Saudi Arabia Travel Warning
Issued by US Department of State
Feb 13, 2003
This Travel Warning is being updated to reflect that the Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia. Previously, authorization was granted only for family members. This Travel Warning supersedes that of January 30, 2003.
The Department of State alerts Americans to increased security concerns in Saudi Arabia. The Department of State has authorized the departure of family members and non-emergency personnel of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates on a voluntary basis. Private American citizens currently in Saudi Arabia should evaluate rigorously their own security situations and should consider departing, especially given decreased flight availability at a time of high demand related to school holidays and the Hajj.
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to consider carefully the increased risks of travel to Saudi Arabia. As stated in the current Public Announcement, Middle East and North Africa Update, Americans are reminded of the potential for further terrorist actions against U.S. citizens abroad, specifically in the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf.
As a result of these concerns about the reduced availability of commercial transportation during the Hajj period, on February 12, 2003, the Department of State authorized the departure, on a voluntary basis, of family members and non-emergency personnel of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia. U.S. consular personnel remain available to provide emergency information and services to American citizens.
U.S. citizens who remain in Saudi Arabia despite this Travel Warning are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, or at the Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran, and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) in order to obtain updated information on travel and security in Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is located at Collector Road M, Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter. The international mailing address is 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. The Embassy telephone number is (966) (1) 488-3800, fax (966) (1) 488-7275. Additional information may be found on the Embassy website at http://riyadh.usembassy.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, is located between Aramco Headquarters and the old Dhahran Airport at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals highway exit. The international mailing address is 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. The telephone number is (966)(3) 330-3200, fax (966) (3)(330-6816). Additional information may be found on the consulate website at http://dhahran.usconsulate.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is located on Palestine Road, Ruwais. The international mailing address is P.O. Box 149, Jeddah. Mail may also be sent via the U.S. Postal Service to: Unit 62112, APO AE 09811-2112. The telephone number is (966) (2) 667-0080, fax (966) (2) 669-3078 or 669-3098. Additional information may be found on the consulate website at http://jeddah.usconsulate.gov.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of States Consular Information Sheet for Saudi Arabia and the World Wide Caution Public Announcement, which are located on the Departments internet website at http://travel.state.gov.
