Saudi Arabia

Climate:   Saudi Arabia experiences a range of  climates dependant on the region of the country you are in. However, generally summer is hot with temperatures in some areas reaching 49°C (120°F) and winter is cooler with an average temperature of 23°C (74°F) in Jeddah and 14°C (58°F) in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is one of the driest countries in the world, with rainfall averaging less than 5 inches per year.

Geography
The majority of Saudi Arabia is desert. Over half the area is Rub' al-Khali, or Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert in the world and a second huge sand desert, the Nafud, lays across the north-west of the country. As neighbors, Saudi has Oman, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates to the south-east, Iraq and Kuwait to the north, and to the west lies Jordan. In the west, Saudi Arabia has a range of a mountains running the entire length of the country. 

Language
The official language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic. English is widely understood and spoken and is commonly used in business communities. Companies however must conduct all their business with the government in Arabic and while most major contracts use English, documents establishing joint-venture or agency representation must be in Arabic in order to be legally binding.

Visa Requirements
Visas are required by all except the following nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates. There is no such thing as a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia. You can enter the country with a visitor's visa, transit visa or (if you're Muslim) hajj or umrah visa. 

A visitor's visa can only be obtained through a formal invitation from the company or individual sponsoring the visitor.  

For a work visa for Saudi Arabia, there is a  long process that your sponsor will have to complete on your behalf (processing a work visa application usually takes about 6 weeks). You must show copies of your employment contract and academic or professional qualifications and will have to undergo a medical examination (including a test for HIV).  Once you have started work in Saudi, you will be issued a residence visa and generally you will be required to give your passport to your sponsor and be issued with an iqama (a residence permit) which should be kept with you at all times.

Holders of an Israeli passport or passports with Israeli stamps in them and passengers not complying with Saudi conventions of dress and behavior will be refused entry to Saudi Arabia. Unaccompanied women must be met at the airport by their sponsor or husband and have confirmed onward reservations as far as their final destination in Saudi Arabia. If met by a sponsor, it is worth noting that there are restrictions on women traveling by car with men who are not related by blood or marriage. However it is acceptable for women visiting for business purposes to be accompanied and met at the airport by male business partners.

We strongly recommend all visa regulations are checked with the Saudi Arabia consulate in your country prior to travel. Visa regulations are subject to change and the above only serve as a guide.

Local Laws & Customs
Islam is the official religion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its tenets are enshrined as law. The public practice of any religion other than Islam is not allowed in Saudi Arabia.

The religion and customs of Saudi Arabia dictate conservative dress for both men and women. Saudi men wear the traditional dress called a thobe and Saudi women wear a voluminous black cloak called an ibayah, a scarf covering the hair and a full-face veil when they go out in public or are in the presence of men who are not close relatives. As a general rule, foreign men should wear long trousers and shirts that cover the upper torso. Foreign women should wear loose fitting skirts with hemlines well below the knee. Sleeves should be at least elbow length and the neckline modest. Shorts and bathing suits should not be worn in public. The norms for public behavior are extremely conservative and religious police, known as Mutawwain, are charged with enforcing these standards.

Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Invitations to private homes are unusual and entertaining is usually in hotels or restaurants.

Penalties are severe for the importation of prohibited items such as alcohol, pork products, narcotics and pornography. Licenses are required to bring in arms, ammunition and pharmaceuticals.

Driving Licenses
Whilst foreign visitors can drive a rental car on an international license, residents must obtain a local driving license.