Arriving in Saudi Arabia

At a glance

• Fingerprints and a photo are taken at immigration.
• When you come out with your luggage, scouts of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will welcome you. They will check your visa and seat you in the right vehicle.
• If you have booked private transport, get the driver’s number from your agent before departure and call the driver once you are outside. For this, buy a Saudi SIM at the airport straight away.
• If you are in Ihram, keep reciting the Talbiyah and observe the restrictions.

Step by step

1. Leaving the plane: don’t rush. Keep your hand bag and family with you and follow the crowd to immigration.
2. Immigration: queue, hand over your passport, give fingerprints and a photo. Answer the officer briefly and directly.
3. Luggage: collect your bags from your flight’s belt and match the tags. If a bag is missing, report it at the airline counter there and then, and keep the receipt.
4. Customs: bags usually pass through a scanner. Don’t bring prohibited items.
5. Saudi company transport: your transport is arranged and sent by your Saudi company, and different scouts handle different companies’ transport. Outside, show your visa to the scouts and they will take you to your company’s vehicle. This company is responsible for your transport and hotel. The Saudi company’s name is printed on your visa paper.
6. Transport: load your luggage carefully into your vehicle. The driver will keep a copy of your hotel voucher, so carry 8–10 copies of your hotel vouchers.
7. Let family know: tell your family and group WhatsApp that you have arrived safely.

Do

• Keep your passport and voucher with you at all times.
• Make sure you buy a Saudi SIM.
• Stay with your group; don’t go out alone.

Don’t

• Don’t hand your passport to anyone except immigration and boarding counter staff.
• Don’t go with an unknown taxi driver at the airport.
• Don’t take photos or videos at immigration.

Common mistakes

• Picking up a similar-looking bag without checking the tag.
• Keeping the agent’s and driver’s numbers only on the phone, then the battery dies.
• Not drinking water after the long journey.

Frequently asked questions

What if no one comes to pick me up? Don’t panic and stay calm. Your Saudi company will find you and take you, because getting you from the airport to your hotel is their responsibility. If they are late, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will take you to your hotel.

How long does immigration take? It depends on the crowd. Be patient in the queue and keep water with you.

Should I buy a SIM at the airport? Yes, it makes things much easier.