Message for U.S. Citizens – April 7, 2020
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Event: The U.S. Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has arranged with Saudi authorities and Saudia Airlines to offer limited commercial flights from the Kingdom to the United States during the period that regular commercial service is suspended to help contain the COVID-19 virus.
A Saudia Airlines flight has been scheduled to depart Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 10. It is scheduled to arrive at Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), in Dulles, Virginia, at approximately 4:50 PM EST on April 10.
The U.S. Mission continues to work with Saudi authorities on additional flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, but such flights cannot be guaranteed, and none are currently scheduled. Any future flights will be announced via the STEP system and through the Mission’s website and American Citizens Services Twitter account.
Booking for the April 10 flight will be conducted exclusively through the process described below. Do not contact Saudia about this flight.
Tickets will be available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) of the United States and their spouses and minor children; U.S. citizen minors may be accompanied by one non-U.S. citizen guardian who holds a valid visa. A limited number of seats will also be available for foreign nationals with valid U.S. work, immigrant, or fiancé visas. This flight will be available to persons currently located in the Riyadh consular district, which is comprised of the provinces of Riyadh, Hail, Qassim, Jawf, and Al Hudud as Samaliyya.
Persons who meet the criteria established above and wish to travel on this flight should immediately complete the online survey at https://bit.ly/2xTpQ3a. A form should be completed for each individual traveler and forms should be filled out for this flight even if you have filled out a form for a previous flight. Do not submit the form multiple times. The forms are automatically returned to the U.S. Embassy which will review the information and pass it to Saudia; a representative of Saudia will then call the passenger to arrange purchase of tickets. Persons who fill out the form should provide a local Saudi phone number, if at all possible, so that the airline can quickly and effectively reach them. If Saudia is unable to reach the number after several calls, it will send a WhatsApp message to the number. If for any reason you are unable to complete the form, please send an e-mail to RiyadhRepat@state.gov.
Persons interested in the April 10 flight who are in the Riyadh consular district, but outside the greater metropolitan Riyadh area, should complete the form and then immediately send an email to RiyadhRepat@state.gov to discuss transportation options to reach the airport without violating curfew or restrictions on inter-provincial travel.
While pricing is being finalized, Saudia advises that economy class tickets will cost approximately 7,000 SAR each and business class tickets approximately 16,000 SAR each and will be non-refundable. Saudia is also finalizing luggage and pet polices for this flight and will discuss these with passengers as they are called.
All travelers must be properly documented to enter the United States. Travelers are responsible for completing required Saudi exit/reentry permit procedures prior to travel (please see the March 30 Health Alert); it will not be possible to complete these procedures at the airport. As noted in the Alert, prospective passengers should consider CDC guidance on international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, review health conditions at their final destination, and bear in mind that a return to Saudi Arabia will not be possible until full commercial service has been restored.
**Please note: Health screening will be conducted prior to embarkation and anyone with flu-like symptoms or a fever will not be allowed to board a flight and should not come to the airport.
The CDC advises travelers arriving from Saudi Arabia to stay home, monitor their health, and practice social distancing for 14 days after they arrive in the United States. Information regarding screening upon arrival at Dulles International Airport can be found at https://www.flydulles.com/iad/dulles-international-airport-traveler-update-covid-19-coronavirus-0.
Passengers on this flight continuing to a destination outside the Washington D.C. area should book onward flights before leaving Saudi Arabia. Given the screening procedures upon arrival, they should plan extra time to make connections.
Actions to Take:
• Register in STEP and encourage other Americans to do so.
• Ensure your passport is valid and you have funds to purchase a ticket.
• Complete any Saudi exit permit/visa formalities if you wish to travel.
• Cooperate with public policies designed to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
• Stay abreast of local news and information concerning travel restrictions.
• For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
• Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
• Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Saudi Arabia.
• Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest restrictions on travel to the United States.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Riyadh
Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah As Sahmi Street Roundabout no. 9, Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (966) (11) 488-3800
Emergency Telephone: (966) (11) 488-3800
Fax: (966) (11) 488-7670
U.S. Consulate General Jeddah
Al Safa Street, Al Muhammadiyah District, near the new American School building.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Phone: (966) (12) 220-5000
Emergency Telephone: (966) (12) 220-5000
Fax: (966) (12) 220-5093
U.S. Consulate General Dhahran
Between KFUPM and King Abdulaziz Airbase, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (966) (13) 330-3200
Emergency Telephone: (966) (13) 330-3200
Fax: (966) (13) 330-6816
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Saudi Arabia Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
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