Saudi Arabia

Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST)

Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR)

Q. Are there any requirements, when sending SAR?
A. Just your details, the beneficiary details and the purpose of the payment.

Q. Can I send inbound and outbound payments?
A. Yes, there are no restrictions on sending money into or outside of Saudi Arabia.

Q. How much can I send?
A. As much as you want.

Q. How long will it take for my funds to be received?
A. Standard international payment time. Please note the working days in Saudi Arabia are from Sunday to Thursday.

Q. Who can I send SAR to?
A. Both individuals and businesses can receive funds.

Q. Is sending SAR expensive?
A. Not if you use the right currency broker, who will be able to offer you bank-beating exchange rates and significantly lower payment charges.

Q. Can you use forward contracts with SAR?
A. Yes. With the right currency broker, you can book a SAR exchange rate forward, however expert advice is strongly recommended.

Information courtesy of Currencies Direct 

Bedouin Films helps foreign production companies navigate through government bureaucracies.

Film AlUla

Saudi Film Commission (SFC)

Visas & Work Permits

Western passport holders are required to apply for a Saudi eVisa. The visa is valid for one year and allows multiple entries into the country, for stays of up to 90 days per entry but no more than 180 days per year.

Please contact a local embassy, consulate or representative for more information. Alternatively, there are specialist companies that provide visa and immigration support to the media industry who may be able to assist.

Film Location Permits

Saudi Arabia is slowly opening up to global productions.

With that said, unauthorised photography of government buildings, military installations, oil facilities and palaces is prohibited.

Any photography that may be perceived as portraying the country in an unfavourable light can be shut-down by the film police, even when in possession of a valid film location permit. This can include filming people, mosques, souks and impoverished areas.

Strict rules apply to filming of religious sites. Only Muslims can enter the holy city of Mecca.

Customs

For productions looking to bring in film equipment, Saudi Arabia is not an ATA carnet country.

Only the most basic camera, grip and lighting equipment is available locally. So, most standard equipment will need to be brought in from abroad.

When to Film

Most of Saudi Arabia has a desert climate with hot, dry days and cold nights. Coastal areas are more humid.

Summer (May to September) is very hot with almost no rainfall. Winter (November to February) has mild days and chilly nights.

Saudi Arabia is a predominately Muslim country. Ramadan is widely observed with many services closed during this period.

Public Holidays

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is expensive with costs similar to Dubai.

Since little to no filming infrastructure exists in Saudi Arabia, all key crew, equipment and talent need to be brought in from abroad.

The standard VAT rate in Saudi Arabia at the time of writing is set at 15%.

Incentives

Please see Film Saudi and the Saudi Film Commission for information on current incentives.

At the time of writing, there were no incentives listed on the attached resource Entertainment Partners' Production Incentives Map however this may be updated in the future.

At the time of writing, the UK does not have a trade agreement with this country. However, up to date information about UK trade agreements can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Saudi Arabia’s Dynamic Television & Video Market: A High-Growth Opportunity (2022)