Key information to know if you're a GCC citizen stranded in Saudi Arabia
Everything to know
Saudi Arabia has revealed several new initiatives amid regional developments for GCC nationals and citizens who have been stranded in the country. From mobile service providers offering free calls to hotels providing free stays, here’s the key information to know if you’re a GCC citizen stranded in Saudi Arabia.
King Salman approves hosting stranded GCC citizens at Saudi airports
This comes after the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, approved, upon the proposal of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, to host all stranded GCC nationals and citizens at airports across the Kingdom, per Saudi Gazette.
The royal directive provides for receiving citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar, who are currently stranded in Saudi airports and ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to host and accommodate them.
Numbers to call
- Police: 999
- Ambulance/Saudi Red Crescent: 997
- Fire/Civil Defence: 998
- General Emergency: 911
- Natural Disasters: 966
- Border Guard: 994
- Highway Patrol: 996
- Electricity Emergency/Saudi Electricity Company: 933
- Water Emergency/National Water Company: 939
- Traffic Accidents (Najm): 9200 000 560
- Passports Directorate – Jawazat (also for stranded GCC citizens at Saudi airports): 992
Hotels providing free accommodation
- Narcissus The Royal Hotel
- Aber City Centre Hotel
- Boudl Abha
- Boudl Al-Wurood
- Braira Al Dammam Hotel
-
Boudl Buraydah (Qassim)
Read the statement here
Accounts to follow for official updates
- Saudi Press Agency: @spagov
- Ministry of Interior: @MOISaudiArabia
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: @KSAmofaEN
- Ministry of Defence: @modgovksa
Free mobile/calling services
In line with the generous royal directive, the following mobile service providers have announced that for three days, GCC citizens and residents stranded in the Kingdom and Saudi residents and citizens stranded outside the Kingdom can call back home free of charge.
- stc
- Mobily
- Zain
Travel updates
Trips from Dubai to Riyadh
If you’re a Saudi resident or citizen stuck in Dubai, there are daily buses travelling from Dubai to Saudi Arabia via GH Trips. The service is available for major cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Dammam, and Khobar. You pick between buses, cars, and SUVs.
Visit: ghtrips.com
King Fahd Causeway
The King Fahd Causeway, one of the main travel routes between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain, remains operational, with no disruptions reported in either direction.
Images: What’s On Archives
