Is Hijab Legally Required in Saudi Arabia?

A hijab is not legally required in Saudi Arabia. Since the Public Decency Law took effect on November 2, 2019, neither Saudi women nor foreign visitors have to cover their hair in most public settings. What the law does require is modest clothing: loose-fitting garments that cover the elbows and extend below the ankles. The specific garment is your choice. Saudi Arabia’s official tourism site states directly that “it is not mandatory to wear an abaya or hijab.”¹

What the Public Decency Law Actually Requires

The Public Decency Law does not name the hijab, the abaya, or any other specific garment. It sets a modesty standard that applies to residents and visitors, women and men. In practice, that standard means:

Clothing covers the elbows and extends below the ankles.
Clothes are loose rather than tight, and not transparent.
No sleepwear or underwear worn as outerwear in public.²
No profane language, obscene imagery, or symbols promoting discrimination, drugs, or pornography on clothing.²

The abaya is still extremely common among Saudi women, but it has become a cultural choice rather than a legal one. In Riyadh and Jeddah many women wear Western-style clothing that meets the modesty threshold without an abaya. Foreign visitors tend to attract less scrutiny than residents, though the standard applies equally.

When a Head Covering Is Still Required

The relaxed public rule does not reach mosques and religious sites. If you plan to enter any mosque in Saudi Arabia as a woman, you need to cover your hair, and that expectation is taken seriously. Some larger mosques keep loaner scarves and abayas at the entrance, but availability is not guaranteed. A lightweight scarf in your bag is the simplest way to avoid being turned away.

Mecca

Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering Mecca, so the dress rules there apply only to Muslim visitors. Women performing Umrah or Hajj must wear clothing that fully covers the body and hair, is loose-fitting, and has no decorative elements. Faces and hands remain uncovered during the rites.

Medina

Non-Muslims may visit the city of Medina but cannot enter the Prophet’s Mosque. Women who do enter the mosque must wear a hijab along with loose, modest clothing.

What Happens If You Don’t Comply

Dress code violations carry fines, not jail time. The published schedule:

Improper clothing in public: 100 SAR (about $27) for a first offense, 200 SAR for a repeat.²
Sleepwear or underwear in public: 100 SAR first offense, 200 SAR repeat.²
Profane language or obscene images on clothing: 100 SAR first offense, 200 SAR repeat.²
Clothing promoting discrimination, racism, pornography, or drug use: 500 SAR first offense (about $133), 1,000 SAR repeat.²

Enforcement is handled by the regular police. The religious police lost the authority to detain or arrest people in 2016 and no longer issue citations or confront individuals over clothing. Tourists are more likely to receive a verbal warning than a fine, though the fines are real and authorities have stepped up enforcement in recent years.

Workplace Dress Can Be Stricter

Your employer’s rules may demand more than the law does. Many Saudi companies and government offices expect women to wear an abaya on the job even though no statute requires it. If you are working in Saudi Arabia, the internal policy of your workplace matters more than the general public standard.

A broader workplace regulation is also in progress. In late 2025, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development released a draft Code of Appearance and Conduct covering public sector, private, and nonprofit employees. For female employees, the proposed rules require clothing that is modest, fully covers the body, and is neither tight nor transparent. Clothing or accessories displaying political, ideological, or inappropriate symbols would be prohibited for all employees. The draft was open for public consultation through December 2025 and, once finalized, takes effect 30 days after publication in the Official Gazette.

Hijab in Visa Photos

Saudi eVisa photos generally do not permit headwear, but religious headwear is allowed. If you wear a hijab for religious reasons, you can keep it on, provided your entire face is visible from forehead to chin with no shadows.³

1
Visit Saudi Official Website. Saudi Culture and Customs: Explore Saudi Stories
2
Visit Saudi. Violations to Public Decency and Penalties
3
The Official Website for Tourist Visa to Saudi Arabia – Saudi eVisa. Photo Specifications