Message for U.S. Citizens – April 12, 2020
Location: 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.
Saudia Airlines has announced additional flights to the United States departing the Kingdom this week:
- On Tuesday, April 14, SV 23 is scheduled to depart Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) at 9:30 AM and arrive at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at 3:30 PM EST.
- On Friday, April 17, SV 23 is scheduled to depart Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) at 9:00 AM and arrive at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport at 3:30 PM EST.
- On Friday, April 17, SV 35 is scheduled to depart Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport at 10:30 AM and arrive at Washington-Dulles International Airport at 4:50 PM EST.
Booking Instructions:
Booking for these flights will be conducted exclusively through Saudia’s call center, which can be reached at 014 847 9748 and 014 849 9531 within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or by WhatApp at 055 673 3500. Tickets will be available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States (LPRs), and other foreign nationals. All travelers must be appropriately documented to enter to the United States.
Required Documentation:
Passengers must have completed all required Saudi exit procedures before arriving at the airport (please see the March 30 health alert on this topic); it will not be possible to complete these procedures at the airport. U.S. citizens who wish to take any of these flights, and who also have Saudi nationality and entered the Kingdom on a Saudi passport, should contact the nearest American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit at the email address below for guidance before booking a ticket.
Transportation:
U.S. citizens and LPRs within Riyadh and Jeddah should email proof of ticketing to the nearest ACS Unit to receive a letter from the U.S. Mission stating that they are a ticketed passenger on a repatriation flight that can be presented at checkpoints on the way to the airport.
U.S. citizens and LPRs outside Riyadh and Jeddah who are interested in these flights should confirm they will be able to arrive at the airport under current movement restrictions before purchasing a ticket.
Passengers outside these cities who have residence permits (“iqamas”) may request authorization to travel to the airport from the Saudi Ministry of Interior.
U.S. citizens outside these cities with visas who wish to take these flights should contact the appropriate American Citizens Service (ACS) Unit at the email address below to discuss options.
Some American citizens outside the Jeddah area have successfully used the Zaer bus company to reach Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport. Interested persons should contact the company’s operations center at 0555077291 and 0530998291 at least 24 hours before departure.
Other Considerations:
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. The CDC advises travelers on flights from Saudi Arabia to self-isolate for 14 days after they arrive in the United States.
Passengers who will take a connecting flight from either IAD or JFK should allow extra time for COVID-19 related screening procedures upon arrival.
All passengers should carefully review the Tips for Repatriation Flights portion of the U.S. Mission’s COVID-19 information page.
**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
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.
For Assistance Contact:
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
RiyadhACS@state.gov
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
JeddahACS@state.gov
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
DhahranACS@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Saudi Arabia Country Information
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