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transit/tourist visa for Saudi Arabia...where to start? transit/tourist visa for Saudi Arabia...where to start?
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Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #31  
Old 21 Oct 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bensimpson3 View Post
Hi all,

The beginning of this month I traveled from Qatar to UAE on motorcycle, transiting via KSA. No problem for me obtaining a transit visa and the check-points at each border crossing were quick and efficient.
Loooong time ago (1979 when i lived in Umm Said / Mesaieed) I went from Qatar to UAE in a car and on the visa it was stated (in Arabic) that the visa was only valid for going to UAE and it was only valid for a very short time (a few hours?). Is this still the case?

Edit:
I just found this old map and it reminds me of two factors:
-The border between UAE and Saudi is still disputed
-The distance you cover in Saudi is very short (25km?)

My guess is that it's easier to get the visa if you go from Qatar to UAE because it's a short distance and there is nowhere else to go on the route.

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  #32  
Old 22 Oct 2014
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Originally Posted by DaveSmith View Post
Nice job, Ben!

Would you share some details?

Where did you get the transit visa? How much did it cost? What country is your bike registered? Do you have a Gulf Coast ID card? Are you Muslim?

If you're around the Middle East, I'm in Oman for the next year or two. No bike here yet, but I have an open bed, plenty of parking, and a liquor license.
I obtained the transit visa in Qatar, a local agency (+974 44929224 / info@durramakkah.com), it took roughly a week and the cost was 150 Qatar Riyals. My bike is registered in Qatar, I have a residency here and non-muslim. The visa was valid for 3 days and roundtrip option. I have had friends who have transited to Jordan, so the final destination would not be an issue.

I had a friend, non-resident who was going to join me (two-up) and it was no problem for him to do obtain a transit visa as well (but only one way for non-gulf residents).

Here is a good link for further information on the transit: http://www.qnhg.org/files/wpro_share...0by%20road.pdf

FYI, I did the transit in the night, some sections of the road weren't that well lit, but otherwise all was good! Now in Greece
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  #33  
Old 28 Feb 2015
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Thanks a lot of the name and email address. I'm contacting this agency. Hope they still exist, and hope transit is still possible (by car). What kind of reason did you give for driving through Saudi instead of flying?
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  #34  
Old 11 Apr 2015
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Any answer from the agency?
Hi yirara!

Let us know if everything works for you...

we are planning to go overland from europe to sout africa. Your information can really help us.

cheers.
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  #35  
Old 11 Apr 2015
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Nothing new as of yet. Also no answer from the agency above. I guess I need to call them. But I have other things on my mind at the moment.

But anyway, I'm working on friends to convince them to do a car trip to Bahrain or UAE in autumn as they did those trips in the past and have taken passengers along. Thus it seems to be possible after all.
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  #36  
Old 14 Apr 2015
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I'm currently in Sudan, trying to find a good way back home to Europe. As I'm riding a motorbike, it won't be possible to get a transit visa.
On my way through Africa I've seen a number of overland trucks with small scooters/bikes strapped to the back or inside the truck. Could this be an option? Find a fellow overlander who's taking the ferry to Jiddah, team up and share all costs?

It really comes down to this question: Is it forbidden to ride bikes in KSA or is it firbidden to (temporarily) import them?

Thanks a lot! If you have any information or if you're on your way up, please feel free to contact me!
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  #37  
Old 14 Apr 2015
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Originally Posted by thammasat View Post
It really comes down to this question: Is it forbidden to ride bikes in KSA or is it firbidden to (temporarily) import them?
I was in Sudan June 2014 on a bike and was trying to get back to the UK overland. I wanted to go through Saudi Arabia, but was told NO BIKES allowed and there was a big visible sign on the board outside the Saudi embassy in Khartoum saying no bikes allowed in their country. You can take your bike to Saudi Arabia but you will not be able to ride it there, you will have to load it on a lorry at point of entry and have it back at the point of exit.

I ended up air shipping the bike.....I had a good price.
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  #38  
Old 15 Apr 2015
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That would be good news actually. Whether I put it on a lorry or a Landrover/Overlander Truck shouldn't make a difference. On Sunday I'll see the consul...

If you're headed north and you're thinking about crossing from Port Sudan to Jiddah, please contact me. Either here or on facebook (www.facebook.com/stevenslittleride) or via email (hofmann1steven@gmail.com). Even if you've only heard of people going that way, it might help me a lot.

Thanks!!
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  #39  
Old 16 Apr 2015
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Originally Posted by schenkel View Post
I ended up air shipping the bike.....I had a good price.
Would you mind sharing the price including all port fees/taxes? Which company did you use and what bike were you riding? Thanks a lot!
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  #40  
Old 16 Apr 2015
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Have a look at this: (and remember these prices were for big bikes as I understand that you are on a small one)
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-saudi-71189-5
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