COVID-19 travel restrictions: Saudi Arabia

This article was published on April 7, 2022, and all the information in the article is correct as of this time. Before you book your trip, we highly recommend that you also check official sources for the most up-to-date travel requirements, as they are subject to constant change.

Can I enter Saudi Arabia?

As of February 2022, you can enter Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, please note that local COVID-19 restrictions are in place.

All foreign travelers must first complete an Arrival Registration and install the Tawakkalna application when going to Saudi Arabia.

Can I enter Saudi Arabia if I am vaccinated?

You can enter Saudi Arabia if you are vaccinated. However, there are certain local differences concerning vaccine producers.

The following vaccines are completely approved in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, you do not need to wait 14 days after the second dose administration (except for Johnson & Johnson) to be considered fully vaccinated:

Pfizer
Oxford / AstraZeneca
Moderna
Johnson & Johnson

In addition, if you have received a booster dose with one of the approved vaccines listed above, the following vaccines (the previous two doses) can also be accepted in Saudi Arabia:

Sinopharm
Sinovac

Travel documents if I am vaccinated

If you are vaccinated, you have to present:

A vaccination certificate uploaded to the Tawakkalna application
A negative PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before arriving in Saudi Arabia
A health insurance for COVID-19 expenses (depending on your departure country)

The following groups of tourists are exempt from presenting PCR tests:

Children under the age of eight years
Spouse of a Saudi National
Children of a Saudi National
The parents of Saudi Citizens
Domestic workers

Can I enter Saudi Arabia if I am unvaccinated?

Please note that unvaccinated travelers and recovered travelers without vaccination are not permitted to enter Saudi Arabia for tourism.

Who cannot enter Saudi Arabia?

Currently, foreign travelers from the following countries are not permitted to enter Saudi Arabia:

South Africa
Namibia
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Mozambique
Lesotho
Malawi
Zambia
Madagascar
Angola
Seychelles
Mauritius
Nigeria

Only the following category of arrivals are permitted to enter the country:

Saudi citizens
Those involved in supply chains
Diplomats
Health practitioners and their families

Can I leave Saudi Arabia?

You can leave Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Health stresses that no travel is safe during COVID-19.

Vaccinated travelers can leave Saudi Arabia.

Travel documents if I am vaccinated

A certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 in paper or electronic format

Please ensure to learn the requirements about presenting your destination country’s negative COVID-19 test result in advance.

Unvaccinated foreign travelers can leave Saudi Arabia. However, unvaccinated Saudi Citizens are restricted in international travel for tourism.

Travel documents if I am unvaccinated

A certificate of recovery from COVID-19 (no more than 180 days old before the day of crossing the border of a particular country)
A negative COVID-19 test result (the relevant period and kind of test may vary, please check the requirements of the destination country)

Traveling from Saudi Arabia to “red” countries

At present, there is a suspension of travel for Saudi Citizens to the following countries:

Libya
Syria
Lebanon
Yemen
Iran
Turkey
Armenia
Ethiopia
Somalia
Democratic Republic of Congo
Afghanistan
Venezuela
Belarus
India
Vietnam
Republic of Indonesia

COVID-19 situation in Saudi Arabia currently

Compared to the previous months, the COVID-19 situation in Saudi Arabia is safe as of February 2022. Please follow the COVID-19 regulations to ensure your safety.

FAQs

Is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia right now?

International travel to Saudi Arabia is currently safe. Nearly 67% of the total Saudi population has been fully vaccinated. Please follow the basic COVID-19 regulations:

Wearing masks indoors
Avoid crowded gatherings

Is Riyadh open for travel?

Currently, Riyadh is open for travelers. COVID-19 restrictions in the capital are the same as in the rest of the country.

Do I have to quarantine if I go to Saudi Arabia?

All foreigners are obliged to undergo mandatory self-isolation. The duration and requirements vary depending on vaccination status (and drug manufacturer).

If you have been vaccinated with Pfizer, Oxford / AstraZeneca, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson (approved in Saudi Arabia), you have to:

Self-isolate for three days at accommodation facilities
Undergo a COVID-19 test 48 hours after arriving in Saudi Arabia

If you have been vaccinated with Sinopharma or Sinovac, you have to:

Self-isolate for five days at accommodation facilities
Undergo COVID-19 tests on day one and day five after arriving in Saudi Arabia
Receive a booster dose with one of the vaccines approved in Saudi Arabia after the end of the quarantine period

Please note that individuals arriving from Ethiopia and Afghanistan must follow these rules even if they are Saudi citizens.

In addition, exempt categories of arrivals are obliged to undergo a mandatory five-day institutional quarantine when entering Saudi Arabia from: