Countries Open For Saudi Travellers In 2021 – International Flights From Saudi Arabia

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Updated 1 September 2021

For the most part, the resumption of international flights and the reopening of airports throughout the Kingdom means that international travel to and from Saudi Arabia is gradually being restored. However, travel to somecountries where the coronavirus poses a risk for travellers are still being barred by the authorities.

For Saudi travellers looking to venture abroad, here is a list of destinations where travel is allowed.

Who can fly abroad now?

Only fully vaccinated Saudi citizens may travel abroad and take domestic flights . As per the latest travel guidelines, the following categories are exempted:

• Children under the age of twelve provided that they obtain a valid health insurance policy approved by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) to cover the risks of COVID-19.
• Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 in a period not exceeding six months.
• Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and received one dose of the approved vaccines in the Kingdom.
• Individuals whose status in Tawakkalna appear (Exempted) from COVID-19 vaccine, are to be treated equally as those whose status in Tawakkalna appear as IMMUNE.

Keep in mind that only the Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccines have been approved.

All travellers arriving at Saudi Arabia must obtain and show a prof of vaccination (vaccine certificates for COVID 19) with one of the flowing vaccines:

• 2 doses of Pfizer BioNTech
• 2 doses of Oxford AstraZeneca
• 2 doses of Moderna
• 1 dose of Johnson Johnson & Janssen

Travellers who have completed two doses of the following vaccines will be accepted :

On condition of that they have received an additional dose of one of the vaccines approved in the Kingdom mentioned in the above paragraph.

Travelling to red-listed countries

Saudi Arabia has announced that citizens who travel to red-list countries amid the Covid-19 pandemic will be in clear violation of the law and risk being slapped with a three-year international travel ban.

Violators will be held legally accountable and heavy penalties will be imposed upon their return, said the official, adding that offenders would not be allowed to travel outside the Kingdom for a period of three years.

The Ministry of Interior reiterated to its citizens that the travel ban to red-list countries applies regardless of whether the passage is direct or undertaken via another country.

It is also prohibited to travel to countries dealing with the spread of mutated strains of the virus.

Quarantine and testing requirements for arrivals to KSA

Non-Saudi nationals holding tourist visas are now allowed to enter the Kingdom if they have fulfilled such requirements:

• Completed the required doses of one of the COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Saudi Ministry of Health. Vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter without having to be institutionally quarantined.
• Successfully registered on the Arrival Registration Platform
• Provide a negative PCR test certificate issued from a verified laboratory that does not exceed 72 hours from the time the test is undertaken until departing to the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has also announced extending validity of visit visas until September 30. The extension of visa will be made automatically without charging any fees and can be done through the following link: https://enjazit.com

All passengers arriving in the Kingdom will also need to undergo institutional quarantine for 7 days, except the following exempt categories:

• Saudi citizens, citizen spouses and their mothers, citizens children and domestic workers accompanying any of these categories
  • Non-immune travellers, in this category, shall comply with home quarantine for a period of 7 days, and be allowed to take the COVID 19 PCR test starting on the 6TH day of quarantine
• Non-immune domestic workers accompanying an immune resident
  • Non-immune Guests shall comply with home quarantine for a period of 7 days, and be allowed to take the COVID 19 PCR test starting on the 6TH day of quarantine
• Immune Guests of citizens and residents and their companions, resident's wives and resident's children those who are under the age of (18) who are not accompanied by their parents
• Non-immune Guests, shall comply with Home Quarantine for 7days, and take PCR test on the 6th day of quarantine
• Those holding a diplomatic visa, diplomats and their residing families, and their domestic workers
  • they'll have to adhere to the quarantine procedures by staying in their homes in accordance to the minatory of health (MOH) approved regulations)
• Cabin crews
• Those involved in health supply chains, according to MOH
• Health practitioners working in Government sectors, their families and companions those who are under the age of 18
  • they must comply with home quarantine for 7 days with 2 PCR tests, one within 24 hours and another on the 7th day

It is also mandatory for travellers to take RT-PCR tests on the first and seventh day of quarantine. If the result is negative, they are permitted to leave quarantine on the 8th day.

Vaccinated individuals will be exempted from both, quarantine as well as testing requirements, provided they show proof of immunization.

Where can Saudis travel to now?

The majority of travel destinations are now open for Saudi tourists. Some countries have relaxed their regulations for travellers from the Kingdom, while some have done away with them altogether.

Here are the most prominent countries open for travel and tourism that you, as a Saudi passport holder, can travel to without being quarantined or with minimal quarantine.

The Weqaya Health Authority has classified countries as low, moderate, high and very high risk, on the epidemiological status of these countries.

Note: Travel restrictions are subject to change at moment's notice.

Low Risk Countries

Quarantine not required

• Belize. A negative PCR test result and proof of having received two full doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are required.
• Croatia. Only certain categories of travellers can enter Croatia from outside Europe. They need to present an RT-PCR/RAT negative result, proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or take the RAT test on arrival. Check the latest updates here.
• Cyprus. Passengers must have a Cyprus Flight Pass obtained at most 24 hours before departure. Check the latest updates here.
• Estonia. If you have been fully vaccinated within the last 12 months you can visit Estonia without any testing or quarantine.
• Ivory Coast. To visit this country, you require a negative result of a COVID-19 test that was performed within 5 days prior to departure, and have to fill out their travel declaration. Fill this form and check the latest updates here.
• Morocco. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure. They must complete a passenger health form online and submit a printed and signed on arrival.
• Switzerland. From 28 June, fully vaccinated travellers from Saudi Arabia will be able to enter Switzerland without any quarantine and pre-testing measures. They must have received vaccines authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or one of the vaccines included in the WHO's Emergency Use Listing. These include the Pfizer BioNTech, Sinopharm and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines.

Quarantine required

• Jordan. Submit a negative result PCR analysis no more than (72) hours before entering or carry proof of vaccination to be exempted from the testing on arrival. Those under the age of 18 must submit a medical insurance policy that covers COVID-19 inside Jordan. Check the latest updates here.
• Qatar. Visitors should have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before arrival. Quarantine for 7 days is required for unvaccinated passengers.

Moderate Risk Countries

Quarantine not required

• Bosnia and Herzegovina. You must submit a negative PCR test result, conducted within 48 hours of arrival. Quarantine is not required. Check the latest updates here.
• France. Saudi Arabia has been added to France's green list, which means that Saudis can travel there without the need to provide proof of their purpose of entry, undergo multiple tests or quarantine. Unvaccinated travellers will need to present proof of a PCR or antigen test taken within the last 72 hours before their arrival to France.
• Kosovo. Foreign nationals entering Kosovo, including those with temporary or permanent residence permits in Kosovo, coming from high-risk countries according to the official ECDC list, must undergo a negative RT-PCR test in the last 72 hours, on the basis of the principle of reciprocity. Check the latest updates here.
• Macedonia. All borders have been opened without testing and quarantine measures. Check the latest updates here.

Quarantine required

• Barbados. Travellers (regardless of vaccination status) need a valid PCR test result on arrival. They need to take two more tests, on at the arriving airport and a second on day 8. Quarantine for 7 days is mandatory.
• Bermuda. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 5 days before arrival. A travel authorization needs to be obtained at most 3 days before departure.
• The United States of America. Visitors must provide a negative coronavirus test result that is less than 72 hours old before entering the country. Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home for 7 days after travel, even if tested negative.

High Risk Countries

Quarantine not required

• Albania. COVID testing is not required. Check the latest updates here.
• Gambia. Visitors must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before arrival.
• Germany. Vaccinated travellers will be able to enter Germany under existing visa regulations and are required to register at www.einreiseanmeldung.de prior to departing. Travellers must also print out their proof of vaccination and carry it with them on their travels.
• Georgia. Travelers with evidence of a document confirming their full vaccination for COVID-19 (two doses) at the border can enter Georgia by air without any restrictions. Quarantine is required if you don't possess a negative test certificate. Unvaccinated passengers are required to take a PCR test on the third day after arrival at their own expense. Check the latest updates here.
• Ghana. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before departure, and will be subject to a second test on arrival. If confirmed negative, quarantine is not needed.
• Greece. Travellers arriving in Greece are required to have either:
  • a negative PCR certificate from a testing laboratory, for a Covid-19 test taken no later than 72 hours before arrival or a negative antigen (rapid) certificate taken no longer than 48 hours before arrival
  • vaccination certificates, or
  • a medical certificate confirming that the holder was tested positive with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in the past 2 to 9 months.
• Guinea-Bissau. Arrivals must have a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure.
• El Salvador. Visitors need a LAMP, NAAT, RT-PCR test result issued within 72 hours of the scheduled arrival, or proof of vaccination. Passengers younger than 2 years and those having a diplomatic passport are exempt from this.
• Mali. To enter Mali, you must carry a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test result issued not more than 7 days before arrival. A completed health declaration form must be presented upon arrival.
• Mauritania. You must take a PCR test less than 5 days before arrival and show evidence of the negative test result. Quarantine is required only if you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.
• Mexico. There are no testing requirements. A completed 'Cuestionario de identificacion de factores de riesgo en viajeros' must be presented to immigration upon arrival.
• Nicaragua. Passengers are required to have a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 test result, and the test must have been taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.
• Serbia. A negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours or a vaccination certificate issued by the Serbian authorities is required by all tourists aged 12 and above. Check the latest updates here.
• Spain. All arrivals aged 6 and above must take a PCR, TMA, LAMP or other molecular tests within 72 hours prior to arrival and submit the results.
• South Africa. All arriving travellers arriving must provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before the date of travel. If they don't, they will have to do an antigen test on arrival, and if tested positive, quarantine themselves for 10 days. Check the latest updates here.
• United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has suspended all UAE flights starting July 4, 11 PM. Citizens of Saudi Arabia are also prohibited from travelling to the UAE unless they have prior permission. For the ones who are allowed to travel:
  - Abu Dhabi: As Saudi Arabia is on the green list, Saudis won't be required to quarantine. However, they must show a negative Covid-19 test result taken within 96 hours of the scheduled departure time, and take another test on your arrival at Abu Dhabi airport. Check the latest updates here.
  - Dubai: All travelers to Dubai, including Saudis, are required to hold a negative certificate for a COVID-19 PCR test that was performed no more than 72 hours after departure. Check the latest updates here.

Quarantine required

• Montenegro. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point. This doesn't apply to passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate if they have received the second dose at least 7 days before arrival.
• Nigeria. Prior to departure, passengers travelling to Nigeria must complete the on-line pre-boarding health declaration at the Nigeria International Travel Portal and upload a negative PCR test certificate taken within 96 hours of their departure. On arrival, they should quarantine for 7 days.

Very High Risk Countries

Quarantine not required

• Armenia. Travellers are asked to present the results of a PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival or take to a PCR test at the airport.
• Brazil. Passengers entering or transiting through Brazil must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure. Fill the Traveler's Health Declaration form before departure and present it upon arrival.
• Colombia. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 96 hours before departure. A 'Check Mig' form must be submitted at most 24 hours before departure.
• Costa Rica. Although land and marine entry is allowed, international arrivals by air are only possible on international private or commercial flights. Coronavirus testing is not necessary but travellers must fill out the Health Pass form. Fill this form and check the latest updates here.
• Ecuador. Passengers aged 2 and above must have one of the following documents. A completed 'Declaracion de salud del viajero' must be presented upon arrival. Quarantine is required only for travellers without covid-19 test results.
  • a negative COVID-19 antigen or RT-PCR test taken at most 3 days before arrival
  • a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, or a
  • COVID-19 recovery certificate.
• Egypt. All arriving international travellers will need to present a negative PCR test certificate for COVID-19 taken at the most 72 hours prior to arrival.
• Ethiopia. Saudi Arabia has suspended all Ethiopian flights starting July 4, 11 PM. Citizens of Saudi Arabia are also prohibited from travelling to Ethiopia unless they have prior permission. For the ones who are allowed to travel, all passengers over 10 years travelling to Ethiopia need to present a negative RT PCR test certificate for COVID-19 before boarding a flight. The certificate validity shouldn't exceed 120 hours on arrival from the date sample is given. Quarantine is required only if you don't carry such a certificate.
• Guatemala. Arrivals need to present one of the following-
  • COVID-19 vaccine certificate proving the vaccine was administered at least two weeks prior to arrival
  • a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival
  • proof of having tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered within three months of arrival
• Guyana. All passengers must take a test at least 7 days prior to arrival and have a negative PCR COVID-19 certificate upon entry.
• Honduras. You must fill an Immigration Pre-check form and present a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival from a test taken in the previous 72 hours.
• Iran. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 96 hours before arrival.
• Kenya. Passengers must have a negative PCR-based COVID-19 certificate carried out within 96 hours prior to the departure date. Saudi Arabian passengers are exempted from quarantine, but have to complete the Health Surveillance Online Form. Fill this form and check the latest updates here.
• Kyrgyzstan. Passengers aged 8 and above must have a printed medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test result, taken at most 72 hours before departure of the first embarkation point. You may be asked to do a second test upon arrival.
• Mozambique. Visitors are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
• Namibia. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test taken at most 7 days before departure from the first embarkation point. Passengers must present a completed epidemiological questionnaire upon arrival.
• Pakistan. Visitors need to have a negative COVID-19 test taken at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point. Quarantine is required only if you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival and test positive.
• Panama. Travellers have to show a negative COVID-19 PCR, RT-PCR, or Antigen test result, taken at most 48 hours before arrival and need to take a second test on arrival. A completed 'Declaracion Jurada de Salud< /a>' must be presented upon arrival.
• Paraguay. Visitors must have a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 LAMP, NAAT or RT-PCR test result, taken at most 72 hours before arrival, and international medical insurance with coverage of coronavirus treatment costs. Passengers must complete a 'Traveler's Health Information ' at most 24 hours before departure.
• Senegal. Travelers will have to provide a negative COVID-19 test from the country of departure, taken not more than 5 days before departure. All travelers to Senegal must fill out a passenger locator form before entry.
• Seychelles. You can travel to this archipelago if you haven't been in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Pakistan or South Africa in the 14 days preceding arrival. Quarantine is not required, but you'll need to have a COVID-19 negative PCR test certificate that must be taken within 72 hours prior to travel. Vaccination, though not mandatory, is encouraged. Check the latest updates here.
• Tanzania. There are no testing requirements in place, however, all international arrivals are screened thoroughly. Quarantine is required only if you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.
• Uganda. Travellers will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued no more than 120 hours before boarding. Quarantine is required only if you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. However, Saudi Arabia has warned citizens against travel to Uganda.
• Ukraine. All passengers aged 12 and above must take a coronavirus test within 72 hours before arriving in Ukraine and submit a negative result. Check the latest updates here.
• Venezuela. All travellers entering Venezuela must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed within 48 hours of boarding their incoming flight and will be subjected to a COVID-19 test at port of entry.
• Zambia. Visitors to Zambia must have proof that they have tested negative for COVID-19 in the 7 days before their arrival. Quarantine and a second test on arrival are required only if you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.

Quarantine required

• Bahrain. Saudis have been allowed to travel to Bahrain but will need to take 3 COVID-19 tests on the 1st, 5th and 10th day on arrival. They must quarantine until the negative results of these tests are delivered. This, however, doesn't apply to vaccinated passengers. Check the latest updates here.
• Iraq. Passengers traveling must have a printed negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure. Quarantine regulations depend on the city in Iran you're travelling to.
• Lebanon. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 96 hours before arrival and take a second test on arrival. Unvaccinated travellers are required to quarantine. Passengers must complete an 'Airport Tracking Registration For m' before departure.
• Maldives. Travellers need to carry a printed or electronic negative PCR test result. Quarantine is not required if you have been vaccinated or you're travelling to an island where at least 60% population has been vaccinated. If not, you'll have to quarantine for 14 days. Maldives citizens and work visa holders traveling to the Maldives are required to quarantine for 10 days at their place of residence or work. Check the latest updates here.
• Rwanda. All arrivals must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 120 hours of departure. It is mandatory to quarantine at a designated hotel for 24 hours whilst awaiting the results of a second COVID-19 test conducted on arrival.
• Tunisia. A printed negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure is mandatory. Passengers must complete a Health Declaration form before departure. They need to quarantine for 7 days at a designated hotel on arrival.

Which countries are on the red list?

The travel ban on countries that pose a risk of transmission still remains in force. Saudi travellers are strictly prohibited from travelling to the following countries:

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

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