Fully vaccinated expats can now enter the Kingdom directly
The decision only applies to expats who were fully vaccinated in Saudi Arabia before they departed for their home country…
The Ministry of Interior has issued directives to allow direct entry of fully vaccinated expatriates from countries facing travel ban, without a need for quarantine in a third country, as reported by the Saudi Gazette, citing an official source from the ministry.
The new decision will be applicable only to foreigners who have a valid residency permit (iqama) and left the Kingdom on an exit and re-entry visa after taking two doses of vaccine against coronavirus from Saudi Arabia.
Expats wanting to return to the Kingdom should undergo all health measures to ensure they are free from infection.
The ministry also posted on its Twitter account, confirming that the Kingdom will allow residents from banned countries to return if they have received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine from the Kingdom before leaving.
السماح بعودة المقيمين القادمين من الدول التي سبق تعليق القدوم منها، والذين استكملوا تلقي جرعتي لقاح كورونا داخل المملكة قبل مغادرتهم لها.#وزارة_الداخلية pic.twitter.com/6YRwTPBhMs
— وزارة الداخلية (@MOISaudiArabia) August 24, 2021
However, iqama holders who have been fully vaccinated from outside Saudi Arabia and those who have taken only one dose in Saudi Arabia before departing for their home country are not allowed direct entry into the Kingdom if they come from the banned countries.
Currently, the countries facing the travel ban are Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
The Ministry of Interior source said that the authorities had allowed earlier direct entry to Saudi citizens, as well as to foreign diplomats, health practitioners and their families from the countries facing travel ban.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia announced a free extension of iqamas, exit re-entry visas, and visit visas until September 30 for expats stuck in travel-restricted countries.
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