Multiple media outlets report that authorities in Saudi Arabia will ease some restrictions for international flights, thereby allowing people who work in 'exceptional categories' to travel from 15 September.

The Ministry of Interior announced that starting 15 SEPTEMBER 2020 (Tuesday), there is a partial lifting of the suspension on international flights to travel for :

  • Government employees (civil and military who are assigned duties)
  • Workers in Saudi diplomatic missions or attachés abroad, their families and companions
  • Patients according to the medical situation (if treatment is required outside the Kingdom, in particular cancer patients or those in need of organ transplantation)
  • Scholarship students and trainees
  • Humanitarian cases (including the death of loved ones outside the Kingdom)
  • Participants in sporting events
  • Workers in permanent jobs outside the Kingdom
  • Businessmen who have urgent working conditions (finishing businesses, visiting clients, etc.)
  • Participants in regional and international sporting events
  • Residents outside the Kingdom, and their companions

Exit and entry from the Kingdom will be allowed for citizens of the GCC countries

Entry to non-Saudis who hold the following visas:
Exit and Re-entry, Work, Residence and Visit

*International travel FOR ALL and opening of all ports will be on 1 January 2021

Saudi Arabia would lift totally the restrictions on citizens for leaving and returning to the Kingdom, with opening all land, sea and airports starting from 1 January 2021. This is in line with all Covid-19 related precautionary measures and protocols and provided that the entry is in accordance with the preventive health controls and procedures set by the committee concerned. Any evidence that the person is negative of Covid-19 must be presented. Tests must be conducted no more than 48 hours before arrival. The committee has the right to take preventive measures by suspending travel to and from countries where Covid-19 is common.

A list of the countries included have not been released to date