Is it possible to get a Saudi Transit visa?
 

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?

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

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.

saudi visa
 

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:cool4:

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)

saudi visa
 

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

I have a UK passport. I got a Saudi transit visa last summer and traveled across it on a motorbike in 3 and a bit days with a German friend. We had no problems.

We had delays getting initial approval for the visas but other than that, from border to border, the authorities were extremely friendly and helpful.

No, they won't confiscate your camera. Why would they? In any case, there is hardly a mobile phone on the market nowadays that doesn't contain a camera.

Apply and good luck. :)
Stephan

shipping was easier
 

I have a British friend who was working in UAE that transfered to Bahrain. He initially looked into driving his UAE registered car through Saudi to Bahrain but gave up and shipped it. Apparently it was going to be simple, but when it came to the crunch of getting the actual paperwork everything suddenly was going to take weeks.

Not saying it would be impossible but be aware that delays are a definite possibility

WHen I lived in Abu Dhabi, I was originally told "no" if the trip was by bike.
then I was told "maybe" if I arranged to have the bike transported in the back of a Saudi truck. I didn't get the job, so the bike went to Canada instead.
A Jordanian friend, in UAE told me it's possible to drive a bike through Saudi if you have an invite by a local riding club. I don't have any info, and don't have that friend's email anymore, but it is an avenue to explore.
Good luck.

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

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.

There was a madness on cellphone cameras a few years ago, but there is no issue now. Be careful what you photgraph in Saudi, people are touchy about their privacy. Authorities are touchy about security. Photos in the desert are fine. In towns, Iwould avoid.
Bin

hello Bin,

I love these sort of posts.
I am UK citizen planning UK to CPT in a Land Cruiser. With the wife,
via Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi to Jeddah, (Ferry) then Sudan

With you knowledge, it sounds like I should apply for a Saudi transit visa in Jordan?
Correct?

Where shoul, or where is the best border to enter from Jordan to Saudi?.

Thanks


'vette

saudi visa
 

Sorry for not replying sooner- social life hectic!!
UK vette- We didn't get a name at the London embassy and it was stressed that we should and could get our visa in Jordan, so long as we had our Sudan visa in our passport- it would not be a problem. Reckon they just want to make sure you are definitely going to leave!
When are you leaving and have you got any contacts for the ferry to Sudan? We have emailed our contact constantly and still no reply!!!
Dave:cool4:

If you are applying for a transit visa at a local level (neighboring country) try to find a 'fixer' to assist.

The discrete offer of a commission to speed up the process (because you are in a hurry to meet a friend etc etc) can help move things along.

Offering 'commissions' takes a fair bit of tact and diplomacy. It is best asked as a question and using a fixer if you can find somebody to trust.

Something like 'Is there a fee I can pay to accelerate the process" is not taken the wrong way.

Patience and politeness help too, however they act. The Arabs see losing your temper as a loss of face on the part of the individual.

-
-
Hello Dave
Thanks for the good information.
I just feel that the drive through Egypt, with the carnet expense, then another expense on the ferru from Egypt to Sudan, just puts Egypt out of the running as far as wanting to see the place.

'vette

Saudi Transit visa
 

Hi,

Just got my Saudi transit visa, but it wasn't so straight forward.
I have managed to get lots of transit visas in the past but this time when i mentioned that i was travelling by motorcycle, then suddenly the embassy didn't want to process my application and instead asked me to apply via Riyadh, which meant lots of extra paperwork and health checks etc.
Finally i persuaded the consul to allow me to obtain an ordinary transit visa as per normal without the mention of a motorcycle. It does not mention anywhere on the visa whether you are travelling by car or motorcycle. It does ahave a place for the registration number of the vehicle but that part is rarely filled in.
So the best way to obtain a transit visa is to approach one of the many 'Hamlas' which are agents who organise the Saudi pilgrim visas. They will charge approx £20 and should be ready within 2/3 days. Just ask for a transit (muroor) visa and make sure that you have a valid onward visa in your passport plus a couple of photos.
The good news in all of this is that the Saudi authorities are now issuing multiple entry visas valid for 6months.

What was the cost of this visa?

Hi,

Cost of visa was 9 Kuwaiti Dinars (approx £20) in total.
don't know how much of that the agent kept, or how much went to the Saudi Embassy.

Regards

Just been turned down flat trying to get a transit from Amman Jordan to get to UAE. First refusal.. Right hand drive landcruiser..no right hand drive allowed.. 2nd refusal we do not have a visa for UAE. I explained we do not require a visa in advance as we can get one on arrival, his reply " yes but you don't have one". Now trying to ship from Aqaba to Mumbai.

Hi there, did you apply yourself or get an agent to do the work for you? We are planning a trip in March (three brits) to UK via Jordan and wondered how probable it is we can get a transit visa for our bikes

Bin saudin
 

Hi, glad some folk are getting through. Check the date of Haj as it is difficult to get in then.
Cheers
Bruce

Raffexpat
 

Hi,

I initially approached the embassy myself but they prefer to deal with the agents. So i submitted my passport to one of those pilgrim agencies.
They generally assist in 3 types of visas: Haj visa ( to visit Mecca) during the haj period which has just passed, Umrah visa ( to visit Mecca) good for the rest of the year except the two months directly after Haj since this is their clean-up time once the 2 million + pilgrims have left, or a transit visa ( generally available anytime of the year ).
So I went through one of these 'Hamlas' ( arabic word to describe these Saudi pilgrim agencies). They just bundle your transit request with all the other egyptian, jordanian, syrians etc who plan to transit Saudi on their way home. It should only take a day or two as long as you have a visa for the other end, and is cheap!

Hope this helps,
H A

UK 'vette... My husband and I are travelling exactly the same route leaving in July/August 2010. We're so glad that this route option is available now... Hah... Just thought, we're also in a Landcruiser.... Do you have any ideas on this story about Saudi allowing LHD vehicles only?
Cheers for now
Cee

Hello Sivie,
I inquired a couple of days ago at the Saudi embassy in Bern, Switzerland, for a transit visa. I got a written list of conditions, one item says: ,, car must have a left sided steering wheel''. - Hope this helps

Do they check your car??

My V5 does not mention that the car is RHD, and I plan to reverse an image of the car oh photoshop (minus the registration plate) and bring that along...

Are customs at the border very thorough? Will they refuse entry?

Are you talking about a 6 month multi entry transit visa??

Do you have to give precise entry / exit dates

can I even get a UAE visa anywhere other than a border / airport to show the Saudis??

Thanks

Daniel

Hi Huku

I'm sold... I don't know how they did it in a RHD, but we're going their way... Check out the link...

http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=map&go=aafricaa

:clap:

Hi guys,

Great thread. I know its been nearly a year, but just wondered how people got on with the transit visa through Saudi. I'm planning on going later in the year from Jordan to Saudi and then ferry to Sudan.

I understand you need Sudan visa in passport first if you have this

Can you get transit visa in Jordan?

Any updates of Jeddah-port sudan ferry?

Cheers

Tom

Howdy,
From Khartoum, Sudan some friends in a RHD landcruiser with trailer got a 3 day transit visa very easily. They asked the consul explicitlyabout RHD/LHD issues and were told it wasn't an issue.

I almost thought I had one until the consul asked me if I was on a motorcycle and I did not want to lie to him. The registration number of the vehicle IS in the visa issued in Khartoum.

The consul (who was very pleasant and helpful) said I can apply for an excemption to the "no moto" rule but that would take 3 weeks. He said also I should put my motorcycle in my friends' truck (not actually possible) but in my passport it would be the trucks reg. Number, not the bike's. He then said clearly "you must not ride your motorcycle".

So in order to avoid yet more paperwork hassles on this leg of my trip, I will go via Egypt. That should avoid any paperwork hassles, hey? ; )

Another data point:
I (US citizen & passport) applied for a transit visa at the Saudi embassy in Washington DC, and was refused. Reason given: "We don't do that."

Hi, what was your plan, from where to where?
I wonder do you have to apply from an adjoining country only?
Bin

Intended to enter Saudi from Jordan at Halat Amar, exit at UAE.

I recall HUBB user StrikingViking (also a US passport holder) tried twice from a neighboring country and was refused twice. So the track record isn't good.

Cheers
Sean

When I was riding back to Riyadh from Jordan, they gave me a police car escort all the way, cars in relays. This seems to be SOP, others report same deal in North and West. Maybe why they do not but out the transit visas for bikers. Still, worth a try. Will you be resident in UAE? Might make a difference if you can show that?

Bin

I was hoping to go through KSA, UAE, Oman, Yemen, then Djibouti as part of my RTW route. But without the KSA transit visa, it looks like it's Jordan, Egypt, Sudan & onward south. Either way I think I'll have an interesting time. :thumbup1:

Visa for Sudan
 

We are also keen to go via Saudi into Sudan in a RHD landcruiser, but are an unmarried couple. Has any other unmarried woman got a transit visa for Saudi?? What are our chances?

Can we get the visa for Sudan in Jordan?

We are keen to visit Egypt, just don't want to pay the carnet and other fees to take the car through there. Has anyone left their vehicle somewhere (in Jordan) and gone into Egypt on foot?

Cheers
Greenbean:-)