting trousers. Solid colors are advised but muted colors and patterns are certainly acceptable.

In addition to the dress code above, please always have a scarf packed in your purse as you will need to cover your head when you enter a mosque. Alternatively, Saudi women often have a scarf which they wear, not on their head, but resting on their shoulders.

Open-toed comfortable shoes are fine for women to wear during the day.

Socks are also advisable for mosques for when you take your shoes off.

It is not appropriate to wear sleeveless shirts, tank tops or shorts above the knee. The shoulders and knees should be covered in public.

Personal Protective Equipment    

You should pack an ample supply of masks to last you throughout the program, bearing in mind it may not be possible to launder them along the way. The CDC offers a guide to masks, which you can access on their website, here. We also recommend you pack a personal supply of liquid hand sanitizer and/or sanitizing wipes.

Internet

All hotels on your program do provide free Wi-Fi access in public areas and in each room. Some hotels provide a code for use (usually your room number and name) others are just open use.

Cell Phones

Contact your cell phone provider to find out how you can use your cell phone abroad. Charges will vary depending on the destination and your existing plan. Please note that many U.S. cell phone plans do not include international roaming, and charges can be quite high.

Given this, the other option to avoid spending a fortune on making calls back home, is to download the “App” “WhatsApp” before you leave. This is an internet based phone service so as long as you are on the WiFI of the hotel, you will be able to make and send WhatsApp messages and make and receive WhatsApp calls. Remind your family and friends to also get WhatsApp so you can call them. If the person you want to reach is not registered with WhatsApp, you will not be able to call them.

You should have no problem checking your emails in Saudi Arabia but please note it is sometimes the case that certain news sites are blocked. You may, for example, be able to access the New York Times website but certain articles within the site may be blocked.

The electric current in Saudi Arabia is 220V and many outlets use the British style 3-point plug. Newer hotels do provide the American style, two point plug but you should not count on this!

If you are planning to bring American electrical goods you will need a dual-voltage appliance (almost all cameras and lap-tops and chargers are dual-voltage) as well as an adaptor for the UK. There are all-in-one adapters available on-line which contain adapters for several countries all in a small appliance. These also usually have a USB port as well.