Is it possible to get a Saudi Transit visa?

[road warrior]

How difficult is it to get a Saudi transit visa as an American with a motorcycle?
I need 24-48 hours transit time.
Will they confiscate my camera at the border?

[uk_vette]

Hello,
I am sure it's just about impossible to get a transit visa.
you can have a family visa, or a bussiness visa.

the family visa is probably easier than the bussiness visa.
Do you know any one in Saudi?
perhaps not quite 'family' even.

'vette

[strikingviking]

Where are you now? You might have a shot if applying in the US. As an American, I tried several times while riding the Middle East four years ago and was denied every time. But there have been some three-day transit visas granted recently. Do not apply anytime soon before or after the Haj as the government is either trying to reduce incoming visitors or trying to empty out when it ends.
Good luck amigo.

[monster]

Hi- We are British so we don't know if the rules for US are different, but we called the Saudi Embassy recently to ask this same question. We were told that obtaining a Saudi transit visa would be no problem at all if we had our next country visa in our passport. The embassy told us we could obtain our transit visa in Jordan and we would be given up to 7 days to get to the Jeddah ferry. They seemed surprised that we thought there may be a problem!?
Who knows- things change so quickly and it all depends on how your home country are getting on politically with where you want to go!!
Good luck and happy travels,
Dave

[strikingviking]

Originally Posted by monster

Hi- We are British so we don't know if the rules for US are different, but we called the Saudi Embassy recently to ask this same question. We were told that obtaining a Saudi transit visa would be no problem at all if we had our next country visa in our passport. The embassy told us we could obtain our transit visa in Jordan and we would be given up to 7 days to get to the Jeddah ferry. They seemed surprised that we thought there may be a problem!?
Who knows- things change so quickly and it all depends on how your home country are getting on politically with where you want to go!!
Good luck and happy travels,
Dave

Congratulations in advance on receiving such a positive response. But beware that this could be a case of the left hand not knowing about the right. Saudis are notoriously stingy with their transit visas and far more are denied than accepted and not just for Americans. Hopefully things have changed since I applied, but back then, not only were the transit visas limited to three-days, those delivering the bad news of denial were about the rudest Embassy personnel I ever encountered. I tried from Istanbul, Syria, Egypt and Jordan.

Since Iran had also denied me a visa, in order to reach Pakistan, I wound up having to airfreight from Amman to Karachi. Be advised that Pakistan was requiring visa applications submitted while still in home countries. I got one in Eastern Europe but only after a personal meeting with the ambassador. (A great experience in itself)

[monster]

HOW TRUE!! We have also experienced the, "Yes you can" only to get there and find out that no we can't! Guess that's life on the road. But there does seem to be some basis to it- there are reports of people getting visa's but they are very vague.
Good luck with whatever you do. We still have no idea where we're going yet- 70% Africa, 30% South America.
Happy travels,
Dave

[uk_vette]

Originally Posted by monster

Hi- We are British so we don't know if the rules for US are different, but we called the Saudi Embassy recently to ask this same question. We were told that obtaining a Saudi transit visa would be no problem at all if we had our next country visa in our passport. The embassy told us we could obtain our transit visa in Jordan and we would be given up to 7 days to get to the Jeddah ferry. They seemed surprised that we thought there may be a problem!?
Who knows- things change so quickly and it all depends on how your home country are getting on politically with where you want to go!!
Good luck and happy travels,
Dave

Hello Dave,
that great news.
Quite different to what I was told about 3 to 4 weeks ago.
Pehaps your getting to the persons who know more in the consulate.
Was it the London one you phoned?
I will phone them tomorrow, Wednesday 04/2/2009.

Lets hope I get the same person, did you get a name?

'vette

[road warrior]

I finally got through to someone at the Saudi Embassy in the US and they claim that it is no problem to get a transit visa, but I need to apply for it in the country that I am entering Saudi Arabia from. Should I believe this?

Also, FYI Saudi Arabia had banned cellphone cameras for awhile.