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First off, it seems like Saudi Arabia is SO restrictive with tourist visas, for one. But, even if someone was to get over that hurdle, how much is one free to just wander around and take photos of stuff. Do tourist things? Or is that a bit restrictive as well?
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe Saudi Arabia only gives "tourist visas" to Muslims who are going there for Hajj.
The only other way for a non-Muslim to enter Saudi Arabia is with a work visa.
That's basically what I've heard as well. You are basically confirming it.
Two possible exceptions...
There are some flights that go through Riyadh on to other areas. This is usually a connection coming from Asia going to Africa. However, I am unsure if a person can get a 'transit visa' and get out of the airport as well. Interesting.
I'm also curious about conferences. I wonder if someone goes to a conference there, if they issue visas for that.
First off, it seems like Saudi Arabia is SO restrictive with tourist visas, for one. But, even if someone was to get over that hurdle, how much is one free to just wander around and take photos of stuff. Do tourist things? Or is that a bit restrictive as well?
It's probably impossible to get a tourist visa if you're a non-moslem. Even if you have an Iquama (a residence permit) you have to have a permit to travel outside of the city your permit is assigned to. I had my camera seized taking pictures of the old section of town with the wonderful old balconies with carved wooden window lattices and the police told me I should take pictures of the new buildings instead. If I could travel freely there, I would go to Taif or Khamis Mashad where there are some interesting things to see, especially the Asur National Park. Riyadh offers very little for a tourist other than the Souk (bazaar). I lived in Saudi for over ten years, with two of those in Riyadh.
On my list of the countries/cities I will never visit, ever.
It's actually an interesting place and culture. My wife and I enjoyed our years there. The Saudis are pretty decent, honest people from my experience. They are friendly and hospitable, though you may find some younger ones with thinly disguised anti-western chips on their shoulder, but even those are courteous which is their custom. The Bedouins are especially hospitable.
There are some flights that go through Riyadh on to other areas. This is usually a connection coming from Asia going to Africa. However, I am unsure if a person can get a 'transit visa' and get out of the airport as well. Interesting.
Yes, possible, or once was. My wife got in that way the first time. She had a transit visa with an onward ticket to Jordan (had to show the ticket). Of course she was in the country illegaly until we got her Iquama, and a Saudi prison is not a place you want to be. We were lucky.
It's probably impossible to get a tourist visa if you're a non-moslem. Even if you have an Iquama (a residence permit) you have to have a permit to travel outside of the city your permit is assigned to. I had my camera seized taking pictures of the old section of town with the wonderful old balconies with carved wooden window lattices and the police told me I should take pictures of the new buildings instead. If I could travel freely there, I would go to Taif or Khamis Mashad where there are some interesting things to see, especially the Asur National Park. Riyadh offers very little for a tourist other than the Souk (bazaar). I lived in Saudi for over ten years, with two of those in Riyadh.
That's basically what I was hoping to do....take photos of anything interesting...and the old section of town, would probably be exactly what would interest me.
But to seize the camera...and recommend sterile new stuff....interesting.
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