Skip to Content

Saudi Arabia Becomes 11th Country to Remove Entry Requirements

Share The Article

Last Updated


Saudi Arabia has recently removed entry requirements for visitors wanting to enter the country for tourism purposes.

In the last few days, the nation’s government announced that visitors will no longer be required to show proof that they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 – and that a negative PCR test result will also no longer be needed by those looking to visit the country.

Entry will now look similar to 2019, with almost every covid-related entry requirement now discontinued. However, there are still a few unique entry rules for visiting Saudi Arabia that every traveler needs to be aware of before they book a trip.

King Fahd Road in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

A decision was also made by the Saudi Arabian authorities to remove the requirement for individuals from certain countries to undergo quarantine – with the Arab nation also announcing that they will allow residents from red-list countries to now enter.

Saudi Arabia – throughout the Covid-19 pandemic – has maintained a red list of countries, which includes nations that have experienced high transmission rates of the virus, as well as mutant strains of Covid-19.

Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia

Back last year, Saudi Arabia lifted its travel ban for travelers coming from the U.S. and UK – amongst other nations.

As of March 8, 2022, entry into Saudi Arabia looks much like pre-pandemic times, with;

  • No pre-flight testing
  • No tests on arrival, or after arrival
  • No quarantines
  • No countries banned due to covid-related issues
  • No proof of vaccination

So, What Entry Requirements Remain For Travelers Wanting To Visit Saudi Arabia Right Now?

Wadi Al Disah Saudi Arabia

Although you are no longer required to show proof that you have been vaccinated against Covid-19, undergo any form of quarantine – as well as present a negative Covid test result upon arrival – there are still a few entry requirements for travelers coming from the likes of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Let’s take a look at what these are.

Elephant rock in Saudi Arabia

Mandatory proof of vaccination for some public places – Although travelers are not required to show proof of vaccination upon their arrival into Saudi Arabia, they are still required to present proof of their vaccination in order to enter some government and private venues, as well as when using public transport. Proof of vaccination is not required for restaurants, hotels, and many other touristic services.

Travelers should register the details of their vaccination against Covid-19 using Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health Portal.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In order to be considered fully vaccinated, travelers must have received their booster dose.

Travelers under the age of 16 are exempt from this requirement.

Mandatory health insurance – All travelers entering Saudi Arabia are required to have valid health insurance that includes coverage for the treatment of Covid-19.

Mandatory contact-tracing mobile application – Travelers must download – and register their details on – the Tawakkalna mobile application.

You are required to register your ‘home’ location inside Saudi Arabia – which you need to do no more than 8 hours prior to your arrival.

Mobile phone with suitcase

Travelers are also required to keep their mobile phone connected to the internet – as well as have their phone’s GPS settings switched on at all times – in order for the contact-tracing app to function.

Mandatory registration form – All travelers are required to fill in their details using the online arrival registration form – which needs to be done prior to your departure to Saudi Arabia.

Masjidil Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Mandatory health declaration form – All travelers are required to fill in – and complete – a mandatory health declaration form, which they must then present upon their arrival into Saudi Arabia.

Do You Need A Visa In Order To Visit Saudi Arabia?

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Landscape at night

Yes, you do. Travelers – including those from the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom – will need to obtain a Saudi Arabian eVisa in order to enter the country.

You need to apply online – attaching the relevant supporting documents to your application – and print out your eVisa once it has been issued to you in order to present it to Saudi Arabia’s immigration upon arrival.

Saudi Arabia flag

The eVisa will allow you multiple entries to the country for tourism purposes – with a maximum stay of 90 days – and is valid for 1 year.

The cost of the eVisa is US$177 and usually takes around 1 business day to process after you have submitted your application.

saudi arabia

Saudi Arabia is expecting to welcome as many as 50 million tourists during the remaining months of this year (2022) – which comes as great news for the country’s tourism industry, which is looking to recover following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some nations – including the likes of Hungary, Ireland and Jordan have recently removed all of their entry requirements for travelers.

Read more:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Costa Rica and Belize Ease Entry Requirements For Travelers

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!


SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.


Vanessa

Monday 6th of June 2022

Hello there, Thank you for the amazingly well-researched work you are doing on all countries post-convid on this website which is a godsend for travellers confused by current times and requirements which vary greatly from country to country and region to region.

I just have one question relating to your due diligence on Saudi Arabia. My family and I are aware that Saudi is now open to international tourists and not demanding any silly paperwork requirements (apart from medical insurance - and what if one only has a very basic mobile phone?). I was wondering if you had a list of all the tourist attractions that demand proof of vaccine. Thank you so much.

Thomas

Saturday 19th of March 2022

What is the source off this article? I couldn't find any information to validate this news

Kashlee Kucheran

Saturday 19th of March 2022

Hi Thomas, we got the information directly from the Ministry of the Interior We cross-checked this with information from the airlines flying in/out of Saudi Arabia and with local press outlets

AC

Sunday 13th of March 2022

What about El Salvador? They removed all requirements around November 2021. Which position do they get?

Trevor Kucheran

Sunday 13th of March 2022

We already covered them back in November :) they were one of the first

Randy

Sunday 13th of March 2022

The Saudis are flocking into Thailand after the normalization of diplomatic ties. Saudi Arabia is NOT on the list of 23 nations in the Visa on Arrival program into Bali.

Nevertheless, it is not (never) on my bucket list to visit regardless of any entry requirement or none at all.

Michael Z, NYC USA

Thursday 10th of March 2022

If you support Ukraine - who would want to visit Saudia Arabia? While the USA and the European Union have imposed some tough restrictions on Putin and the huge hikes is gas costs - - OPEC and Saudi Abrabia have refused to increase production. And, Saudi Abarbia is an American pal? Hmmm...