Abdaali ji, believe me I have gone through the mill. I tell you my brown skin has not caused me one tenth the grief in my whole life here as much as I faced in that one month. Maybe it was because I could only speak english. But I was told that atleast I did not have a Pakistani Passport. Often it becomes a problem getting your b***** passport back from the employers, I am told if you have a Pakistani Passport. I did not face any problem in that regard.
We have a couple guppies who live in Saudia they are asked to provide more details. BTW here is another Saudi official link I tried no such luck.. Request Rejected
Abdali ji here is a link I found. It does not mention fingerprinting. However notice that there is no such thing as a tourist visa!! Does that say anything? It is the official saudi embassy site. And also notice the police report required when you don’t have a proper sponser.
I was right coz never have I ever heard of finger prints required for Saudi visa. Also the police clearence cerificate is for employment visa ONLY, its also done in UK. When I went there as a student I was required to register my name and address with the local police station and every time you change your address you have to inform the local police…
In US it is not a certain category of applicants that will be finger printed but ALL regardless of their purpose of their visit.
So if its good for US I am sure its good enough for all the states that will be effected by US law…
I have been resident in Saudi for a long time and have a number of American friends. I have never come aross anyone who had been fingerprinted before coming to Saudi Arabia from States and I have asked a few Americans today and it was news to them.
Intrestig move,
as PT said - tit for tat.
Same in swiss. You need to register if you wish to work, or for a C1 permit. But never for a normal 6 month visa. That is unheard of until the recent us initiative.
Also Faisal Saudi is far more developed than you think, but of course you confused Oman with Yemen, so much cant be expected.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ehsan: *
I have been resident in Saudi for a long time and have a number of American friends. I have never come aross anyone who had been fingerprinted before coming to Saudi Arabia from States and I have asked a few Americans today and it was news to them.
[/QUOTE]
Ehsan ji, I am glad your american friends were not asked for finger prints. I went on employment visa, and I had to submit fingerprints, amongst a whole load of other stuff. Obviously I wanted to go and hence I submitted them. Comparing US and SA and their security requirements is like comparing apples and oranges anyway. I remember there was extensive discussion on fingerprinting when the proposal first came out. Bottom line: Every country has a right to institute whatever policy it deems necessary for its own needs. Personally, I have no problem with if every single country would institute finger printing of Americans at their airports. As a matter of fact I wish they would. The entire database would be with the FBI or CIA anyway!
Old Lahori, is it possible that the finger-printing was something your employer required and not Saudi immigration? I have been to Saudi a number of times, and never had to go through finger-printing, but then I only went for visit and not for employment.
The security concerns of Saudi Government are of a completely different dimension than any other country (except probably Italy and Israel). Due to its unique situation and being custodians of two of the most revered holy sites, they receive a huge number of visitors all through out the year. And since they know that whether they treat them right or not, these muslims will still come in and visit, so that defines some of the rough treatment and the procedures put in place at the airports etc.
In addition, there is an impression that life is good for common people in Saudi Arabia, which works as an incentive for people from poor countries to enter Saudi Arabia on visit visas and then just disappear. And lastly being a monarchy, the government is very particular to make sure that no anti-government activity is allowed to flourish. Not only that, they also have to contain any religious sentiments which are at odds with those of the ruling family. If you remember, till mid-90's Iranian hajis would insist on taking out processions during hajj, which would infuriate the security forces.
Given the environment the Saudis work in, its no surprise that they would be very touchy on the issue of internal security. This newest move, if true, is probably an extention of their current policies.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ChannMahi: *
Good..now American companies can sell some more finger printing machines to these guys.:)
[/QUOTE]
made of taiwanese components, kinda like all ppl had made in china flags on their SUVs.
Man the net gain here is to Chinese, Us and arabs can fight all the want. Chinese are getting rich :D
Faisal, I wish I could remember at what stage I had to submit that. I know it was not at the airport. It was to the embassy here. It might have been for the police report. I do remember that the whole process took well over 6 months because a lot of documents had to be submitted (like the university transcripts etc. ) and they get approved and stamped and you get them back and then you have to use those to sumbit a whole bunch later. Police report also needed to get SA approval before it could be made part of the visa application. I think it was at that stage that I had to go get my finger prints. I still remember that I had to pay $25 for the 'previlige'. It was not as if a red carpet is laid out and you waltz into their country.
http://www.khaleejtimes.co.ae/middleeast.htm
Riyadh may fingerprint Americans
RIYADH - Saudi Arabia is expected to start finger-printing Americans entering the kingdom in response to a similar measure introduced by the United States last week, the US embassy said yesterday. “The embassy wishes to advise American citizens that in the near future the government of Saudi Arabia may start requiring American citizens to be fingerprinted as part of their visa or entry process,” the embassy said in a new warden message.
“There also is the possibility that the duration of visas to Saudi Arabia will be shortened for American citizens and visa fees increased,” the message added. New stringent US immigration checks on nationals from several Muslim countries went into effect last Tuesday.
The measures have angered Saudis who decried it as discrimination. The US embassy said the expected Saudi measures are in “response to the introduction … of the National Security Entry Exit Registration System (NSEERS).” - AFP
This is great. A prince can now buy the saudi rights to a finger printing company at get rich. Brilliant plan.
As if Americans are lining up to move to that hellhole that they will worry about finger-printing. 
kareem
obviously you forgot the americans including BUsh begging and sending there own troops for the lust of black gold in Saudi i.e OIL :nahnah:
here is a real funny thought.
US needs Saudi oil.
They buy it and pay in $s
The Saudi's take that and buy airplanes and buildings and bonds and stocks in ....the US
So now the $s got back to the US
The airplanes go to Saudi Arabia.
The buildings remain in the US
The bonds and stocks represent companies that remain in the US.
In summary US gave airplanes and got oil.
now here is the rub:
Saudis pay the US for spare parts, training and upgrades to planes.
wow!
I do not think this is fair. Americans need to topple down few buildings in Riyadh first to qualify. These guys have confused the turns.
I bet this is a ploy by the Saudis to get their hands on American women. literally.
funny nevertheless.
And need visas? 
quote:
Originally posted by IvanDrago:
kareem
obviously you forgot the americans including BUsh begging and sending there own troops for the lust of black gold in Saudi i.e OIL
And need visas?
Yes, I too would like to see them try and fingerprint our troops.