Saudi citizens permitted to travel from 17 May 2021

The new rules apply to vaccinated and recovered travellers

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has confirmed that the ban on Saudi citizens travelling abroad will be lifted from 1am on Monday, 17 May.

The new regulations apply to vaccinated citizens who have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, as well as those who received one dose, provided that 14 days have passed since they received their first dose. Proof of vaccination will need to be provided via the Tawakkalna app.

Citizens who have recovered from the virus will also be permitted to travel abroad, provided that the duration of recovery is less than six months. Confirmation of this will also need to be presented on the Tawakkalna app.

Citizens under the age of 18 are also permitted to travel, provided they submit an insurance policy before travel approved by the Saudi Central Bank, covering the risks of requiring Covid-19 treatment while outside of the country. Upon their return to Saudi, they will be subject to a seven-day home quarantine period followed by a PCR test. Saudi nationals below the age of eight are exempt from the PCR test.

Although the travel ban on citizens flying abroad will be lifted in May, Saudi will continue with its ban on flights from 20 countries when international travel resumes.