Health Alert: Upcoming Eid Holiday Closures and Update on American Citizen Services

Message for U.S. Citizens – July 19, 2020  

Location: Saudi Arabia 

Event:  The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and the U.S. Consulates General in Dhahran and Jeddah will be closed from Sunday, August 2, through Thursday, August 6, for the Eid-al-Adha holidays, resuming operations on Sunday, August 9.

For emergencies requiring immediate assistance, please contact appropriate local Saudi authorities.  First responders can be reached at:

Police:  999
Fire: 998
Ambulance: 997
Abuse Hotline: 1919
Child Protective Services: 116111

During evenings, weekends, and holiday periods, U.S. citizens can call the nearest embassy or consulate and reach a duty officer for assistance with emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week. See contact information at the bottom of this message.

Important Hajj Information: This year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage is expected to take place between July 28 and August 2. On June 23, 2020, Saudi authorities announced that participation in this year’s Hajj will be limited to a small number of individuals who are already in Saudi Arabia. The U.S. Embassy and the Consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran are not involved in either the selection process for American citizens or the issuance of Hajj permits. On July 13, the Ministry of Interior announced steep fines for anyone entering a Hajj site without the proper Hajj permit. American citizens who may be interested in participating in the Hajj should review the Mission’s COVID-19 information page for Hajj-specific guidance, including from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the State Department’s Hajj and Ummrah page.                                           

Additionally, contact information for The National Tawafa Establishment for Pilgrims of Turkey and Muslims of Europe, Americas, and Australia can be found below:      

Address:

Street Address: Mecca Al Mukarramah, Al Nuzha Road, near Alnuzha Bridge

Telephone: +966-920-012-013, Mobile: +966-505-608-150

Fax:  966-920-006-620

Website: http://www.teaa.com.sa/

Health Affairs

012-530-8812

Lost Pilgrims

012-530-8813

Update on American Citizen Services: The Mission would like to remind U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia of services available from the Consular Sections at U.S. Embassy Riyadh and Consulates General Jeddah and Dhahran during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Mission is making extensive use of social media to interact with the American community in an efficient, timely fashion. In addition to enrolling in the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and monitoring the U.S. Mission website, all American citizens are encouraged to follow the Mission’s American Citizens Services Twitter account (@KSA_ACS).

Given staffing restrictions and public health protocols in place in workspace and public waiting areas at the Mission’s three posts, all routine visa services are suspended and only limited American citizen services (ACS) are available at this time. Such services include responding to deaths, arrests, or providing assistance in other extreme situations; assisting in repatriation to the United States; and emergency passport renewal and notarial assistance. All requests for passport and notarial services must be made by email to the respective ACS Unit and applicants should anticipate significantly longer appointment wait times than usual.

The U.S. Mission’s consular sections remain available to accept urgent phone calls involving the life and safety of American citizens, but we request that all other communications be made by email (see contact information at the bottom of this message) until further notice. As noted, all routine visa services, including for immigrant visas, have been suspended, and the Mission does not accept calls about visa matters. It is helpful to include names and passport numbers for yourself and other family members and additional contact information, such as phone numbers, in your email communications with us. 

Actions to Take:

Register inSTEPand encourage other Americans to do so.
Follow the U.S. Mission’sACS Twitter account.
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 theCDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit theCOVID-19 crisis pageon travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Visit ourEmbassy webpage on COVID-19for information on conditions in Saudi Arabia.
Visit theDepartment of Homeland Security’s websiteon the latest restrictions on travel to the United States.