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Saudi Arabia drops all Covid entry restrictions
Saudi Arabia has lifted all Covid-related curbs for arriving tourists.
Effective immediately, visitors to Saudi will no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a PCR test to enter the country.
Institutional quarantine requirements will be removed, and all travellers from the countries currently red-listed will be allowed entry.
Social distancing rules will be lifted across the country, including Makkah and Madinah, and masks will only be required in enclosed public places.
This lifting of restrictions on leisure, business and religious visitors marks the most comprehensive update to travel regulations since Saudi first opened to international travellers in September 2019.
“We welcome this decision, which protects both lives and livelihoods while welcoming travellers back to Saudi,” said Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia.
“The return to pre-pandemic levels of openness was made possible by our ambitious vaccination program and other successful efforts to minimise the spread of the virus..”
Fees for all visa categories will include a nominal fee for medical insurance for Covid-19.
Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to close its borders.
In terms of total Covid cases per million in the population, Saudi ranks lower than any other OECD country.
Saudi only opened to international leisure travellers in September 2019, less than six months before its borders were closed due to the pandemic.
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