Travel with MENA question

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Along the same lines, to get into Saudi Arabia do you just have to have the proof that you are a Muslim or do you also have to be invited by someone who lives there?

Most Americans need a visa to visit Saudia (unless they're military or government officials.) You do not have to be Muslim; however, certain constraints apply. You don't necessarily have to be "invited," as Saudia now allows tourist visas. There are also special permits for Muslim pilgrims coming for the Hajj.

I found this on the net -- read it in full for further specifics:

Who requires a visa?

Required by all except the following:

(a) nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates;

(B) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 18 hours, provided holding valid onward or return documentation, not leaving the airport and making no further landing in Saudi Arabia, except nationals of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria who always require a transit visa.

© holders of re-entry permits and ‘Landing Permits’ issued by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (see Contact Addresses section).

Restricted entry: (a) Holders of an Israeli passport or passports with Israeli stamps in them. (B) Passengers not complying with Saudi conventions of dress and behaviour, including those who appear to be in a state of intoxication, will be refused entry (see Social Conventions section). There are special regulations concerning pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia. Contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for further information.

http://www.learn4good.com/travel/saudi_arabia_visa.htm

My husband's parents are there right now (his sister lives in Saudia.)

I don't know how those smilie faces got formatted into this -- not a part of the original website !

Edited October 18, 2006 by wife_of_mahmoud

[doodlebug 3]

Along the same lines, to get into Saudi Arabia do you just have to have the proof that you are a Muslim or do you also have to be invited by someone who lives there?

Most Americans need a visa to visit Saudia (unless they're military or government officials.) You do not have to be Muslim; however, certain constraints apply. You don't necessarily have to be "invited," as Saudia now allows tourist visas. There are also special permits for Muslim pilgrims coming for the Hajj.

I found this on the net -- read it in full for further specifics:

Who requires a visa?

Required by all except the following:

(a) nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates;

(B) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 18 hours, provided holding valid onward or return documentation, not leaving the airport and making no further landing in Saudi Arabia, except nationals of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria who always require a transit visa.

© holders of re-entry permits and ‘Landing Permits’ issued by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (see Contact Addresses section).

Restricted entry: (a) Holders of an Israeli passport or passports with Israeli stamps in them. (B) Passengers not complying with Saudi conventions of dress and behaviour, including those who appear to be in a state of intoxication, will be refused entry (see Social Conventions section). There are special regulations concerning pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia. Contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for further information.

http://www.learn4good.com/travel/saudi_arabia_visa.htm

My husband's parents are there right now (his sister lives in Saudia.)

I don't know how those smilie faces got formatted into this -- not a part of the original website !

Thanks! Yeah specifically I was thinking of the Hajj. Didn't know they now accept tourist visas though so that's cool!

[hollyw 0]

also if you plan to live (for anytime) in Algerie you would to gain residency via marriage or work.

So, does this mean you would have to get married in Algeria or just be married to an Algerian citizen?

ye nothing happens "normally" here...it is who you know and how many dinars in your pocket.

Hahaha, this reminds me of when my husband and I were flying back and forth from Algiers to Oran... to do our DCF. On our way back the first time we were a little early and wanted to get on and earlier flight but there were TONS and TONS of people ahead of us, all basically killing each other to get in standby for the next flight. Well, my husband is in the middle of it all and I'm just watching, and all of a sudden I see him emerge with a police officer and they GRAN me and we run through everything... security checkpoint, customs, everything. We didn't fill out any forms, we didn't put our bags through any xray machines, not one person talked to us an all of a sudden we are on the bus taking us to the airplane. And I'm just standing there like.... WHAT?!?! Turns out my husband's friend who's father is a general in the army called and said he would get us on the airplane. And voila.. he did! It was like magic.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Hajj and Umrah visas are usually fairly easy to get if you're an american. But I was talking with Tamer last night, and he said that only Egyptians over 40 can get one. He thinks that if he applies from america, it might be possible for him to get one earlier though, inshaAllah. Otherwise, we'll just wait until 2009, when (if) he applies for his american citizenship.

If you go through a reputable travel agency, they can usually point you to the right forms.

Also, for any converts wanting to make hajj or umrah, they may require that you submit proof of your conversion. If anyone is in Egypt, Al Azhar University will provide you will an official certificate. Otherwise, ask around at local masjids or maybe contact the Saudi Embassy or the Islamic Center in DC about a certificate or how to authenticate your conversion up to their standards.

[Henia 11]

Along the same lines, to get into Saudi Arabia do you just have to have the proof that you are a Muslim or do you also have to be invited by someone who lives there?

Well of course you have to prove you are a Muslim. Either you were born into a Muslim family, so your roots are tracable (islamic name, muslim country birth,etc) but if you are converted to Islam, an Islamic certificate must be presented.These are usually obtained from an Islamic Center you attend or converted in.Conversion is somewhat hard to prove, since Muslims have no legal way to convert like Christians do...I mean no ledger to sign. The masjid I converted in issued me a certificate saying my name, birthdate, date of taking the shahada, witness signatures and the Imaan's signature. have heard about Non-muslims reporters going to Mecca, lying saying they are Muslim...(but I did read this on the net, so I donnot give it much weight) I will ask my husband for some more info on Saudi laws, Hajj/Umra inchallah. He went to umra 3 times...

On slightly seperate note: All ladies are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram(male blood relative or husband). Proof of kinship must be submitted with the application form. Any lady over the age of 45 may travel without a Mahram with an organized group (provided she submits a letter of no objection from her husband, son or brother authorizing her to travel for Hajj with the named group)

The Mahram should write his complete information on the application forms of his spouse and children or any relative with whom he is traveling. He should also provide copies of marriage or birth certificates.Note: everything has to be notarized and translated by a certified translation office. You also have to have in your hand a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with confirmed reservations and also proof of vaccinations.

Upon arrival you have to hand your passport to the custody of the "Unified Agents Office" representatives to enable the latter to complete all travel formalities to Makkah and Madinah.

Also you must leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after Hajj no later than the 10th of Muharram of each year.

Hope that answer your question, but inchallah as I said I am going to ask my husband more about this.

Along the same lines, to get into Saudi Arabia do you just have to have the proof that you are a Muslim or do you also have to be invited by someone who lives there?

Most Americans need a visa to visit Saudia (unless they're military or government officials.) You do not have to be Muslim; however, certain constraints apply. You don't necessarily have to be "invited," as Saudia now allows tourist visas. There are also special permits for Muslim pilgrims coming for the Hajj.

I found this on the net -- read it in full for further specifics:

Who requires a visa?

Required by all except the following:

(a) nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates;

( B) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 18 hours, provided holding valid onward or return documentation, not leaving the airport and making no further landing in Saudi Arabia, except nationals of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria who always require a transit visa.

© holders of re-entry permits and 'Landing Permits' issued by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (see Contact Addresses section).

Restricted entry: (a) Holders of an Israeli passport or passports with Israeli stamps in them. ( B) Passengers not complying with Saudi conventions of dress and behaviour, including those who appear to be in a state of intoxication, will be refused entry (see Social Conventions section). There are special regulations concerning pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia. Contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for further information.

http://www.learn4good.com/travel/saudi_arabia_visa.htm

My husband's parents are there right now (his sister lives in Saudia.)

I don't know how those smilie faces got formatted into this -- not a part of the original website !

Hmmm I guess I misunderstood the question...I thought Doodle was talking about requirement to be Muslim for making Hajj and Umra...not general enterance into SA. Ooops sorry!

also if you plan to live (for anytime) in Algerie you would to gain residency via marriage or work.

So, does this mean you would have to get married in Algeria or just be married to an Algerian citizen?

No, as far as I know residency in Algerie is gained by marriage or work... but I could be wrong so donnot quote me But the officer gave me that *impression*....

ye nothing happens "normally" here...it is who you know and how many dinars in your pocket.

Hahaha, this reminds me of when my husband and I were flying back and forth from Algiers to Oran... to do our DCF. On our way back the first time we were a little early and wanted to get on and earlier flight but there were TONS and TONS of people ahead of us, all basically killing each other to get in standby for the next flight. Well, my husband is in the middle of it all and I'm just watching, and all of a sudden I see him emerge with a police officer and they GRAN me and we run through everything... security checkpoint, customs, everything. We didn't fill out any forms, we didn't put our bags through any xray machines, not one person talked to us an all of a sudden we are on the bus taking us to the airplane. And I'm just standing there like.... WHAT?!?! Turns out my husband's friend who's father is a general in the army called and said he would get us on the airplane. And voila.. he did! It was like magic.

Ye thats the Algerien way... Money !!! Money!!! Money!!! Can you believe the officer asked my husband to bring him a computer from his work?

[UmmSqueakster 54]

have heard about Non-muslims reporters going to Mecca, lying saying they are Muslim...(but I did read this on the net, so I donnot give it much weight) I will ask my husband for some more info on Saudi laws, Hajj/Umra inchallah. He went to umra 3 times...

It's actually not something new. One of my favorite books is One Thousand Roads to Mecca, a book of Hajj narratives. Several of the narratives are from explorers who snuck in, or from other non muslims who wound up in Mecca.

[Veiled Princess 1]

Libya issues no visas for tourtists (the few that are issued are for family members of nationals)

This is not 100% accurate. One can get a tourist visa to Libya now but it has to be arranged through an approved tour company. You have to stay with the tour group and stick to the agenda.

There were lots of tourists over there from all over the world (including the US) for the eclipse this year

[doodlebug 3]

I was thinking of Hajj but I didn't originally write it down so you read my mind Henia. lol

[Henia 11]

have heard about Non-muslims reporters going to Mecca, lying saying they are Muslim...(but I did read this on the net, so I donnot give it much weight) I will ask my husband for some more info on Saudi laws, Hajj/Umra inchallah. He went to umra 3 times...

It's actually not something new. One of my favorite books is One Thousand Roads to Mecca, a book of Hajj narratives. Several of the narratives are from explorers who snuck in, or from other non muslims who wound up in Mecca.

Hmm astagfurullah for people lying...but inchallah they did some of Allah's *light* while there ...I will check that book out Rahma! Saha...Jazak Allah Kheiran sis!

I was thinking of Hajj but I didn't originally write it down so you read my mind Henia. lol

Well I was thinking Hajj...maybe cos that is the only reason I would go there. Not saying it is bad there...one of my good friends lived there for 8 years...she lives now in Vancouver and is wishing daily to return...

[rclouse 0]

This link off of Delta's site has everything you need to know about visas for international travel for pretty much anybody.

[Henia 11]

This link off of Delta's site has everything you need to know about visas for international travel for pretty much anybody.

thanks I am sure that will be helpful for everyone, including me

[Veiled Princess 1]

This link off of Delta's site has everything you need to know about visas for international travel for pretty much anybody.

rclouse,

this is off topic BUT is that a jet plane humping a star trek space ship in your avatar???

[rclouse 0]

This link off of Delta's site has everything you need to know about visas for international travel for pretty much anybody.

rclouse,

this is off topic BUT is that a jet plane humping a star trek space ship in your avatar???

It's the Millenium Falcon humping the Starship Enterprise. It was an entry in an animated Photoshop contest and it just struck me funny.

[Veiled Princess 1]

It's the Millenium Falcon humping the Starship Enterprise. It was an entry in an animated Photoshop contest and it just struck me funny.

I would have never noticed that if my husband didn't ask me... "Habibity??? Why is there two small things humping each other in your inbox????? "

Ana asfah ya habibi

[jpaula 20]

Henia, I'd be really curious to know what you've found out about this... are you trying to get your Algerian residency right now? What step do you have to go through to get it?

My husband and I have talked about this because we plan on visiting his family at least once a year and it'll be a pain in the @ss if I have to get a visa each time we would like to go. I'm assuming I'm out of luck because I know that we will never actually LIVE there, but I would really like to know what you've found out about the residency requirements.

I got my residency fairly easily. We had to get our marriage registered and recognized there first. From there it is pretty standard. Lots of papers with stamps from various people. Copies of these papers with stamps to other people, repeat several times...wait and...voila. We were living there at the time, but nothing in the paperwork seemed to require it. So long as you have a local address?

But, for traveling I do not think that Algerian residency gets you access to other countries. Visas are usually granted (or not) based on citizenship not residency. My experience trying to travel with my husband is that a US passport allows you to travel within NA more easily than does an Algerian. Go figure. I could get an Egyptian visa on the spot at the Embassy, but they had to send my husband's app to Cairo so it took a few weeks to get it. Maroc is no problem for either of you and is an easy trip. Tunisia, too.

Curios to know what you find.

Go to Maroc!!! Easy, right next door and really wonderful.