Saudi Arabia lifts travel restrictions on citizens; reopens air, land, sea borders today

Passengers in one of the Saudi airports

Saudi Arabia’s decision to allow citizens to travel abroad and fully reopen sea, air and land borders comes into effect today, May 17, 2021

On May 2, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement that the Kingdom will lift the suspension on citizens traveling abroad starting 1 am on May 17.

Travel restrictions will be lifted for citizens who received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or those who received one shot, provided that they are proved to be vaccinated 14 days before departure from the Kingdom via the health information provided by Tawakkalna app.

Citizens who have recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months will be also allowed to travel abroad.

Citizens who are below 18 years will be also allowed to travel outside the Kingdom. However, they are required to provide an insurance policy approved by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), covering the COVID-19 risks outside the country.

They will also remain in home quarantine for seven days after returning to the Kingdom and take a PCR test by the end of the quarantine period. Those who are below eight years are exempt from that test.