Visa
Obtaining visas was a drama. We have been working on it for 6 months and finally only Jan got a visa. Saudi Arabia had no tourist visas and not transit visas (anymore) for Dutch. The only option was a business visa. For every visa permission is required from Riyadh. For business visas for men a company in Saudi Arabia has to arrange an invitation from the Chamber of Commerce or permission from Foreign Affairs. The first is the simplest. A foreign company has to write a sponsorship letter. Jan got his visa in this way, costs € 140. Women always need to get permission from Foreign Affairs, which is rare. Margriet has not succeeded. There was also supposed to be an escort visa for a woman who travels with her husband. This visa is available only if the man is a partner in the company (at least registered with the Chamber of Commerce). This attempt wasn't successful either. Applications in certain countries including the Netherlands and U.A.E. have to be done through an intermediary, VFS Tasheel. Our experience is that VFS Tasheel provides a too favorable view of possibilities and gives inconsistent information. For example they twice sent us to the consulate without any success.
Arrival
Entry from U.A.E.
Total time 30 min. Superficial control Dappere Dodo.
Departure
Exit Jeddah (ferry to Suakin)
Ferry arrangement through Malik from the Emarat Group (21,4694N, 39,1838E) went very smoothly. The exit itself took almost a day. Jan had to be at the travel agency at 10:00, had to take the car to the port at noon, and had a passport check at 16:00. The ferry departed at 22:00. The car was not checked. Passport control took hours because a letter accompanying the business visa was lacking.
Carnet
Not required.
Diesel
Diesel along major roads outside towns widely available, not in cities. All normal cars run on petrol. Extremely cheap (€ 0.05 per liter of diesel).
Insurance
Covered by TourInsure. Was not asked for.
Money
ATM's available and debit card payments possible. Filling stations do not accept credit cards.
Obtaining visas was a drama. We have been working on it for 6 months and finally only Jan got a visa. Saudi Arabia had no tourist visas and not transit visas (anymore) for Dutch. The only option was a business visa. For every visa permission is required from Riyadh. For business visas for men a company in Saudi Arabia has to arrange an invitation from the Chamber of Commerce or permission from Foreign Affairs. The first is the simplest. A foreign company has to write a sponsorship letter. Jan got his visa in this way, costs € 140. Women always need to get permission from Foreign Affairs, which is rare. Margriet has not succeeded. There was also supposed to be an escort visa for a woman who travels with her husband. This visa is available only if the man is a partner in the company (at least registered with the Chamber of Commerce). This attempt wasn't successful either. Applications in certain countries including the Netherlands and U.A.E. have to be done through an intermediary, VFS Tasheel. Our experience is that VFS Tasheel provides a too favorable view of possibilities and gives inconsistent information. For example they twice sent us to the consulate without any success.
Arrival
Entry from U.A.E.
Total time 30 min. Superficial control Dappere Dodo.
Departure
Exit Jeddah (ferry to Suakin)
Ferry arrangement through Malik from the Emarat Group (21,4694N, 39,1838E) went very smoothly. The exit itself took almost a day. Jan had to be at the travel agency at 10:00, had to take the car to the port at noon, and had a passport check at 16:00. The ferry departed at 22:00. The car was not checked. Passport control took hours because a letter accompanying the business visa was lacking.
Carnet
Not required.
Diesel
Diesel along major roads outside towns widely available, not in cities. All normal cars run on petrol. Extremely cheap (€ 0.05 per liter of diesel).
Insurance
Covered by TourInsure. Was not asked for.
Money
ATM's available and debit card payments possible. Filling stations do not accept credit cards.
