Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Kabul, Afghanistan; address Shash Darak, Main Street, Behind the International Peacekeeping Forces (ISAF), Kabul; phone…
Head of mission: Mr. Jassim Bin Mohammed Al-Khalidi, Ambassador (as of 2018)
Saudi Arabia is increasingly attractive to visitors from Afghanistan due to its rich cultural heritage and important religious sites. The country is actively investing in tourism infrastructure as part of its strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil, making it a more appealing and varied destination for a segment of Afghanistan's 40 million population.
Saudi Arabia is generally considered safer for tourists compared to Afghanistan. According to the Global Peace Index, Saudi Arabia ranks 100th out of 160 countries, while Afghanistan ranks 157th. The murder rate in Saudi Arabia is significantly lower at 0.8 per 100,000 people, compared to Afghanistan's rate of 4.0. In terms of organized crime, Saudi Arabia has lower indices across several categories, indicating a safer environment. For instance, the mafia groups index is 3.0 for Saudi Arabia versus 7.5 for Afghanistan, and the crime networks index is 6.5 for Saudi Arabia compared to 8.5 for Afghanistan. Overall, while no destination is without risks, Saudi Arabia presents a safer option for tourists coming from Afghanistan.