Last Updated: June 18, 2026

Embassy Contact Information

U.S. Embassy Riyadh

Collector Road M, Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter. P.O. Box 94309,

Riyadh 11693

Phone: +216 71 107 000

 

U.S. Consulate General Jeddah

Al Muhammadiyah District, near the new American School building, Jeddah.

Tel: +966 (12) 220 5000

U.S. Consulate General Dharan

Corner of Salah Addin Al Ayoubi Road and Prince Fahad bin Sultan Street

Al Khobar

Tel: +966 (13) 839-5700.

OSAC Country Chapters

The Riyadh Country Chapter is currently active. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Middle East & North Africa team with any questions.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates travelers should reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to the risk of Iranian drone and missile targeting of American interests, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity. It also states: 

Do not travel to the following locations due to the threat of missile and drone attacks and terrorism:

• Within 20 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border, including the city of Najran
• Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah.

Crime

Since 2018, the U.S. Department of State has assessed Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran as being LOW-threat locations for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.  Nevertheless, travelers should continue to exercise vigilance to mitigate potential exposure to criminal activity.

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia.

The Unified Emergency Number is 911 for police, fire department/civil defense, and medical in Riyadh Region, Makkah Region, and Eastern Province (encompassing the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran).  Elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, call 999 for police.

Review the U.S. Department of State’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.

Crime: General Threat

Crime in Saudi Arabia has increased over recent years but remains at levels below most major metropolitan areas in the United States. Foreigners and third-country nationals remain susceptible to criminal activity.  It is not uncommon for attacks and/or criminal activity to go unreported or underreported. Witnesses to criminal incidents may be prohibited from leaving the country until investigation of the incident is complete.

Crime: Areas of Concern

Drug use among Saudi youth is an increasing concern. Narcotics smuggling continues to be a challenge along the border areas as Saudi Arabia is a destination country for synthetic drugs, cannabis, and heroin. Ministry of Interior officials have identified border security as an area of concern and are addressing the issue through additional training and physical barriers. Security officials have encountered armed resistance from traffickers. Reports of significant drug seizures continue. Under Saudi law, capital punishment may be imposed for serious drug trafficking-related offenses, including smuggling, possession of large quantities, manufacturing, distribution, and funding or supporting drug trafficking organizations. The penalty for drug trafficking is death. Customs inspections at ports of entry are thorough and effective in finding drug and alcohol violators. Authorities may detain suspects for months without charges, pending final disposition of a criminal case.

Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, Taking Credit, and Our Two Cents: Petty Crime Basics and How to Minimize the Risk. 

Kidnapping Threat

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia.  Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.

The threat of kidnapping by terrorist groups continues despite recent counterterrorism efforts.  Terrorist elements may resort to targeting individuals rather than carrying out large-scale attacks. Criminal kidnappings are usually associated with other violent crimes.

The U.S. Embassy periodically processes requests for assistance from U.S. citizens with children abducted or wrongfully detained in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Most cases involve one parent refusing to allow their child to return to the United States. Saudi Arabia is not a party to the Hague Abduction Convention; custody orders and judgments of foreign courts are not enforceable in Saudi Arabia if they contradict or violate local laws and practices. In the event of marriage or divorce under Sharia, parents do not share equal rights of custody to their children; religious/citizenship status affects the court’s judgment in custody cases.

Terrorism

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran as being MEDIUM-threat locations for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.  Review the latest U.S. Department of State Country Report on Terrorism for Saudi Arabia.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Saudi Arabia. Terrorists may attack with little to no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Terrorists have targeted Saudi and Western government interests, mosques and other religious sites (both Sunni and Shia), and locations U.S. citizens and other Westerners frequent. In June 2023, a lone-wolf gunman attacked the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah and killed a Consulate Local Guard Force member.

ISIS and al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) continue to demonstrate the ability to inspire individuals to conduct attacks and to expand operational capabilities for planning and executing attacks inside Saudi Arabia.  Individual cells aligned with Shia militant groups also operate in Saudi Arabia.  ISIS and AQAP have expressed their intent to continue attacks in Saudi Arabia.  Multiple small-scale attacks have involved ISIS or ISIS-inspired assailants.

The Saudi government actively combats transnational and domestic terrorism.  Authorities have conducted numerous arrests, identified smuggling routes, and interdicted attempts by ISIS and others to cross the border illegally.  The government has a strong security force that has increased its ability to respond quickly anywhere in the Kingdom.  However, the government continues to struggle with confronting illegal immigration and smuggling along its border with Yemen.  Saudi border guards have reportedly stopped thousands of people from crossing the border illegally and have encountered an increased volume of smuggled firearms and ammunition.  The government is working on new initiatives to mitigate transnational and domestic terrorism threats, including fingerprinting passengers at airports and border crossings.  The government has increased its use of media to announce arrests and request assistance from the populace in identifying and locating terrorists.  

Iran’s regional proxies have attacked Saudi Arabia with missiles, rockets, and armed unmanned aerial systems (UAS) since 2015. For further information on UAS and the threats they pose, review OSAC’s reports, Drone Operations and Threats Abroad and Addressing Drone Security Threats. 

Regional actors hostile to Saudi Arabia have conducted destructive and sometimes lethal attacks against a variety of targets, including critical infrastructure, military facilities, airports, and energy facilities throughout the country, as well as merchant vessels in regional shipping lanes.  Houthis operating in Yemen have fired long-range missiles into Saudi Arabia, specifically targeting populated areas and civilian infrastructure. Missile attacks have targeted major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, Riyadh’s international airport (RUH), Saudi Aramco facilities, and vessels in Red Sea shipping lanes.

In April 2022, the Houthis and Saudi government established a cease fire, which subsequently expired in October of 2022; however, major cross-border attacks have not since resumed.  Violence associated with Iran and Iran-supported groups represents a significant threat. Those living and working near military bases and critical civilian infrastructure are at heightened risk of missile and drone attacks. Houthi militias have randomly planted tens of thousands of mines on the Saudi-Yemeni border.  Saudi Arabia is actively involved in demining projects in the region, but for this and other reasons, the U.S. Government restricts its personnel from traveling within 20 miles of the border

Political Violence and Civil Unrest

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran as being MEDIUM-threat locations for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. 

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia. 

Elections/Political Stability

Saudi Arabia is a monarchy, ruled by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is the head of state, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, who serves as head of government. The 1992 Basic Law sets out the Saudi system of governance, rights of citizens, and powers and duties of the government, and says the Quran and Sunna (the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad) serve as the country’s constitution.  

Protest & Demonstration

Security forces generally do not tolerate public demonstrations and move quickly to prevent them from forming or gaining momentum. Security forces have sufficient resources (e.g., equipment, personnel) to respond to any civil disturbance. Additionally, social media posts which could be interpreted as even slightly derogatory towards the Saudi government are punished severely.

Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment 

Westerners, and particularly U.S. citizens, remain targets of opportunity for terrorist groups and attacks inspired by terrorist rhetoric.  Non-Muslims are forbidden from traveling to Mecca.    

Law Enforcement

911 is the Unified Emergency Number for police, fire department/civil defense, and medical in Riyadh Region, Makkah Region, and Eastern Province (encompassing the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran).  Elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, call 999 for police, 997 for ambulance, and 998 for the fire department/civil defense.

The Presidency of State Security, National Guard, and Ministries of Defense and Interior, all of which report to the King, are responsible for law enforcement and maintenance of order.  The Presidency of State Security includes the General Directorate of Investigation (mabahith), Special Security Forces, and Special Emergency Forces; police are under the Ministry of Interior. These authorities generally maintain effective control over the security forces.  

Police Response

Police response times to emergencies vary due to lack of physical addresses and street names.  Residents have reported police response time averages about an hour. However, police elements are particularly responsive to the needs of the diplomatic and international business communities.

Saudi law is based on the local interpretation of Sharia (the religious law of Islam) and influenced by local customs and practices.  Authorities may expel, arrest, imprison, or even execute those violating the laws, even unknowingly.  Foreign visitors and residents are subject to all local laws.

Armed Conflict

Although hostilities between the U.S. and Iran have been resolved at the current time, if they were to resume due to political conflict, drones and missiles threats could resume throughout the Kingdom.

Transportation Security

Road Safety

Traffic accidents are common and often result in serious injuries/fatalities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Saudi Arabia continues to have one of the highest death rates in the world from traffic accidents.

Dial 911 or 993 to report a serious vehicle accident involving injuries/fatalities and safety hazards, or if one of the parties does not have insurance. For all other accidents, call Najm at 920000560. Najm is a third-party contractor employed by the government of Saudi Arabia to carry out damage assessments, insurance claims, and minor accident reviews. You must remain on the scene until Najm or the traffic police arrive.  Failure to do so can result in a criminal offense. In the event of a traffic accident with personal injuries, authorities may take all involved to the local police station; they also may detain drivers for several days until they determine culpability and reparations are paid.  

Primary road arteries between major population centers and in larger cities are generally in fair to good condition; in contrast, roads in rural areas are less developed. Road surfaces range from pavement to sand/gravel.  Roads in rural areas lack road markings, lighting, and/or reflectors. Drivers in Saudi Arabia regularly drive without lights, at excessive speed, or in the wrong direction. Avoid driving at night outside of the greater Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran areas due to poor lighting, unmarked construction areas, livestock crossing highways, and erratic drivers. 

With the advent of photo enforcement for traffic lights and speed limits, the Saudi government has demonstrated its determination to lower road fatalities. Authorities have taken steps to curb unruly motorists through the implementation of the SAHER Road Safety Program that uses speed and red-light cameras along with a nationwide, computerized database of registered vehicle owners.     

With a valid visitor visa and U.S. or international driver’s license, visitors may drive a rental car. However, outside the major cities of Riyadh, Dhahran and Jeddah, visitors may experience difficulty renting a car.  To drive vehicles other than rental cars, a Saudi driver’s license, appropriate car registration, motor vehicle inspection, and auto insurance are required.  Police may detain you if you cannot produce these documents.  Since 2018, women have been able to obtain a driver’s license and can legally drive throughout Saudi Arabia.

For detailed, country-specific road and vehicle safety information, read the World Health Organization’s Global Status Report on Road Safety.

Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.  

Public Transportation Safety

U.S. Government employees are prohibited from using taxis in Saudi Arabia, with the exception of Uber and Careem. If you must use a taxi, only use established companies, such as those offering cabs with meters. Taxis and lift services are available throughout major cities, and you should arrange a pickup by telephone or via smartphone app when possible. Avoid sitting in the front seat of a taxi, do not travel to unfamiliar areas, and do not enter taxis with unknown passengers.

Travel by air and rail is accessible and generally safe.  Security is adequate at the country’s main airports and train stations for passengers and cargo.

Aviation Concerns

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Saudi Arabia's Civil Aviation Authority is in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization aviation safety standards for oversight of Saudi Arabia's air carrier operations.

Several international airports operate in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), and Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport (DMM) have adequate security; all airports have new biometric systems for immigration processing.

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region, including Saudi Arabia, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued several advisory Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs). Consult the Federal Aviation Administration's Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices for the NOTAM covering the region.

Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights; and consider the European Union Air Safety List.

Maritime Security

Regional tensions have significantly elevated maritime security threats across the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz. Since March, Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz to Western-linked vessels and deployed mines throughout the waterway, compounding risks to all transiting ships.

Consult with the Stable Seas Maritime Security Index for detailed information and ratings regarding rule of law, law enforcement, piracy, and other maritime security indicators.

Travelers with Special Considerations 

For specific traveler concerns in Saudi Arabia, review the local laws and circumstances on the U.S. Department of State’s Country Information Page.  

• Women Travelers 

• Gay and Lesbian Travelers 

• Accessibility Needs 

• Studying Abroad 

• Faith-Based Travel 

Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency 

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia.  

The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption, and the government generally implements the law effectively. The government prosecuted some officials for corruption in the past year, although there were allegations of a significant lack of respect for fair trial guarantees and other human rights abuses or violations, including allegations of torture, in these cases. Human rights organizations have criticized the government for using anti-corruption campaigns as a pretext to target political opponents and for arbitrarily detaining and abusing individuals targeted in crackdowns.

For topics or concerns related to human rights issues, review the U.S. Department of State’s Human Rights Report.

The Saudi government does not permit photography of governmental facilities, such as military bases and government buildings, nor military, security, or police personnel. The Saudi government is also sensitive to photographs that may be perceived as portraying the country in an unfavorable light.  This policy can include photos of mosques, impoverished areas, the local population, and traditional souks (markets).  You should not take anyone’s picture without clear consent and never take a picture of a woman or a place where women congregate. Be aware of local sensitivities whenever you are taking pictures in public. U.S. citizens have been routinely detained for violating these policies.

Identification Requirements: All persons are required to carry their iqama card (national identification) on their persons while moving around Saudi Arabia.  For those individuals in the country on a travel visa, carry your passport and a copy of your visa.

Review OSAC’s report, Lèse Majesté: Watching what you say (and type) abroad.

Health Concerns

Medical care varies greatly in quality, and high-profile cases of medical malpractice and errors have occurred. Consult your regular physician if you are considering serious medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities.  First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities.

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA, a humanitarian society that provides emergency medical services throughout the Kingdom) operates a mobile application called “Asefni,” or “Save Me.” The app provides emergency teams with the user’s location, information about health facilities within the user’s vicinity, and emergency contact numbers for relief organizations. The app is an effort to provide more efficient emergency response times.   

Call 911 or 997 for medical emergencies.  Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website.  The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on health insurance overseas.

To obtain work and residence permits, you are required to obtain a medical report or physical examination confirming that you are free from contagious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. If you test positive for HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, you will not be allowed to work in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has not imposed HIV/AIDS or hepatitis travel restrictions on other categories of travelers.

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia.  Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.

See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.

Vaccinations

Many infectious diseases, such as measles, typhoid, dengue, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), are present in Saudi Arabia.

Review the CDC Travelers’ Health site for country-specific vaccine recommendations.

Issues Traveling with Medications

Review Saud Arabia's Food and Drug Authority list of authorized/banned medications and drugs.

Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.  

Water Quality

Saudi tap water is not potable and varies in quality throughout the regions.

Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?

Natural Disasters

Saudi Arabia has a dry climate with extreme heat several months of the year; be sure to stay hydrated. Air pollution is a significant concern in many parts of Saudi Arabia.

Review OSAC’s report, Dangers of Excessive Heat.

Cybersecurity

The Saudi government continues to expand its cybersecurity activities. Major cyberattacks against Saudi Arabia in 2012 and 2016 focused on the private sector and on Saudi government agencies, spurring action from Saudi policymakers and local business leaders. The Saudi government continues to develop and expand its collaboration with the U.S. Government on cybersecurity.   

The Saudi government blocks access to various websites reported to contain pornographic, religious, and political material it considers offensive or sensitive.   

Cybersecurity should be an increasingly important focus for the U.S. private sector abroad.  U.S. organizations based in the Middle East should increase the use of cybersecurity best practices, especially with regards to the identification and reporting of spear phishing emails. Cyber threat researchers report that Iranian hacking groups have used phishing emails to deliver malware and or harvest credentials. In previously observed campaigns, phishing emails and SMS sent to victims have contained malicious links designed to redirect users to credential harvesting websites, initiate scripts that install malware, and or malicious attachments containing malware.

State actors may use malware to conduct intelligence gathering in the form of stealing files, logging keystrokes, and or destroying data for disruptive purposes. Follow best practices for cybersecurity.

Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.

Counterintelligence Issues

One-third of the population consists of third-country nationals. Most countries that are reported as engaging in concerning counterintelligence activities also have citizens who reside in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia displays the ability to monitor individuals.

Import/Export Restrictions

Saudi customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the importation of such banned items as alcohol, weapons, and any item that is held to be contrary to the tenets of Islam (e.g., pork or anything considered pornographic under strict Islamic principles).  Penalties for the import, manufacture, possession, and consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs in Saudi Arabia are severe.  Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences, heavy fines, and deportation.  Imported and domestic audiovisual media and reading matter are censored.  Banned items such as those identified above may be confiscated and the owner subject to penalties and fines.  Electronic devices may be subject to inspection upon entry or exit. The use and import of satellite phones require prior authorization, specifically a permit from the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC).  The Saudi Agriculture Ministry must approve all pets imported into Saudi Arabia.

The importation of drones for commercial or personal use is prohibited without prior approval from the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA).  A customs clearance certificate authorizing importation can be obtained as part of the GACA approval process.

A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.