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Department of State urges U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of traveling to Saudi Arabia. As the August 26, 2012, arrest of two terrorist cells by Saudi security authorities indicates, there remains an ongoing security threat due to the continued presence of terrorist groups, some affiliated with al-Qaida, who may target Western interests, housing compounds, hotels, shopping areas, and other facilities where Westerners congregate. These terrorist groups may employ a wide variety of tactics, including small-scale attacks, and may target Saudi government facilities and economic/commercial targets within the Kingdom. This replaces the Travel Warning issued May 18, 2012, to update information on the current security situation in Saudi Arabia and the continuing threat posed by terrorism, and to reiterate recommendations on security awareness.

While the Saudi government has greatly improved the security environment throughout the Kingdom since the major terrorist attack against foreign nationals in 2007, it is important to note that an ongoing security threat remains. U.S. citizens who visit Saudi Arabia are strongly encouraged to carefully select hotels or housing compounds with security measures in place that meet their particular needs. This is a personal and individual decision for the traveler and/or sponsor. In addition, given that terrorists may seek predictable targets, U.S. citizens should always be aware of their surroundings when traveling or visiting commercial establishments frequented by Westerners. U.S. citizens are also 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 and visas are current and valid.

If the security threat changes or specific threats affecting U.S. citizens are discovered, this information will be made available through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)and U.S. Mission websites. Emergency Messages, Security Messages, and Messages for U.S. Citizens can be found on theU.S. Embassy Riyadh website.

The Department of State encourages U.S. citizens living overseas or planning to travel abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly with the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulates in Dhahran or Jeddah.  

U.S. Embassy Riyadh
International mailing address:

P.O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
Mail may also be sent via the U.S. Postal Service to:

U.S. Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307
Telephone: (966) (1) 488-3800
Fax: (966) (1) 483-0773

Emergency after-hours telephone: (966) (1) 488-3800

U.S. Consulate General Dhahran
International mailing address:

P.O. Box 38955, Doha-Dhahran 31942
Mail may also be sent via the U.S. Postal Service to:

Unit 66803, APO AE 09858-6803
Telephone: (966) (3) 330-3200
Fax: (966) (3) 330-0464

Emergency after-hours telephone: (966) (3) 330-3200, x3004

U.S. Consulate General Jeddah
International mailing address: P.O. Box 149, Jeddah.
Mail may also be sent via the U.S. Postal Service to:

Unit 62112, APO AE 09811-2112
Telephone: (966) (2) 667-0080
Fax: (966) (2) 669-3078 or 669-3098

Emergency after-hours telephone: (966) (2) 667-0080

Up-to-date information on travel and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers from other countries, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). 

Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alertsas well as the Worldwide Caution. You can also download our free Smart Traveler Appavailable throughiTunesand theAndroid marketto have travel information at your fingertips. Follow us on Twitterand the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebookas well.