Originally posted by: Infohawk
It's too bad we freedom-loving Americans aren't alllowed to travel to half of those countries to see for ourselves what heinous stuff goes on. I guess you're supposed to take the CIA's word for it. I guess you could call it propaganda.
What an uninformed post!
These are pretty studied reports. If you doubt, I suggest that you go there for yourself.
I've known plenty of people who have been stationed there and can speak with experience of other countries. The reports are very limited in what they say. They are limited because all countries like tourism and most countries take a dim view of an Embassy that says anything overly negative about them. I hope that after you have traveled some, you continue to post to these forums.
The CIA is not the Department of State. The missions do differ! Experienced travelers who have your welfare at heart draft department consular information sheets. They are the people who have to get up at 02:00 to get your sorry butt out of the local jail or arrange for clearance and transportation of your body when you don't read and/or don't believe the contents of the information sheets. They don't like getting up at 02:00 and they try to prevent having to do that.
I would invite anyone who is in the forums and has found the Consular Information Sheets to be false, erroneous, or exaggerated to please inform Infohawk. I would hate to give him bad information!
Unfortunately, there are a lot of Americans who have the same attitude that you have! That attitude does change as they experience the delights of international travel! In particular, it changes for those who don't think they need to abide to the host nation's laws and customs. Two things that Consular Officers can provide to an American prisoner in a foreign country are condoms and vitamins! Too often, that is all that they can provide. If they can get the American free of the local authorities, they can provide transportation back home, but you have to repay the cost.
You can travel to Saudia Arabia, the restrictions are Saudi restrictions:
SAUDI ARABIA - *Passport and visa required. (Individual tourist visas are not available for travel to Saudi Arabia). Transit visa, valid 72 hours, requires onward/return ticket, 1 application form, and no fee. Business visa, for a stay not to exceed 30 days, requires $54 fee (money order only), 1 application form, 1 photo, company letter stating purpose of visit, invitation from the Foreign Ministry in Saudi Arabia, and SASE for return of passport by mail. Medical report, including AIDS test, required for work permits; U.S. test results sometimes accepted. Visitors must obtain meningitis vaccination prior to arrival. For details and requirements for family visits and religious travel, contact the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, 601 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037 (202/342-3800) or nearest Consulate General: Los Angeles (310/479-6000), New York (212/752-2740), or Houston (713/785-5577). Internet:
www.saudiembassy.net
http://www.saudiembassy.net/Travel/VisaReq.asp
Visa Requirements
The following must be met in order to process your Visa
Business Visit Visa
Diplomatic And Official Visa
Employment Visa
Extension Of Exit Re-Entry Visa
Family Visit Visa
Residence Visa
Transit Visa
For all Visas:
Passports must be valid for at least six months
Provide photocopies of everything you send or bring in with your Visa Application
Medical Reports (when required) Must be stamped in your local residence or application area by the local Health Department; and also the Doctors medical ID number Must be included.
The photograph for your application should have the following specifications:
White background.
Dimensions should not exceed 4x6 cm.
The face from forehead to chin should be 70 - 80 % of the vertical dimension.
You will need Adobe Acrobat to view and print
the applications and reports.
Business Visit Visa
A white visa application form, a valid passport and one photograph.
An original cover letter from a registered company or firm based in the US indicating the name of the Saudi Arabian company, the nature of the applicant's visit, length of stay and financial responsibility. The letter must bear the company's stamp or seal.
An application from the sponsor in the Kingdom on the applicant's behalf to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or an original letter of invitation from the company in Saudi Arabia. This letter must be signed and sealed by the company and stamped by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce. For businesswomen, the invitation must come from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A money order made out to the "Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia" for the following amount
$108.00 for US passport holders (multiple or single entry)
$54.00 NON-US passport holders for single entry
$135.00 NON-US passport holders for multiple entries
( cash and personal checks are not accepted )
(For non-US citizen applicants) A photocopy of a valid residence document (green card)
Diplomatic And Official Visa A white visa application form, two (2) photographs, and a valid official diplomatic passport.
A letter from the concerned US Departments or concerned Embassy.
Diplomatic and official visas are gratis.
Flight information must be furnished in detail, in particular the last flight before entering Saudi Arabia.
Employment Visa
A white visa application form, a valid passport and one photograph.
A certified and notarized copy of the university degree/diploma validated by the Saudi Arabian Education Mission-Tel202)337-9450. An official transcript must be included, or a certified and notarized copy of the training or technical diploma must be validated by the US Department of State. Diplomas should be notarized by our Consulate for a fee of $8 per document.
A copy of the signed contract.
An original letter from the company in Saudi Arabia sponsoring the applicant certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce. It MUST indicate the block visa number and date.
If the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a release letter.
A police clearance report.
A money order in the amount of $15.00 made out to the "Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia".
Our Medical report (Acrobat file, 14K), completely filled in and submitted along with three (3) photographs and sealed by the US health Department.
Age of employment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must be over 22 years.
Extension Of Exit Re-Entry Visa
A white visa application form, one (1) photograph and a valid passport, and a valid residence in the Kingdom.
For dependants; the applicant should not be out of the Kingdom for more than fourteen (14) months.
A money order made out to the "Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia" in the amount of $15.00 .
A letter from the Saudi company signed by the employer and certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
A signed letter by the applicant stating the date and last port of exit from Saudi Arabia.
In case of work residence, the applicant should not be out of the Kingdom for more than six (6) months.
In case of a student's residence, the applicant should submit a school attestation.
Family Visit Visa
The sponsor in Saudi Arabia must apply for the invitation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once the request is granted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send the invitation and authorization directly to the Saudi Embassy in Washington.
A white visa application form, a valid passport and one photograph.
Proof of relationship with the sponsor ( a copy of the marriage certificate for a wife, a copy of the birth certificate for the child).
A money order made out to the "Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia" in the amount of $108.00 for U.S. Passport holders and $54.00 for all other nationalities.
The authorization No. and the date of issue for the invitation obtained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Residence Visa
A white visa application form, a valid passport and one photograph.
Our Medical report (Acrobat file, 14K) completely filled and submitted along with three (3) photographs for those over 16 years of age and sealed by the US health Department.
An application from the sponsor in the Kingdom apply on the applicant's behalf to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An authorization number should be issued for the applicant in order to get the visa, and our Embassy should be provided officially with that number.
Proof of relationship to the sponsor (a copy of the marriage certificate for the wife, a copy of the birth certificate for the child).
A money order made out to the "Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia" in the amount of $15.00 for each person.
Transit Visa
A white visa application form, one (1) photograph and a valid passport.
A confirmed ticket reserved in and out of Saudi Arabia for at most 48 hours.
A valid visa for the next destination.
Transit visa gratis.
NOTE: HAJJ AND UMRAH
Hajj and Umrah requirements will be issued separately every year before the beginning of each corresponding Hajj and Umrah season.
FYI, here is another published travel document to the same area:
http://www.traveldocs.com/sa/tips.htm
TRAVEL TIPS
Driving U.S Driving Permit accepted. International Driving Permit required for vehicle rental
Currency (SAR) Saudi Riyal
Electrical 127/220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 966, City Code, Riyadh 1+7D, Makkah 2+7D, Dammam 3+7D
Customs: Saudi Arabia forbids the importation, sale, or use of alcohol or illicit drugs. The government has and will continue to apply the death penalty to anyone convicted of possession of drugs with intent to distribute. In this conservative Muslim society, visitors must not import into Saudi Arabia any non-Muslim religious materials, pork products, or any material that may be construed as pornographic by Saudi censors. Cholera shots are required for entry for travelers arriving from areas where cholera is epidemic. All visa applicants must have a letter of invitation from an employer or Saudi sponsor.
Climate and clothing: Lightweight clothing is essential for the hot (38øC-54øC) climate. However, during the winter months in the interior regions (such as in Riyadh), the weather can be quite cool, so warmer clothing is recommended. Riyadh is dry, while Jeddah and Dhahran are humid most of the year. Western men and women should dress very conservatively. For women, skirts should be mid-calf length, sleeves elbow length, and necklines very modest; pants and pantsuits may attract unwanted attention.
Health: First-class hotels are available in all the major cities. Eat and drink cautiously outside major hotels and restaurants. Hospital and emergency care and services in major cities approach U.S. standards.
Telecommunications: Telephone and telegraph service is expanding rapidly, and direct domestic and overseas dialing is available at most locations within the country. Riyadh is eight time zones ahead of eastern standard time. There are several daily English-language newspapers, as well as an English-language television station.
Transportation: Many domestic and international flights are scheduled daily; taxis and rental cars are available in all major cities. Saudi Arabia has an impressive and rapidly expanding network of paved roads, including super-highways, connecting the country's regions and major cities. Women are forbidden to drive, and women traveling alone normally are unable to rent a hotel room.