Is Saudi Arabia safe for women? Can a woman travel alone to Saudi Arabia? The largest country in the Middle East, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a misunderstood destination. More than misunderstood, it would be safer to say mysterious, especially the women’s lifestyle. When you search online for women in Saudi Arabia, there are mixed responses on how they live. Tourists hadn’t crossed KSA’s borders before 2019. In the last few years, Saudi Arabia has reformed its image as a tourist-friendly destination. But, still, it has a long way to go. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country, so the local culture and customs are highly influenced by Islamic traditions, including women’s rights.
Saudi Arabia is changing and how — the first woman Deputy Secretary-General of the Saudi cabinet was appointed in 2022, followed by the selection of the first chairwoman of the Saudi Human Rights Commission and the first woman to travel into space. Travelers are performing exhaustive research on what the country is all about. Should one take a holiday here? Well, a journey to Saudi Arabia is filled with rich historical experiences across dreamy landscapes. There is a unique blend of cosmopolitan and traditional skyscrapers.
If you also have several preconceived thoughts and ideas about how women are treated in Saudi Arabia, this guide will clear all your confusion:
A. Recent Initiatives by Saudi Arabia for Women
In the past years, under Mohammed Bin Salman’s futuristic vision, there has been an advent of laws that embrace feminine power with more grace. Some of the remarkable changes that women in Saudi Arabia can experience are:
- Saudi Arabia brought a remarkable reformation in June 2022. Women, irrespective of their status of being single, divorced, or widowed, can live independently in their homes without permission from any male guardian.
- In the next month of the same year, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah proposed a law under which women are allowed to go on the pilgrimage without any male company.
- Saudi Arabia’s women’s national football team was a dream until King Salman took the throne in 2015. As women were allowed to partake in football in 2017, things gradually escalated with the launch of the Saudi Women’s Football League in 2020.
- From software development to space and taxis, Saudi female workforce participation rose to a whopping 33.6 percent.
B. Saudi Visa for Solo Women Travelers
Till now, you would have realized that Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to solo female travelers. But how do you apply for a Saudi Arabia visa? The entry requirements of Saudi Arabia for a female traveler are a lot different and more demanding than other nations. If you are applying for a Saudi visa from Dubai, the requirements vary depending on your nationality. While UAE citizens are allowed visa-free entry, foreign residents have to follow a complete procedure. You can also check the Saudi visa status online. Once your visa is approved and you reach the Saudi airport, your visa, passport, and fingerprints are checked and scanned.
C. Women’s Saudi Arabia Rights
Saudi Arabia’s female laws are the most misunderstood in the world. King Salman has become the spearhead of women’s rights reforms since 2017. The rights of females in the Kingdom related to marriage, career, divorce, and lifestyle are controversial. Several women’s movements have found them rather repressive. Here are the common myths about Saudi Arabia women:
1. Females can’t travel alone.
One of the biggest lies floating around the market is that women cannot travel to KSA alone. Times have changed, and women can travel to Saudi Arabia alone, without any guardian.
2. Women cannot roam with strangers men.
You might have heard that a woman cannot hang out or walk around with unrelatable men. That’s not the truth. One can easily wander and dine in a group of males and females. Tourists can mingle with locals. However, some Saudi restaurants still follow the old protocol of separate men’s and women’s areas. So, be aware.
3. Unmarried couples cannot stay together.
As Saudi Arabia is undergoing a dramatic shift towards tourism, there is another eye-catching law that has changed. Now, married or unmarried women can share a room in a hotel or preferred accommodation.
4. Female tourists need to wear an abaya.
No, not always. As the local women are always seen in an abaya, a long loose garment that covers their hair, there is a common delusion that the foreigners have to wear it too. In 2018, the crown prince relaxed the dress code, and the abaya is no longer a compulsion. Although the country has a conservative dress code, the abaya is not a compulsory attire. One must wear modest and fully-covered clothes.
5. Solo females cannot rent a car
Again, this is not true. If you have a valid driving license, you can rent and drive a car through the lanes of Saudi Arabia.
6. Locals are strict, and the environment is not safe.
Many female tourists are conscious of the people in Saudi Arabia. There is a common notion that it’s not safe to walk around solo. You will love to know that KSA is one of the most hospitable countries in the world. Even if people approach you, there is a friendly curiosity and concern; Locals are warm and wholehearted.
7. Women Saudi Arabia Dress Code
Women in KSA dress up in a traditional (or conservative) way. As a women’s tourist, you can wear loose t-shirts, full-sleeved shirts, pants, track pants, long skirts, cargo, and jeans. A burqa or scarf is not a mandatory piece of clothing. You might invite unwanted attention for not covering your head, but remember, this is not the law. It is important to dress as closely as possible when going to religious places. In the city, you can wander in modest clothing of any color or pattern. While some traditionalists still opt for black abayas, women with a modern approach can be found donning business, attirYou can even swimwear at the private beaches. So, it’s not that bad.
8. Woman Saudi Arabia Driving
On 26 September 2017, Saudi Arabia saw the groundbreaking reformation by King Salman. The government lifted the ban on women driving, symbolizing a significant shift in societal norms and women’s rights. This is a brilliant step taken towards women’s empowerment. Under this vision, licenses were issued, driving schools for women were established, and female participation in the workforce increased.
D. Women’s Safety Tips in Saudi Arabia
- First thing: bravo on traveling solo. However, it’s unavoidable that you use your common sense. Stay alert and vigilant in all areas, including remote areas, as it’s a new place.
- It is good to follow the dress code and blend into the crowd. This will help you enjoy the trip in convenience.
- Choose hotels that have strict safety entrances and facilities. There are numerous multi-star, luxurious resorts.
- Keep emergency numbers handy.
- Learn about the Saudi public holidays to plan your trip well.
- Stack the copies of your documents to have a safe travel.
FAQs
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Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is not as orthodox as people have assumed it to be. It is a safe and modern country with umpteen things to do. So, if you are a solo woman traveling to Saudi Arabia, this guide would help you understand the nitty-gritty of your journey.
A travel influencer, adventurer and blogger on a mision to dicover the hidden gems of this beautiful planet. For me traveling isn’t a hobby, but a way of living.
