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USEFUL
INFORMATION ABOUT SAUDI ARABIA
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There
are eleven licensed commercial banks operating in
the Kingdom. These are regulated and supervised by
the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA).
The banks have a large branch network spread
throughout the Kingdom. Development of banking
services was further enhanced with the establishment
of the Saudi Payments Network (SPAN) with the
participation of all banks in the Kingdom. SPAN is
connected to 1,800 automatic teller machines (ATMs')
and more than 15,890 Points of Sales (POS) installed
at commercial stores and shopping centers with the
objective of payment for purchases from such centers
through ATM cards. At present, visitors to Saudi
Arabia may use their credit cards such as VISA &
Master Card to withdraw money directly through SPAN
via its online ATMs. They may also use these cards
at POSs for payment for their purchases.
Besides these, SAMA has provided further
international services (inside the country), eg.,
VISA's Plus Election & Cirrus Maestro to meet
the requirements of travelers and visitors both at
international airports and in local markets.
The Saudi Arabian Monetary unit is the Riyal which
is divided into 100 Halalahs. Notes are in 1, 5, 10,
20, 50, 100, 200, 500 Riyal denominations. Coins are
in 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 Halalah denominations. The
Riyal is quoted in US Dollars but is based on
Special Drawing Rights (SDR). As the SDR/Dollar rate
is revalued at intervals to keep within a narrow
band around SDR=3.75
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CLIMATE
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Saudi
Arabia is a large country and as such has local
variations in climate. Generally, the same
temperatures apply as for the Gulf States. Jeddah is
hot and humid for most of the year, with
temperatures up to 48 degrees centigrade. Still
higher temperatures are recorded in Riyadh during
the summer but less humid. The winter is more
moderate with occasional rainfall especially in the
highlands.
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All
visitors to Saudi Arabia must hold a valid passport.
Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the
United Arab Emirates do not require visas for entry
into Saudi Arabia. All other citizens require a
valid visa. There are two types of visa Entry and
Transit Exit visas are also required. For business
an entry visa is mandatory since Transit visas are
only valid for 3 days. All prospective visitors must
obtain a No Objection Certificate or letter of
invitation in the first instance, issued through a
local sponsor. Visa application should be made to
Saudi Embassies abroad. Visitors' passports should
be valid for at least three months and must be
accompanied by photographs, sponsor's NOC or letter
of invitation and a supporting letter from the
visitor's employer. Multiple re-entry visas are not
usually granted.
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INSTRUCTIONS
FOR EXPATRIATES
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All
foreign visitors and employees in Saudi Arabia when
travelling within the Kingdom are required to carry
with them the Residence Permit (Iqama) and a letter
of consent issued by their employer or sponsor
approving their travel plans, in addition to the
regular registration certificate issued by the
immigration authorities. Each foreigner must
register with his Embassy. The loss of a passport
must be reported immediately to the consulate
concerned as well as to the local police and notice
must be given in the local press. An employee is
prohibited to take up a job other than with his
sponsor. Contravening this regulation will lead to a
fine and other forms of punishment. Anyone entering
the country for Hajj, Umra or a Visit must leave the
Kingdom upon completing the purpose of his visit. |
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Adequate
medical services are available throughout the
Kingdom. Physicians from all fields of medicine are
available in Saudi Arabia for both Saudi nationals
and visitors alike. Medicines and drugs are easily
obtainable in pharmacies, but sometimes
prescriptions with generic names are needed, since
brand names in the Kingdom may differ from
elsewhere. There are many general and specialised
hospitals in the Kingdom as well as clinics,
infirmaries and private clinics offering their
services to the public. |
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Friday
is the weekly day of rest, but government offices
and banks are also closed on Thursdays. There are
also two public holidays every year; the Id al Fitr
which is over a week long and Id al-Adha which is
ten days. |
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RADIO
AND TELEVISION
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The
Saudi Ministry of Information supervises radio and
television services and broadcasts. In addition to
the main Arabic transmissions, there are radio
broadcasts in many different languages. Saudi
Television has two channels: one broadcasts solely
in Arabic, the second is in English, with a news
bulletin in French. Television transmissions reach
the entire Kingdom, and are sometimes even received
in neighbouring countries. |
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Air: |
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Air
travel often prove to be the most convenient and
practical means of transport with in the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national
carrier, operates to a wide and vast network of
Domestic and International destinations. A fleet of
various type of aircrafts operated in and outside
the Kingdom. |
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Buses: |
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An
efficient bus service of the Saudi Arabian Public
Transport Company (SAPTCO) is in operation within
the towns and between main Saudi Cities. Also in
operation are private coasters for the passenger
transport on almost all major streets and areas. |
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Hired
Cars: |
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Self-driven
cars can be hired in most towns in Saudi Arabia.
Residents of the Kingdom should hold a valid Saudi
driver's licence. Visitors should have either a
current driving licence of their country or an
International Licence. |
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Taxis: |
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Transport
within the cities is not difficult at all with
frequent taxis and limousine service that operate at
government authorized fares. |
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The
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has three large
international airports:
1.King Abdul Aziz Int'l. Airport in Jeddah
2.Kjng Khaled Int'l Airport in Riyadh
3.King Fahd Int'l Airport in Dhahran
Taxi
cab and limousine services and buses operate between
airports and city centers and hotels etc.
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Telephone
services available are:
1. Card Phone Service
2. Paper Service
3. GSM Service
4. Phonogram Service
5. Toll free (800) Free Call
6. Direct Dialling to all Countries of the world
(See International and National Dialling Codes) |
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Government
working hours in the Kingdom are generally from 7.30
AM to 2.30 PM. Private business work between 8.30 AM
to around 2.00 PM with an evening session from 4.00
or 5.00 till 8.00 PM. Banks operate Saturday to
Wednesday
8.30 AM to 12.00 Noon & 5.00 PM to 7.00 PM
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