Saudi Arabia Travel Warning

February 18, 2010

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the securitysituation in Saudi Arabia and reminds U.S. citizens of recommendedsecurity precautions.  The Department of State urges U.S. citizens toconsider carefully the risks of traveling to Saudi Arabia.  There isan ongoing security threat due to the continued presence of terroristgroups, some affiliated with al Qaida, who may target Westerninterests, housing compounds, hotels, shopping areas and otherfacilities where Westerners congregate.  These terrorist groups mayemploy a wide variety of tactics and also may target Saudi Governmentfacilities and economic/commercial targets within the Kingdom.  Thisupdates and replaces the Travel Warning issued June 26, 2009, to notethe authorized return of U.S. government dependents to the U.S.Embassy in Riyadh.

The last major terrorist attack directed against the civilianpopulation was an attack against French nationals in 2007.Significant improvements in the capacity and capability of Saudisecurity and intelligence forces have greatly improved the securityenvironment.  Although much improved, the improvements remain fragileand reversible.

The Department of State has authorized the return of all familymembers to U.S. Embassy Riyadh.  The U.S. Consulate General Jeddahremains an unaccompanied post.  While these changes reflect thecontinued improvement in the security climate in Saudi Arabia,particularly in the Eastern Province and Riyadh, it is important tonote that there remains an ongoing security threat due to thecontinued presence of terrorist groups, some affiliated with al Qaida,who may target Western interests, housing compounds, hotels, shoppingareas and other facilities where Westerners congregate.  Theseterrorist groups may employ a wide variety of tactics and also maytarget Saudi Government facilities and economic/commercial targetswithin the Kingdom.

U.S. citizens who choose to visit Saudi Arabia are strongly urged toavoid staying in hotels or housing compounds that do not applystringent security measures and also are advised to be aware of theirsurroundings when visiting commercial establishments frequented byWesterners.  U.S. citizens also are advised to keep a low profile,vary times and routes of travel, exercise caution while driving,entering or exiting vehicles, and ensure that travel documents andvisas are current and valid.

From time to time, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia mayrestrict travel of official Americans or suspend public services forsecurity reasons.  Whenever threat information is specific, credible,and non-counterable, this threat information will be made available tothe American public.  In those instances, the Embassy and Consulateswill keep the local American citizen community apprised through theWarden system and make every effort to provide emergency services toU.S. citizens.  Warden messages can be found on the U.S. EmbassyRiyadh website.  

All travelers are encouraged to register their trip online through theDepartment of State's Internet Based Registration Service. Updatedinformation on travel and security in Saudi Arabia may be obtainedfrom the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within theUnited States and Canada or, from outside the United States and Canadaon a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are availablefrom 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (exceptU.S. federal holidays.)  For additional information, consult theDepartment of State's Country Specific Information for Saudi Arabia,and Worldwide Caution.  U.S. citizens who require emergency servicesmay telephone the Embassy in Riyadh at (966) (1) 488-3800, theConsulate in Jeddah at (966) (2) 667-0080, or the Consulate in Dhahranat (966) (3) 330-3200.   

See http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html for State Department Travel Warnings