Saudi Arabia
Please note: this chapter of the website is not a full catalogue listing but an illustrated supplement to R J Thoden's A Catalogue of the Fiscal Stamps of Saudi Arabia 1916-2001 (2001). The catalogue numbers used on this page follow the prefixes and numbering system used by Thoden.
Chapter overview
- Certification Fee (catalogue numbers prefixed RCE)
- Passport and Visa (catalogue numbers prefixed RP)
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Joe Ross for providing several images used on this page.
Currency
- 100 halalas = 1 riyal
Certification Fee
RCE1, RCE2/2a, RCE3/4
1986. Arms of the Kingdom, inscribed tasdiq (=certification) in Arabic below crossed swords.
a) 22 x 27 mm, litho printing, perf 12
RCE1. 30r pale orange-brown
b) 22 x 27 mm, recess printing, perf 13¾ x 14
RCE2. 30r brown
a. Perf 14 (line)
c) As b) but design reduced to 21 x 26 mm, and now with security background of fine horizontal, vertical and slanted lines printed in pale orange
RCE3. 30r brown
RCE4. 30r blue-green and brown
Notes:
1. The decoration in the upper side panel of RCE4 is slightly different from that on RCE1/3, having a pattern of swirls in place of horizontal lines.
2. RCE2a and RCE3/4 are not listed in Thoden's catalogue.
a) 22 x 27 mm, litho printing, perf 12
RCE1. 30r pale orange-brown
b) 22 x 27 mm, recess printing, perf 13¾ x 14
RCE2. 30r brown
a. Perf 14 (line)
c) As b) but design reduced to 21 x 26 mm, and now with security background of fine horizontal, vertical and slanted lines printed in pale orange
RCE3. 30r brown
RCE4. 30r blue-green and brown
Notes:
1. The decoration in the upper side panel of RCE4 is slightly different from that on RCE1/3, having a pattern of swirls in place of horizontal lines.
2. RCE2a and RCE3/4 are not listed in Thoden's catalogue.
Passport and Visa
RP37/47 (including RP39a) and RP52
1969-85. Arms of the Kingdom, with inscription in banner showing the type of fee paid. 23 x 27 mm. Perf 13¾ x 14. Wmk Multiple Arms (Thoden type 2). Printed (recess).
RP37. 2r yellow-olive (Exit Visa)
RP38. 2r brown (A Country Addition)
RP39. 10r red-brown (Residential Visa)
a. Deep brown
RP42. 20r dull blue-green (Entry Visa)
RP43. 20r violet (Return Visa)
RP44. 20r orange (Passport Renewal)
RP46. 40r grey-black (Residential Visa Renewal)
RP47. 63r blue (General Services Tax)
1980. New type.
RP52. 20r orange-brown (Re-Entry Visa)
Notes:
1. The Arabic country inscription at the top is in white on coloured background on RP38 and RP47, and in colour on white for the other values. The appropriation is given in English as well as Arabic on the 2r, 20r (RP42/3) and 63r values.
2. In addition to the above values, Thoden lists the following, none of which I have seen: 10r Passport, 10r Transit Visa, 31½r General Services Tax. He also lists a change of watermark (to his Wmk 1) for the 2r and 40r, and shade / paper variations on various values. I have not seen these.
3. RP39a is not listed in Thoden's catalogue.
RP37. 2r yellow-olive (Exit Visa)
RP38. 2r brown (A Country Addition)
RP39. 10r red-brown (Residential Visa)
a. Deep brown
RP42. 20r dull blue-green (Entry Visa)
RP43. 20r violet (Return Visa)
RP44. 20r orange (Passport Renewal)
RP46. 40r grey-black (Residential Visa Renewal)
RP47. 63r blue (General Services Tax)
1980. New type.
RP52. 20r orange-brown (Re-Entry Visa)
Notes:
1. The Arabic country inscription at the top is in white on coloured background on RP38 and RP47, and in colour on white for the other values. The appropriation is given in English as well as Arabic on the 2r, 20r (RP42/3) and 63r values.
2. In addition to the above values, Thoden lists the following, none of which I have seen: 10r Passport, 10r Transit Visa, 31½r General Services Tax. He also lists a change of watermark (to his Wmk 1) for the 2r and 40r, and shade / paper variations on various values. I have not seen these.
3. RP39a is not listed in Thoden's catalogue.
RP53/57
1985. New values similar to previous issue but perf 12 and printed in lithography.
RP53. 30r deep grey-green (Entry Visa)
RP54. 80r red-brown (Re-Entry Visa)
RP54a. 90r brown (Residential Visa)
RP55. 100r olive (Final Exit)
RP56. 110r grey-black (Residential Visa Renewal)
RP57. 270r blue-green (Additional Passport Fee)
Note: RP54a is not listed in Thoden's catalogue.
RP53. 30r deep grey-green (Entry Visa)
RP54. 80r red-brown (Re-Entry Visa)
RP54a. 90r brown (Residential Visa)
RP55. 100r olive (Final Exit)
RP56. 110r grey-black (Residential Visa Renewal)
RP57. 270r blue-green (Additional Passport Fee)
Note: RP54a is not listed in Thoden's catalogue.
RP58/64
1987-95. Larger types, 26 x 36 mm, all inscribed bilingually in Arabic and English. Perf 14. Wmk Multiple Arms (Thoden type 2). Printed (recess).
RP58. 50r dull blue-green (Entry Visa)
RP59. 100r brick-red (Re-Entry Visa)
RP60. 100r red-brown (Residential Visa)
RP61. 100r olive (Final Exit)
RP62. 150r grey-black (Renewal Residential Visa)
RP63. 200r brick-red (Re-Entry Visa)
RP64. 500r grey-black (Renewal Residential Visa)
Note: all the above stamps are listed in Thoden's catalogue.
RP58. 50r dull blue-green (Entry Visa)
RP59. 100r brick-red (Re-Entry Visa)
RP60. 100r red-brown (Residential Visa)
RP61. 100r olive (Final Exit)
RP62. 150r grey-black (Renewal Residential Visa)
RP63. 200r brick-red (Re-Entry Visa)
RP64. 500r grey-black (Renewal Residential Visa)
Note: all the above stamps are listed in Thoden's catalogue.
RP64a/65
2001. New types in similar large format, now with security background of fine horizontal, vertical and slanted lines. Perf 14. Wmk Multiple Arms (Thoden type 2). Printed (recess).
RP64a. 50r blue-green (Transit Visa)
RP65. 200r brown-orange (Visit Visa Single)
Note: RP64a is not listed by Thoden.
RP64a. 50r blue-green (Transit Visa)
RP65. 200r brown-orange (Visit Visa Single)
Note: RP64a is not listed by Thoden.
RP71/74
c2010. As previous issues but each stamp now printed in two colours on glazed paper without security background. 500r value added in design of 200r. Perf 14. No watermark.
RP71. 50r blue-green and red-brown (Entry Visa)
RP72. 100r blue-green and red-brown (Residential Visa)
RP73. 200r bronze-green and brick-red (Visit Visa Single)
RP74. 500r bronze-green and brown (Visit Visa Multiple)
Note: RP71/74 are not listed in Thoden's catalogue, presumably since they were issued since its publication.
RP71. 50r blue-green and red-brown (Entry Visa)
RP72. 100r blue-green and red-brown (Residential Visa)
RP73. 200r bronze-green and brick-red (Visit Visa Single)
RP74. 500r bronze-green and brown (Visit Visa Multiple)
Note: RP71/74 are not listed in Thoden's catalogue, presumably since they were issued since its publication.
