Saudi Arabia to Fine Citizens Up to SAR 30,000 for Travelling to Banned Countries

Last updated: Apr 2, 2026

Saudi citizens who travel to countries on the government’s prohibited list now face fines of up to SAR 30,000 (approximately US $8,000) and a travel ban of up to two years.

The Ministry of Interior will determine and announce the official list of prohibited countries after completing the necessary procedures.

Table of Contents

What Are the New Penalties?

The penalties apply whether you travel directly to a banned country or reach it indirectly through a third country.

First-time offenders face a fine of up to SAR 30,000 and a travel ban of up to two years.
Repeat offenders face up to SAR 60,000 and a travel ban of up to five years.

Penalties can be increased if the destination is:

An active conflict zone
Classified as dangerous by the government
Subject to emergency travel restrictions

On the other hand, penalties may be reduced in certain cases:

If you have first-degree family members in the destination country
If your stay was a short transit of under 48 hours
If you are aged 60 or above

The regulations also impose a separate fine of up to SR 5,000 for providing false information on travel document applications.

The penalties are part of new executive regulations under Saudi Arabia’s Travel Documents Law, approved by Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif.

Which Countries Are Banned?

The specific list of prohibited countries under the new regulations has not been officially released yet.

According to reporting from Gulf News and Saudi Gazette, the Minister of Interior will determine and announce the banned countries “after completion of the necessary procedures.”

For context, Saudi Arabia has previously restricted citizen travel to several countries.

According to an earlier Saudi Press Agency announcement, the Ministry of Interior banned direct or indirect travel to 13 countries without prior permission:

Libya, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen
Iran, Turkey, India, and Armenia
Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Afghanistan
Venezuela and Belarus

The ban on Turkey, India, Ethiopia, and Vietnam was lifted in June 2022.

As of the most recent previous regulations, 11 countries remained restricted: Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Armenia, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Belarus.

It is not yet confirmed whether this same list applies under the new regulations. Travellers should monitor the Saudi Ministry of Interior website for official updates.

What Should Saudi Travellers Do Now?

Do not assume the old list is still current. Wait for the Ministry of Interior to publish the official list of prohibited countries under the new Travel Documents Law regulations.

If you have upcoming travel plans to any of the previously restricted countries, consider postponing until the new list is confirmed. Travelling through a banned country — even as a transit stop — may also trigger penalties.

Keep an eye on these official channels for updates:

You can also track flight status and plan alternative routes using the Wego flight tracker. For flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam, check your options before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this apply to residents or only Saudi citizens?

The Travel Documents Law penalties apply to Saudi nationals. Residents and visitors are subject to separate immigration and visa rules.

Can I transit through a banned country without penalty?

Short transits under 48 hours may qualify for reduced penalties, but they are not exempt. The safest approach is to avoid routing through any prohibited country entirely.

Where can I find the official list of banned countries?

The list has not been published yet under the new regulations. Check the Ministry of Interior website and Saudi Press Agency for official announcements.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.