Saudi ArabiaAntarctica

What authorisation is required for Saudi Arabia passport holders visiting Antarctica?

Special travel authorization

Antarctica does not operate a conventional immigration visa system.

Your expedition operator and the relevant national authority determine any notification, permit, or other authorization needed for the planned activity. Do not rely on a passport alone.

Source: Antarctic Treaty Secretariat: national competent authorities.

RequirementSpecial travel authorization

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia that occupies the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula. Covering a land area of approximately 2,149,690 km2 (830,000 sq mi), it is the fifth-largest country in Asia and the twelfth-largest in the world. It is bordered by the Red Sea to the west, Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait to the north, the Persian Gulf, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast, and Yemen to the south. The Gulf of Aqaba in the northwest separates it from Egypt and Israel. Riyadh is the capital and largest city, while other major centers include Jeddah and the two holiest cities in Islam, Mecca and Medina.

CapitalRiyadh

RegionWestern Asia

Population37M

Area2,149,690 km²

CurrencySaudi riyal (1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR)

LanguagesArabic

Calling code+966

Drives on theright

TimezoneRiyadh (UTC+3)

Nearest airportKing Khalid International Airport (RUH), 31 km

Emergency number112 / 911 / 999

UNESCO sites8

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$34,537 (2025)

Tourist arrivals20.3M (2019)

Climate in Riyadh

Warmest July, coolest January, driest May, sunniest August. Best time to visit: March, October.

Monthly climate normals for Riyadh, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	19.5°C	7.5°C	16mm	299h
February	24.3°C	11°C	2mm	279h
March	27.9°C	15.1°C	1mm	324h
April	33°C	20.8°C	10mm	312h
May	38.3°C	24.9°C	0mm	348h
June	41.9°C	28.3°C	0mm	360h
July	43.6°C	31.1°C	0mm	359h
August	41.9°C	28.9°C	0mm	364h
September	39.7°C	26°C	0mm	326h
October	32.6°C	19°C	0mm	341h
November	28.2°C	16°C	5mm	301h
December	21.6°C	10.3°C	4mm	301h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Saudi Arabia is the quintessential Arab kingdom. Vast deserts, scorching heat, immense oil wealth, camel races, glitzy shopping malls, traditional souq markets, you can find every Arabian cliche you can think of and then some here. A deeply conservative country that was entirely closed off to (non-pilgrimage) tourism for decades, the government did a drastic policy U-turn in 2019 and has been trying to open up the country to the world and shed the country's straight-laced image, with mixed success.

Full source list on About.