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Introduction:

Occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia is the third-largest country in the Middle East by land area. Bordered by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba to the west and the Persian Gulf to the east, it shares borders with Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman and Yemen. Saudi Arabia contains the world’s largest continuous sand desert, the Rub Al-Khali, or Empty Quarter. The country is famous for its large oil reserves and it is the largest exporter of oil in the world.

Education in Saudi Arabia:

There are plenty of opportunities for international students and researchers. The higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia are internationally oriented and offer a large selection of programmes. The country’s higher education has witnessed a massive increase in enrollment over the last three decades, one of the largest increases in the developed world. The cost of higher education is an important factor that needs to be mentioned, as tuition fees in Saudi Arabia are low as compared to similar quality higher education courses anywhere else in the world.

Culture of Saudi Arabia:

The cultural setting of Saudi Arabia is Arab and Muslim, and features many elements from historical ritual and folk culture such as dance and music. Many proscriptions of behavior and dress are enforced. The overwhelming majority of Saudi Arabians are Arabs descended from the indigenous tribes and still today maintain their tribal affiliations. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an Islamic theocratic monarchy in which Islam is the official religion, with the law requiring that all Saudi citizens be Muslims.

Climate of Saudi Arabia:

The Saudi Arabian Climate can be characterized as a desert climate, with wide fluctuations in day and night temperature. A point to keep in mind about the geography of Saudi Arabia is that while the country predominantly has a desert climate, the coastal regions show a different climate as compared to the rest of the country. Saudi Arabia has a dry climate with high temperatures in most of the country, especially in the central area and the north, the temperatures can be very high. During the winter, the temperatures are moderate in general, but turning cold at night sometimes descending below freezing especially in mountainous areas of the west and along the northern border.

Advantages of Saudi Arabia:

While staying in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, you must always keep in mind that this is a Muslim country. As such, its laws reflect the tenets of the Muslim religion. The Saudis are dignified and hospitable people. There are no major risk or health problems for anyone who is fit on arrival and takes the usual precautions necessary in any hot climate.

Visa Procedures to Saudi Arabia:

Student visa for Saudi Arabia may not be required depending on the length of study and nationality of the student.

The following may be required at the time of submitting the application form:

• Completed application form
• Four passport-size photos
• Valid passport (For a minimum of 180 days prior to your arrival in Saudi Arabia)
• Return travel tickets or itinerary and proof of payment for tickets. Proof of purpose of visit
• Evidence of sufficient funds for stay
• Proof of attendance at educational institute
• Medical certificate from physician
• Police clearance certificates (for any countries of residence during the previous 5 years)