A number of years ago, my parents traveled to Saudi Arabia so Dad could lecture. All the details were handled by a contact there. My mother was worried going over because they didn't have all the visa paperwork. They were met at the airport by an official who expedited taking them through customs. There a nice man stamped all of Dad's paper work, then turned to the man behind my mother and asked for his paperwork. Mom says "What about me?"
The customs man said "Whether or not your husband wants you to travel with him is of no concern to His Majesty's government." In essence, she was baggage.
I don't believe anything has changed.