So my house is a mess of packed boxes. I have a ticket to leave very early Saturday morning. What could go wrong?
The Saudis refuse to issue me an exit-only visa. Although I sold my car almost two weeks ago, the transfer is not yet on their computers. Further, since we have a Thursday-Friday weekend, I cannot do much about it until Saturday.
So I am stuck. How … what is the word? Awkward, yes how awkward.
Why would you even want to leave such a Garden of Eden? 
There is only one thing to do, contact the President of the United States. He will dispatch a Navy Seal team to extract you post haste.
My pay was cut by a quarter.
Wait, you need an “exit-only visa” to leave? I thought visas were for entry into a country.
Genuine question. I’m not trying to be a wiseass or nuthin’. I’ve never had to do that in my travels yet. . .
Tripler
But yeah, “awkward” is the word.
Insha Allah.
A passport is permission for you to leave your own country. A visa is permission to enter another country. Saudi Arabia requires a visa both to enter and leave. The old Soviet Union used to do this too. I know of no other country that still does this.
Good solid Tory government.
Just relax, go with the flow.
Maybe Tom Hanks will make a movie out of this.
6,600 riyal down the toilet.
How many gallons of gas does that quarter buy you in Saudi?
(har, har, har)
Seriously, that sucks.
Gasoline here is US$ 0.65/gallon.
Uh… They don’t let you get out if you haven’t sold your car…? O.o
That… Is bizarre to say the LEAST.
What is the rationale for such a strange rule?
Uh… huh…
They did tell you what it’s going for over here right?
I have never heard of such a bizarre thing. How can they prevent you from leaving if you haven’t been accused of a crime? Can the US Embassy help?
Trying to piece together your posts–you told me once that you expected to be there for a while yet; is this early departure due to your pay cut?
And the most important question of all–are you going to change your username when you get back stateside?
:eek:
US embassy do not exist to help Americans abroad. They are here to promote US policies. If you want help from an embassy you have to be British or Israeli. Local law is a matter for the local authorities. American women married to Saudis who are held prisoner here can get no help.
In a word, yep.
Undecided as of yet.
You’re leaving the country over a measly 25 cents?
Seriously, good luck and hang in there.
That pretty well sucks.
The Russian Federation still does this. Cite.
No travel insurance?
I normally do not use it, but when I had a critical trip coming up and there was even the remotest possibilities for a late cancellation, I got it.