New to Saudi Arabia
If you have recently moved to the region, you may wish to meet with other Irish citizens who are part of a local organisation or business network that can provide you with general advice, information and guidance.
Travel Advice for Saudi Arabia
If you are travelling to Saudi Arabia, our travel advice and updates gives you practical tips and useful information.
Entry to Saudi Arabia
Irish citizens require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and should contact the nearest Embassy of Saudi Arabia for further information on the process.
Tourist eVisa: You can obtain a tourist visa online. For further information see here.
You should not overstay your visa. Breaches of the period of stay will incur fines and possible future travel bans.
Pilgrimage: Muslim tourists can apply for a visa to perform Umrah. A specific visa is required to perform Hajj. See Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Work visas: Nearly all Irish citizens working in Saudi Arabia are guest workers, under the sponsorship of their employer. It is the responsibility of the sponsor to obtain work and residence permits /visas for the employee and any of their family members, and must give permission before the employee is allowed to leave the country.
Living and working in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a welcoming and hospitable country with many unique traditions. Islam pervades all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia and is the official religion of the country.
While the private practice of religion is allowed, the public display of non-Islamic religious articles such as crosses and Bibles is not permitted. Irish nationals in the Kingdom who maintain a respect for local customs can expect a rewarding and enriching experience.
Nearly all Irish citizens working in Saudi Arabia are guest workers, under the sponsorship of their employer. It is the responsibility of the sponsor to obtain work and residence permits for the employee and any of their family members, and must give permission before the employee is allowed to leave the country.
To change employers in Saudi Arabia may require the permission of the previous employer, which is discretionary. Any dispute with a sponsor is adjudicated according to Saudi law. In such disputes the Embassy can provide a list of local lawyers and request fair treatment according to Saudi law, but it cannot interfere with the legal process.
The website of the Saudi Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development Labour is currently developing a website in English to provides information in English for expatriate workers: Home | Labor Education (mlsd.gov.sa). There are also a number of expatriate web forums which Irish citizens may find useful.
Travel bans and legal disputes
The Saudi authorities may place a travel ban on individuals involved in ongoing commercial disputes, legal cases or investigations, or who have outstanding debts.
Private Saudi citizens may also initiate travel bans against foreign citizens for various reasons.
When placed under a travel ban, you cannot exit the country, even if you are an Irish citizen or a dual Irish-Saudi citizen. Travel bans are rigidly enforced and can take years to resolve. Only Saudi Arabian authorities and sponsors can remove travel bans.
The Saudi Arabian government may issue travel bans on people who are/have:
- charged with criminal offenses;
- under investigation;
- involved in financial or labour disputes;
- failed to report to work according to the terms of the contract (absconded);
- unpaid debts or who have passed bad cheques.
The list above is not exhaustive.
Based on our Consular Assistance Charter, the Embassy cannot provide legal advice or interfere in judicial processes or deal with commercial disputes, but we can provide a list of English speaking lawyers in Saudi Arabia whom you can contact for legal advice.
Irish Societies
There are a number of Irish Societies active in the region.
Irish Societies in Riyadh regularly host events at the Embassy. The Embassy is not involved in organising tickets for such events. You will need to contact and register with the relevant Irish society to buy tickets from them directly.
| Name | Activity | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh GAA: Naomh Alee |
Gaelic games for women, men and children of all nationalities including beginners. |
Email: naleegaa@gmail.com Instagram: @naomhalee Facebook: Naomh Alee Riyadh GAA Twitter: @NaomhAleeRiyadh |
| Riyadh Irish Society |
Promotion of Irish culture and fund raising for charities |
Email: riyadhirishsocietyksa@gmail.com |
| Irish Business Network |
Supports Irish businesses and Irish business professionals in their entry, development and growth in the Saudi market. |
Email: admin@ibnsa.org Website: Irish Business Network Saudi Arabia (ibnsa.org) |
| Jeddah GAA: Jeddah Gaels |
Gaelic games for men, women and children of all nationalities including beginners. |
Email: JeddahGaels@outlook.com |
| Name | Activity | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain GAA: Arabian Celts |
Gaelic games for women, men and children of all nationalities including beginners. |
Email: arabiancelts.pro@gmail.com Instagram: @arabiancelts Facebook: Arabian Celts GAA |
| Bahrain Irish Society |
Promotion of Irish culture and fund raising for charities |
Email: membership@bahrainirishsociety.com Website: bahrainirishsociety.com Facebook: Bahrain Irish Society |
| Name | Activity | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Oman GAA: Clann na hOman |
Gaelic games for women, men and children of all nationalities including beginners. |
Email: secretary.clannnahoman.middleeast@gaa.ie Instagram: @clann_oman_gaa Facebook: GAA Oman Twitter: @GAA_Oman |
| Oman Irish Society |
Promotion of Irish culture and fund raising for charities |
Email: irishinoman@gmail.com Instagram: @oman_irish_society Facebook page: Oman Irish Society |
Maintain a reasonable level of security
In view of security incidents in recent years, Irish citizens in Saudi Arabia are reminded of the importance of maintaining a reasonable level of personal security at all times.
In this respect, it is advisable to keep an eye on the Department’s Travel Advice for Saudi Arabia, which is updated regularly.
You may also wish to register your contact details with the Embassy and via our Citizen's Registration system.