Hi, I don’t think you need to present anything, That’s good news indeed! Update: Saudi Arabia is allowing foreign men and women to rent hotel rooms together without proving they are related, days after it launched a new tourist visa regime to attract holidaymakers. Are we allowed to go to the Riyadh zoo by ourselves? Some rules you need to follow when you travel to Saudi Arabia. While things are changing in the big cities in provincial areas it’s another matter. Would it be appropriate to exchange hugs at the airport, or would this be considered a display of affection in public? Do we need to wear an abya? Here’s a … I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. I’ll be going there for sure. Women need to wear an abaya – The abaya is a local dress that covers your body (not your head). WOMEN in Saudi Arabia are now able to freely travel abroad without male permission. Long story short, the higher rank guy came out and instructed the policemen who were questioning us to let us go as long as our documents were legal. The traditions and cultures within the region itself are also very diverse. In the last few years, I have been traveling extensively across the Middle East and other Muslim countries, so it is not surprising at all that, every week, I receive tons of requests and questions from kick-ass women who wish to travel to the same places. I needed to travel from Jeddah to Riyadh. Hello,I am from India The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a level 4 Travel Health Notice for Saudi Arabia due to COVID … However, since Saudi is known for being an extremely patriarchal country, I received more questions than I had ever received before, some of them asking about safety, while others if it was even possible to go travel to Saudi Arabia as a woman alone. Female visitors, as well as foreign residents holding a Saudi Arabia visa, are under prevailing laws, required to mandatorily have their respective sponsors meet all such visitors on arrival at a Saudi point of entry into the Kingdom. The kingdom allows travelling as a solo female on visit visa. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. What I mean is that, in general, Arabs treat females as queens, something I am not complaining about, but the concept of females being independent is not something they can comprehend. He was stunned and said that they would explain the procedure at the station. Another potential danger might be being offered some camel milk. Because we have been to Israel, it was impossible for us to travel to Saudi Arabia until now. Women Travellers. Hi there, all your questions and more are answered in this guide: https://againstthecompass.com/en/travel-to-saudi-arabia/. Seven European human rights ambassadors criticized Saudi Arabia on Sunday over the continued detention of at least five women's rights activists, including Loujain al … Saudi Arabia allows women to travel without male guardian's approval. Yes, a woman can go to Saudi Arabia alone for Umrah. Keep in mind that I was the ONLY female in a car of 7 men; the driver and 6 male passengers. Are there any travel companies that offer packages for tourists to see the city and what not? The new rule announced on Friday allows women over the age of 21 to apply for a … im not saying that saudi does not persecute gays its just that ‘holding hands’ is an indicator of homosexuality amongst Saudi men (or even South Asian men). The northernmost part of the country has similarities to the Levant Arab countries, like, 9 – This is an exaggerated post and it’s not what it’s like in reality, After receiving so many emails from really kick-ass female travelers who want to wander around some of the most off the beaten track countries in the world, I decided to open a. It’s actually the fifth largest country in Asia. The strict segregation of the sexes and the need for a male chaperone leads to obvious limitations on freedom of movement. Visas - All nationals are required to get a visa in order to enter Saudi Arabia. I’m sure they’ll get there in the end, but they’ve got a long way to go. For example in the malls, men work at the shops, including lingerie shops and such, which leads to some discussion in Saudi Arabia. I got in one, slept comfortably throughout the journey until we reached the checkpoint to enter Riyadh. but amongst arabs itself its very common and its not viewed as sexual. It was a grey day in Manchester that ignited the first flames of Nouf Alosaimi's future career.. Having moved from her home in Saudi Arabia, she was in the UK studying tourism management. Zafigo’s Quick Guide to Riyadh for Women Travelling Alone or with Family and Friends. “Saudi Arabia is EVERYONE”… Well, except if you are a gay person since any minimal display of affection in public to another person of your same sex (even just holding hands) can be punished with the DEATH penalty. I’ve rented cars in different cities in Saudi with absolutely no issues, as long as you have a valid driving license for those issued in Saudi/GCC and international driving license for others. However, in 2019, Saudi Arabia allowed women to travel abroad, register a divorce or a marriage, and apply for official documents without male guardian permission. The worst one I get these days is someone coming up to me and slowly whispering “Mumken Snapchat?” which means “Can I have your Snapchat?”. The guardian has duties to, and rights over, the woman in many aspects of civic life. holding hands between a female and a male is also fine in all the negbouring gulf countries at least – it would be assumed that you are related or married and its not like theres any religious police there to appoarch you. Saudi Arabia has issued new laws that grant women greater freedoms by allowing any citizen to apply for a passport and travel freely, ending a long-standing and controversial guardianship policy that had required male consent for a woman to travel or carry a passport. Being a woman, I need a male guardian to move around Saudi With the recent series of measures aimed at empowering women and opening Saudi society, Saudi Arabia finds itself on the global map. I m Hindu female I need to go to Riyadh Dammam for business purpose and I m unmarried will I get the visa…like I have heard u need to be married to get a visa, Hi Women in Saudi Arabia aged 21 or older do not need male permission any longer to apply for a passport or travel abroad independently. As it is a Moslem country how easy can credit cards be used? The ‘guardian thing’ is more of a cultural thing, not the law. Your answer will be highly appreciated. The entire documents of travel except the travel documents copies should be kept separately each time. The country also has a goal of tourism being a contributor of 10% of GDP. Belgium has become the first country to appoint a female ambassador to Saudi Arabia in spite of the Gulf nation's shocking women's rights record.. Dominique Mineur will … Saudi Arabia is surrounded by the Red Sea, hence a perfect diving spot for divers, snorkelers or simply lounge by the beach or on a boat! I’m going to share an incident that happened to me on 4. The kingdom allows travelling as a solo female on visit visa. In the past, you needed to be over 30 and accompanied by a man. Jetta is supposed to be more open. It has been announced that women older than 25 years of age will be able to get a tourist visa and travel to the Kingdom without a male guardian. Since I am a man, all my articles tend to be kind of male-oriented, not on purpose though, but it is just that, sometimes, I forget that the experience for women may be totally different. In recent years, I have not experienced any harassment. The fact that women can now drive has improved things, albeit marginally, but the reality is that a woman cannot move around Saudi Arabia alone … Women in Saudi Arabia can now travel abroad without a male guardian's permission, royal decrees say. As always, I can’t give an accurate response about solo female traveling but, luckily, during my journey, I met Nada from Nadal Al Nahdi, a 20-something-year-old backpacker who has traveled solo to some very extreme destinations such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sudan, and the coolest thing about her is that she is half-Yemeni, half-Indonesian. The testimony of a woman is only worth half a man’s in Saudi Arabia’s legal system. One morning, as she looked out at yet another dreary day in England, Alosaimi longed for the sunshine she was used to seeing daily. The strict segregation of the sexes and the need for a male chaperone leads to obvious limitations on freedom of movement. I also plan to see what Lonely Planet recommends to see in Saudi Arabia as it has helped us to plan trips to Brazil, Belieze, China, Peru, Equador, Mexico, Guatamala, Morocco, and Europe. According to Omar Al Mubarak, the director general of licensing department of Saudi Arabia's Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the tourist visa will be a single-entry visa that is valid for a maximum of 30 days . I am considering a visit to see an old friend and his wife who currently lives in Saudi. I travel around independently all the time and, definitely, without a guardian. Latest travel advice for Saudi Arabia, ... Information on important laws and etiquette around dress codes is available to visitors on the Visit Saudi website. The e-visa allows travelers (including women 25 and older) a single entry into Saudi Arabia and stay for 30 days. By law, women must wear an abaya (full-length robe). You’re speaking of the Alabama of Saudi Arabia. The religious police do not have any authority, hence they cannot act on anything without being accompanied by the officials. It stipulates that women are not legal persons, and consequently, they have to be represented by … If you are a UK resident, you can get a tourist visa to perform Umrah. Do I need a special driver’s license to drive in Saudi Arabia? Latest travel advice for Saudi Arabia, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK. Everywhere I went I felt extremely safe. Private beaches can be accessed at a certain fee. I simply answered: I do not need a guardian and I can travel around without a guardian. Currently based in Buraydah, and as a woman you would be crazy to walk around showing your hair. According to Omar Al Mubarak, the director general of licensing department of Saudi Arabia's Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the tourist visa will be a single-entry visa that is valid for a maximum of 30 days . The regulation will be … Women in Saudi Arabia will finally be allowed to hold passports and travel abroad without the consent of a male guardian, a policy shift that marks a significant … This week’s Women Beyond Borders episode is all about taking a dive into the unknown. Apart from … , aside the ticket and iqama. However, in 2019, Saudi Arabia allowed women to travel abroad, register a divorce or a marriage, and apply for official documents without male guardian permission. It’s a common stereotype between Saudis that Qassim region is the most conservative with the most religious fanatics . The guardian has duties to, and rights over, the woman in many aspects of civic life. However, as things are opening up and changing, this is starting to slowly wear out. The laws also grant the women the eligibility for the guardianship of minor children. Latest travel advice for Saudi Arabia, ... Information on important laws and etiquette around dress codes is available to visitors on the Visit Saudi website. In the past, international women travelers had to be accompanied by a man in public if they were under 45 years old. Here’s a photo of me hiking at Wabah Crater: And don’t forget to pack your bikinis! you may probably require the items below for the journey to Saudi Arabia 1. Moreover, the culture in Saudi is so diverse that only 1:10 of my friends are purebred. The bizarre guardianship system is pervasive in Saudi Arabia. The best thing to do is to just ignore them and continue doing your thing. As you might know, Saudi Arabia started issuing tourist visas from December 2018, which means that now anyone can go there to discover its wonders. Changes in legislation do not necessarily mean long-held social norms will disappear overnight. @nadaalnahdi – Yemeni/Indonesian living in Saudi The only thing I don’t know is very specific questions such as the zoo and the banking hours. Therefore, It is necessary to first study about the customs and the correct behavior prior to starting the trip. After receiving so many emails from really kick-ass female travelers who want to wander around some of the most off the beaten track countries in the world, I decided to open a Solo Female Traveling section on my blog, to help women get to know the reality of traveling solo in these countries. Women cannot work in Saudi Arabia, only in a few, very particular ‘female areas’ it is tolerated. The northernmost part of the country has similarities to the Levant Arab countries, like Palestine and Jordan, while the southernmost part of the country resembles Yemen so much that it makes me feel like home! The strict segregation of the sexes and the need for a male chaperone leads to obvious limitations on freedom of movement. Indeed, this development will see a key shift in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. Saudi Arabia on Tuesday began implementing a landmark reform allowing women over the age of 21 to receive passports and travel abroad without permission from a … Please have a look into these Instagram accounts based in Saudi that will also show you the reality of Saudi Arabia as a Saudi woman and a non-Saudi woman. Saudi Arabia is rightly considered one of the most difficult countries in which to travel if you're a woman by yourself. I need to get a burqa aka ninja cover and a headscarf. Please don’t take it that if we don’t wear a scarf is disrespecting the culture. Saudi Arabia got you covered with black, brown and red sand dunes! If the police see a man and a woman kissing, they would also get arrested and yes, you are right that homosexuality can be punished with death penalty but controversially, you can’t imagine the massive gay scene you can find in Riyadh. The new rule allows women over the age of 21 to apply for a passport without authorisation, as part of … The new rule allows women over the age of 21 to apply for a passport without authorisation, as part of … Saudi laws require a mahram to be around a woman at all times when she's traveling in public.A mahram can be an older woman or a male relative. kissing on the lips is a no-no – both between gays and straights. Sometimes, this happens on the streets when random religious men yell out at you and ask you to cover. Ideally, it's her husband. Museums and some sights, such as Riyadh Zoo, have special family-only hours, and some banks have ‘ladies’ branches’. Women or men that go with women need to sit in the family section. The great way to store the documents is through the travel organizers while on the journey. Booking confirmations and travel tickets … I have been to Jordan, and I found it quite normal, too. The police insisted that was an issue, so they wanted to hand me in and report me. Seven European human rights ambassadors criticized Saudi Arabia on Sunday over the continued detention of at least five women's rights activists, including Loujain al … (I have traveled extensively around the world, but for the purposes of this e-mail, only my trips to Moslem countries is important.) And when traveling to remote areas and going for activities such as hiking, climbing, and camping, abayas are not needed at all. And, of course, the great desert landscape! It has been announced that women older than 25 years of age will be able to get a tourist visa and travel to the Kingdom without a male guardian. Saudi Arabian women arriving at Abha Airport on June 13, 2019. In any case, if you wanna go to Saudi, you will have to subject to their rules. Saudi Arabia announced that women are now eligible to organize tours across the Kingdom, a decision that is being hailed as part of the nation’s ongoing efforts to empower women by providing employment in the tourism sector and by allowing them to make their mark on this ever-growing industry. Now, if they see two White men holding hands in the city where a few Saudis know and are fully aware of western culture and how western culture views holding hands as ‘gay’, then it could raise some eyebrows. Reconsider Travel to Saudi Arabia due to COVID-19.Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism and the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian targets.. Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.. Saudi Arabia allows women to travel without male guardian's approval Read more The Saudi regime has relied on a narrow interpretation of walayah (guardianship) in Islamic theology to … Mahrams also have a huge impact on how you get around as a female.Women also are not allowed to drive, so you will need to have a male companion if you are female. I said: What are you going to report me for? In the end you’re living in Buraydah. Saudi Arabia will allow women to travel without permission from a male guardian, the government has announced, rolling back the country’s controversial guardianship laws … It was a grey day in Manchester that ignited the first flames of Nouf Alosaimi's future career.. Having moved from her home in Saudi Arabia, she was in the UK studying tourism management. Yes, we can. Here are some common misconceptions about solo female travel in Saudi Arabia. The airport is located 35 kilometres north from the city centre. There are some risks for women traveling to Saudi Arabia, especially if they're not respecting their codes of morality, like wearing an abaya at all times. The police asked us to pull over, took our IDs and asked standard procedure questions. It is common that your sponsor holds your passport during your stay. No you don’t have to be married to get a visa don’t worry. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you think you have a nice experience to tell! I was NOT ONE BIT scared because I knew my rights and that that was not the law. Women traveling alone must be met by a sponsor upon arrival in the country. Here’s a photo of my friends and me in Jeddah, along with a tourist/travel blogger @morinasworld. Again, this is a culture, not the law. The fact that women can now drive has improved things, albeit marginally, but the reality is that a woman cannot move around Saudi Arabia alone without attracting unwanted attention. Hi, I’m an expat here in riyadh and I have an aunt working in jeddah, she’s inviting me to visit her in jeddah. O pening her veil to the rest of the world for the first time, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is now showing up on travel lists. You may also be interested in: Is it ethical to visit Saudi Arabia as a tourist? But you can’t say in good faith that Saudi Arabia is for EVERYONE when you can literally get the death penalty for being gay. But even then my wife had just had enough after 6 years. Nada actually grew up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, so she knows the people and culture very well and has traveled around the country extensively, so who could be better than her to explain about solo female travel in Saudi Arabia? All rights reserved. Read: Places to visit in Saudi Arabia, a 15-day itinerary. © 2020 Lonely Planet. 4 – As a female, I cannot hang out or be seen with unrelated men. Women in Saudi Arabia will finally be allowed to apply for a passport and travel without gaining the consent of a male guardian in a historic move. We love colors, patterns and unique styles! The place looks so fascinating! As you might know, Saudi Arabia started issuing tourist visas from December 2018, which means that now anyone can go there to discover its wonders. Female travel to Saudi Arabia is undeniably difficult and full of barriers that we are not used to in the West. I am not saying they are close minded but it is a scene they are not used to. If you want to know about all the practical information to visit the country, read: Tips and how to travel to Saudi Arabia in 2019. While Saudi Arabia is becoming far more comfortable for Saudi women, there is still a long way to go before the same can be said for female travellers to the country. Good to know that it’s normal to travel alone in Saudi Arabia. Hey Karen, I guess it depends on which kind of hug Your age must be 25 or above to travel without a mahram. @nirvana.abdul – Yemeni married to a Saudi The flights were ridiculously expensive, and I missed the bus, so I went outside the bus station to hop in any of the carpooling services which are called “Kadad”. The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Information confirmed the same in an official statement on Friday. Female travel to Saudi Arabia is undeniably difficult and full of barriers that we are not used to in the West. and here in Jizan, mingling with locals while exploring the area. Everywhere I went I felt extremely safe. The fact that women can now drive has improved things, albeit marginally, but the reality is that a woman cannot move around Saudi Arabia alone … solo female women in offbeat destinations! In this article, Nada takes us through the 9 misconceptions about traveling to Saudi Arabia as a woman. Places to visit in Saudi Arabia, a 15-day itinerary, How to find the right VPN for Saudi Arabia, Tips and how to travel to Saudi Arabia in 2020, Need to know about Israeli passport stamps in 2020, How to find the best VPN for Saudi Arabia in 2020, 25 Best places to visit in the Middle East in 2020, https://againstthecompass.com/en/travel-to-saudi-arabia/, 50 Useful tips for traveling to Iraqi Kurdistan, A guide to the Karakoram Highway – From Pakistan to China, How to travel to Syria in 2020: Everything you must know. In fact, Saudi girls I met were telling me that one of the reasons they wouldn’t want to live elsewhere was because in Saudi they can go on the street in the middle of the night and feel safe, which isn’t a norm in other spots, US included. Disclosure: As a traveler, I use all the companies I recommend and you should know that, if you buy any service through any of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s HUGE! I say this from having lived in Saudi myself not as someone from outside the country. These small earnings help me to improve and create more content for Against the Compass. 1000 times yes. I plan to fly into Jetta, rent a car, and drive to Riydah, sightsee around there and then drive back to Jetta and do the same before flying back to the US. The move is a potential game-changer for women… To avoid unwanted attention it’s best to go with the flow and do the same as everyone else. Despite a legacy of human rights atrocities in Saudi Arabia, the controversial kingdom is making great strides to lure tourists. I have heard in Ridayh yes and no. I’m going to share an incident that happened to me on 4th January 2019. Some public spaces are segregated by sex – You will figure it out by yourself but some restaurants or cafés are still composed of two areas: men and family section. I want to take my daughter now in case G forbid things change and we are unable to go. @mearch_ – Saudi 1000 times yes. It can be of any color and pattern. @mykindoffridays – Saudi WOMEN in Saudi Arabia are now able to freely travel abroad without male permission. Even female travelers aged 25 and older will be able to travel independently on the e-visa, without the need for male companions. In most big cities, such places are common, but in rural areas, smaller towns and villages there are rarely restaurants with 'family' sections, making it impossible to eat in for a woman by herself. Maybe your friends know? Women in Saudi Arabia will finally be allowed to hold passports and travel abroad without the consent of a male guardian, a significant loosening of the Kingdom's notorious restrictions on women. There you have it, a proven and real-life situation with the man of the law that females do not need a guardian. I really appreciate your support :), Use Booking.com for hotels and guesthouses, Check on Hostelworld for for backpacker hostels, 1 – IATI Insurance (5% discount) – Cheapest travel insurance and for travelers above 70, 2 – True Traveller – Best backpacking insurance (only Europeans), Trekking equipment, books, etc, check on Amazon, If you want to know all the companies I use to plan my trips, check my travel resources page. Today both tourism and female business travel to Saudi Arabia is accepted. This translates to a … Read more stories from kick ass solo female women in offbeat destinations! Are banking hours restricted for women? Saudi Arabia is rightly considered one of the most difficult countries in which to travel if you're a woman by yourself. Your email address will not be published. thats a very western perception of homosexuality. Women Travel to Saudi Arabia Women over 18 don’t need a guardian to travel to and around Saudi Arabia. He is also the author of Against the Compass, an alternative travel blog, quite different from the rest, which aims at HELPING and INSPIRING you to do the same, always in a responsible way, with no rush, showing you the human side of the story and, above all, in a safe manner. holding hands with a person of the same sex would not be considered “gay” in most Asian countries. Tips and how to travel to Saudi Arabia in 2019. Women can travel to Saudi Arabia alone. Displays of affection are not allowed, regardless of your gender. Female visitors, as well as foreign residents holding a Saudi Arabia visa, are under prevailing laws, required to mandatorily have their respective sponsors meet all such visitors on arrival at a Saudi point of entry into the Kingdom. Can I travel with my daughter alone in Saudi Arabia? You can read about a female reporter’s experience in Saudi Arabia here. If subjecting to their rules is an issue for you, then don’t go. Saudi Arabia has one of the lowest crime rates in the world as the police are regularly present on the streets, but there’s always a small degree of petty theft like pickpocketing and purse snatching. While traveling to Saudi Arabia is difficult for women, leaving can mean even more trouble. The author was obviously brave to have got into a vehicle with 7 Male men but for your own protection this is not something to be advised. Can a single female travel to Saudi Arabia? This article is more than 1 year old. Those images really triggered the interest of many travelers who would have never thought of going there, and that included many women as well. It is common that your sponsor holds your passport during your stay. If you want to know about all the practical information to visit the country, read: 1 – As a female, I need a guardian to travel to Saudi and around Saudi. actually. What works in Riyadh or Jeddah won’t work everywhere. (CNN) Women in Saudi Arabia will finally be allowed to hold passports and travel abroad without the consent of a male … Is it ethical to visit Saudi Arabia as a tourist? The new laws by Saudi Arabia are being implemented with hopes of bringing in 100 million tourists annually, both international and domestic, by 2030. I have always been interested in Saudi Arabia and would love to travel there and experience it for myself. It’s a personal choice. Saudi Arabia announced that women are now eligible to organize tours across the Kingdom, a decision that is being hailed as part of the nation’s ongoing efforts to empower women by providing employment in the tourism sector and by allowing them to make their mark on this ever-growing industry. Women traveling alone must be met by a sponsor upon arrival in the country. Read: How to find the right VPN for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is rightly considered one of the most difficult countries in which to travel if you're a woman by yourself. I needed to travel from Jeddah to Riyadh. From Eritrea to Sudan, Syria, and Pakistan, Joan Torres has been traveling to some of the most off the beaten track destinations on Earth since 2014. Required fields are marked *. I ‘m planning to go to the bts concert in Riyadh this October.Anything I need to know? Simply say no and walk away and that’s the end of it. Though a headscarf is not compulsory, it's best to have one on hand in more conservative areas.
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