You’ll soon be able to get a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia, but mind the red tape

NOT long ago, this was an ultraconservative, closed-off place. Now it suddenly wants us to visit — but there are some big catches we have to agree to.

WHEN it comes to travelling in the Middle East, there are the destinations that play a prominent role on the tourism stage — Dubai, Jordan, Israel — and those that are largely considered off-limits.

Saudi Arabia, a country bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north and Oman and Yemen to the south, has held its ground in the latter camp of Middle Eastern countries, but that’s all about to change.

Starting from April 1, the conservative, closed-off country will start issuing tourist visas for the first time since 2010.

In the past, visas mainly opened the borders to business travellers, folks visiting family, and religious pilgrims making the trip to Mecca. In an effort to reduce its economic dependence on oil, however, the nation is turning to tourism.

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Tombs at the Al-Hijr archaeological site of Mada’in Saleh in Saudi Arabia. Picture iStock

Aside from getting a close-up look at one of the world’s most restricted countries, highlights include Mada’in Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rock-cut tombs; the Red Sea town of Jedda; the capital city of Riyadh; and the Sarawat Mountains.

But expect a fair amount of red tape. Women over 25 will be able to obtain a 30-day tourist visa, while those under the age limit will not be allowed into the country alone, and will have to be accompanied by a family member.

Also, non-Muslim travellers won’t be able to visit the famous cities of Mecca and Medina, Conde Nast Traveller reports.

Muslim worshippers pray at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on June 23, 2017, during the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. / AFP PHOTO / BANDAR ALDANDANI

You may be refused entry “if your passport or luggage has evidence of travel to Israel, such as Israeli entry or exit stamps or any stickers with writing in Hebrew”, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) warns.

Visitors to the region should also be vigilant of the conservative culture in Saudi Arabia, especially when it comes to dress, gender, and alcohol. Women are encouraged to wear loose-fitting, modest clothes and a headscarf.

“Homosexual activity is illegal and penalties include the death penalty,” DFAT also warns.

The department currently urges travellers to reconsider their travel to Saudi Arabia due to the threat of terrorist attack.

Saudi women walk past a jeweller arriving to open his shop in the Tiba gold market in the capital Riyadh on February 27, 2018. The Riyadh gold souk is short of salesmen after a government edict to replace foreign workers with Saudis as part of contentious efforts to tackle high unemployment, with many of them who have been long accustomed to a generous cradle-to-grave welfare system regard such jobs as degrading. / AFP PHOTO / Fayez Nureldine

“There has been a sharp increase in terrorist incidents in Saudi Arabia over the past year,” it says. “Attacks have targeted the Shia minority, including religious sites, and members of Saudi Arabia’s security forces in particular.

“Further attacks are likely, including the possibility of indiscriminate and opportunistic attacks in venues frequented by Westerners. Large gatherings represent attractive targets for terrorists.

“Terrorist tactics could include bombings or smaller-scale attacks such as drive-by shooting and kidnapping.”

However, it’s worth noting that the country is ranked at a level two in terms of safety and security, the same designation as France and the United Kingdom.

But despite these restrictions and deterrents, the country hopes to bring in 30 million visitors by 2030.

FILE - In this Nov. 26, 2017, file photo released by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s young crown prince is opening a marathon tour of the United States with a first stop in Washington, where he plans to meet March 20 with President Donald Trump. The visit comes as the United States and much of the West are still trying to figure out Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose sweeping program of social changes at home and increased Saudi assertiveness abroad has upended decades of traditional rule in Saudi Arabia.(Saudi Press Agency via AP, File)

Starting in 2019, it even plans to kick off a construction project developing resorts on islands in the Red Sea. The resorts will be “governed by laws on par with international standards”. (Translation: dress codes likely won’t be enforced in these areas, though it’s unclear if alcohol will be permitted.)

With this news — plus the recent announcement that women will be allowed to drive without requiring permission, and the lift on the ban on cinema after 35 years — it begs the question: Is change on the horizon?

This article originally appeared on Oyster.com.au and has been republished here with permission.